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We’re proud to share that dbsorb’s Glue-Free Mounting Systems have been awarded Bronze in the Sustainable Product Design category at the 2025 Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards.
It’s an incredible recognition of our ongoing mission to make acoustic systems that sound good, look good, and do good for the planet.
Rethinking the Way Interiors Are Made
The idea behind our Glue-Free Mounting Systems was simple: what if acoustic panels didn’t need glue?
For decades, adhesives and permanent fixings have been the norm, convenient at first but messy, wasteful, and damaging in the long run. When glued panels are removed, they often tear off wall linings, leaving behind plaster damage, waste, and repair work that could have been avoided entirely.
We knew there had to be a better way.
So, we designed one.
Our mounting systems replace adhesives with durable, reusable clips that allow panels to be installed, removed, and reused again and again. It’s a small shift with a big impact: less waste, less damage, and more flexibility for how interior spaces can evolve over time.
By default, every dbsorb system supports a circular, adaptable approach to design. The result is not just a better acoustic product, but a better way to build.
From Concept to Craft: Made in New Zealand
What makes this recognition even more meaningful is that it celebrates local innovation. Every dbsorb mounting system is designed and made right here in New Zealand, supported by a team of engineers, fabricators, and designers who care deeply about what they create.
Behind the awards night smiles featuring Adam Rangeley, Alex Korzh, Marc Michel, Danielle Higgison, and Benedict Drayton is the wider dbsorb team at our factory, who bring these ideas to life with precision, craftsmanship, and care.
This Bronze win belongs to all of them.
A Step Toward a Smarter, Circular Future
The Glue-Free Mounting System isn’t just a product, it’s part of a larger movement within dbsorb to embed sustainability into every layer of what we do.
From reusing PET materials in our panels to finding creative ways to reduce offcuts and extend material lifecycles, our focus has always been on doing more with less without compromising beauty or performance.
This system is already helping architects, designers, and builders across New Zealand and Australia meet sustainability goals with smarter, cleaner installs and interiors that are easier to adapt, reuse, and recycle over time.
See It in Action
You can explore the full project entry here:
dbsorb Glue-Free Mounting Systems | Best Design Awards
Or dive into our case studies to see how these systems perform in real-world spaces, from modular classrooms to creative studios and multi-level offices.
Thank You
A huge thank you to our team, collaborators, and the Designers Institute of New Zealand for recognising the importance of sustainable innovation in our industry.
We’re proud to stand alongside so many talented designers pushing boundaries for a more circular, thoughtful built environment.
Here’s to quiet progress and many more sustainable designs to come.
Next Read
Explore how dbsorb’s acoustic systems supported one of New Zealand’s most ambitious sustainable fit-outs - the Meridian Energy Headquarters, a Living Building Challenge project set within a restored heritage landmark. Read More: Meridian Energy HQ Case Study.
