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At 1,600m above sea level, the Noodle Bar at Cardrona Alpine Resort is a high-traffic dining space in New Zealand’s largest ski area. It is a place where skiers and riders stop to refuel, thaw out, reconnect with friends, and rest tired legs between runs.
But like many alpine eateries, the architecture that makes it beautiful – tall pitched roofs, hard surfaces, wide open volumes – can make it incredibly echoey if acoustics are not integrated from the beginning. When spaces like this fill with dozens of people in ski boots, jackets, trays and chatter, the Lombard Effect kicks in: everyone unconsciously talks louder and louder just to be heard.
Three Sixty Architecture understood this risk from the outset. They prioritised acoustics early, collaborating closely with dbsorb to ensure the Noodle Bar would feel warm, calm and comfortable – not chaotic and noisy.
This case study is a great example of how early partnership saves time, reduces waste, improves material efficiency, and results in a better architectural outcome all round.
A full lunch rush: busy seating, energetic chatter, and the kind of hard-surface environment that normally amplifies echo. Acoustic planning upfront prevents the Lombard Effect and preserves a relaxing après-ski atmosphere.
The Challenge
The Noodle Bar needed an acoustic solution that could:
- Control reverberation in a tall, reflective alpine dining hall
- Integrate cleanly with the pitched roof geometry
- Withstand heavy daily use and a harsh mountain environment
- Minimise on-site trimming and installation time
- Reduce waste by optimising factory manufacturing
- Avoid unnecessary additional construction layers
With snow, weather and tight installation window, the team needed a system that was fast, logical and efficient.
The Solution
1. True collaboration from the very beginning
Three Sixty Architecture engaged dbsorb early in the design phase – allowing us to optimise material yield, simplify installation, and align our manufacturing process directly with the architectural drawings.
This is where the real value was unlocked:
- dbsorb optimised nesting from the architect’s setout, significantly reducing material offcuts.
- Fins were factory-cut to length and angle, eliminating guesswork on site.
- dbsorb pre-notched select fins and pre-cut templates for critical junctions before production to avoid trimming during install.
This level of collaboration meant fewer variations, fewer mistakes, minimal waste – and a clean, efficient build.
2. dbFin ™ + FinLock ™ fixed directly to purlins
Instead of requiring additional battens (the norm for most acoustic fin systems installed as an afterthought), the architect worked with our team to mount FinLock directly to the underside of the purlins.
This:
- Eliminated unnecessary framing
- Reduced cost
- Shortened the installation programme
- Maintained the clean roofline
- Delivered maximum sustainability through reduced materials
dbsorb also completed structural testing to determine how far each fin could cantilever past the purlin without sagging. The fins proved exceptionally stable when perpendicular.
The pitched alpine roof frames the mountain views, with acoustic fins mounted parallel to the roofline. Thoughtful placement ensures both visual rhythm and balanced sound in a bustling ski-field dining space.
3. Smart Construction Sequencing
dbsorb shipped the FinLock brackets early, so builders could install them while the site was still messy.
The fins were installed as the final step, ensuring:
- Clean panels
- No accidental damage or dust contamination
- A faster, smoother programme overall
This is a perfect example of how architect, builder and manufacturer alignment results in efficient construction.
4. Additional acoustic elements in the same project
Beyond ceiling fins, the Noodle Bar included:
- Vertical grooved Decosorb panels on select walls to control mid-frequency reflections
- Custom diamond mesh ceiling tiles with >70% open area
- This allowed sprinklers to remain in their original position
- Saving approximately $5,000 in avoided sprinkler reconfiguration
Together, the system created a warm, controlled acoustic environment while maintaining the space’s architectural clarity.
dbFin™ acoustic fins mounted directly to purlins using FinLock. No additional battens required, thanks to early collaboration with the architect and efficient material-first design.
The Result
The finished space feels warm, social and balanced, with clear speech and comfortable noise levels even during peak mealtimes. Skiers and riders can relax without shouting over the crowd, enhancing both the dining experience and the functionality of the space.
This project is a model of:
- Early acoustic consideration
- High-trust collaboration
- Efficient manufacturing
- Minimal waste
- Seamless architectural integration
A true partnership between architect, QS, client and manufacturer – delivering a calm, inviting dining hub at New Zealand’s biggest ski resort.
Acoustic fins are also a powerful way to introduce architectural expression with a dual purpose, working quietly in the background to reduce echo. Read how dbsorb created sculptural acoustics for an atrium feature wall in a shared office at B:Hive + Smales Farm.
Read the full case study here: AIA Acoustic Atrium Feature Wall.
