Adding colour, texture, and depth to redefine the BMW retail experience

Autex Acoustics was able to create a custom design for the showroom that exceeded the acoustic brief of the project while meeting time and budget constraints. The bespoke solution was created using the Frontier™ Axis ceiling system in Herald contrasted with Frontier™ Raft in Savoy.  These are arranged in a grid format across the ceiling, allowing services to be hidden from view above the panels while remaining accessible for maintenance and repairs. The product is also easily installed, with a modular system saving time and money.

The solution also provided a valuable contribution to the showroom’s sustainability profile. “Sustainability is a big focus globally for BMW,” says Daniel. “That’s realised here in a number of ways- from our green wall in the delivery space, the solar panels on the roof, recycled water that’s used in our workshop and detailing facilities. All that is complemented by the acoustic solution on the ceiling.” The Autex Acoustics panels used in the project are composed of 118,593 recycled 600 ml bottles. That accounts for 12 tonnes of embodied carbon, which has been fully offset, to make the project carbon neutral.

Overall, the solution has well exceeded project requirements. “The feedback on the product has been great,” says Daniel. “It’s become a really nice design element in the space and forms an interesting backdrop that allows the beautiful metallics and colours of our vehicles to really take centre stage. And as this was a pilot showroom design, all the elements including the acoustics have been signed off by BMW in Australia, and also by BMW Munich, who have been happy with the look and feel of it as well. All of that has meant that it’s now part of an approved design for all the other dealerships to roll out.”