Insights

From everyday tools to promising innovations:
a field at tipping point

To create a snapshot of current professional practice, a recent survey asked acousticians and architects whether sustainable acoustic materials are making their way into everyday building design, and – if not – what stands in the way.

The results revealed a field at a tipping point; on one hand there is widespread awareness and strong willingness to change, while on the other, their practical application in projects trails behind.

The headlines: awareness is abundant, use is uneven

More than 70% said they were familiar with sustainable acoustic materials, with a clear majority involved in specifying acoustic products – a promising base for change. Yet the translation from awareness to specification varies by profession: around 39% of acousticians actively seek out sustainable acoustic materials in their projects, whereas roughly 80% of the architectural respondents reported regular use. This mismatch suggests that knowledge alone does not guarantee consistent adoption across disciplines.

Figure 1: awareness versus efforts taken for both respondent groups.

Ready, but cautious?

Attitudes toward sustainable acoustic products were broadly positive. A third of acousticians often or always considers sustainable options, another third considers them occasionally, and about 38% rarely or never do.

Architectural professionals were more likely to integrate sustainability into their acoustic choices, with 80% often or always considering these materials. Importantly, around 90% of respondents from both groups expressed willingness to increase future use, provided that the key barriers are addressed.

Figure 2: current consideration versus future openness for both respondent groups.

What’s blocking the shift?

The study highlights several persistent hurdles that keep sustainable acoustic materials from mainstream adoption. Though product manufacturers are developing greener acoustic solutions, their real‑world use remains low, owing to a combination of:

• limited practical industry knowledge and accessible product performance information
• challenges in manufacturing scale and reproducibility for newer sustainable materials
• a shortage of integrated performance data combining acoustics, durability and sustainability credentials.

These gaps make it difficult for specifiers to confidently choose newer sustainable solutions when traditional products have longer performance track records.

Closing the gap

The findings suggest a classic innovation gap: awareness and intent exist, but the supporting ecosystem comprising of reliable data, product availability at scale, and clear cost/value narratives is incomplete. For sustainable acoustic materials to move beyond early adopters, the sector needs:

• better, independent performance data that links acoustic effectiveness to sustainability metrics
• scalable manufacturing processes to improve availability and reduce cost premiums
• clear guidance and case studies for practitioners demonstrating long‑term performance in real construction projects.

If manufacturers, researchers, and professional bodies collaborate to close these gaps, the high level of professional willingness identified in the survey could translate quickly into broader uptake.

Practical next steps

Building teams and specifiers wanting to act now should begin by demanding integrated product information during procurement. They should test sustainable acoustic materials in pilot projects and document performance outcomes. Professional societies can accelerate change by curating evidence, publishing practical guidance, and helping members navigate trade‑offs between acoustic performance, durability, cost, and sustainability.

Now to build momentum

The survey paints a cautiously optimistic picture; professionals know about sustainable acoustic materials and want to use them, but industry momentum depends on better data, production scale and accessible guidance.

With those ingredients, sustainable acoustic solutions could move from promising innovations to everyday tools for quieter, greener buildings.

Data sets: the lowdown

Between 5 June and 5 September 2025, the cross‑sectional questionnaire captured knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), plus perceived barriers among professionals involved in specifying acoustic materials for buildings. The survey combined close and open-ended questions, was pre‑tested for clarity and relevance, and avoided collection of sensitive personal data. Participants gave informed consent and the project met institutional data‑protection screening requirements.

Drawing 102 responses, overwhelmingly (about 90%) from acoustics professionals including acoustic consultants, and noise control and vibration specialists, with the rest coming from professions such as architecture and interior design. Most acoustic respondents were early to mid‑career, while the architects tended to be more mid‑career. Participants were approached through professional bodies, including the Institute of Acoustics and the Royal Institute of British Architects.