Skip to content
If you're working on a Green Star project in New Zealand, you already know this: acoustics are not a finishing touch. They are a compliance requirement.
To meet New Zealand Green Star acoustic requirements, you need early modelling, clear performance targets, the right materials, and tight coordination through construction.
At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora E Tū Wairua Hinengaro – Mason Clinic forensic mental health facility in Auckland, dbsorb was specified across a large portion of the acoustic treatment in this new IL3 mental health facility. The project achieved a 5 Star Design & As Built NZ v1.0 rating under the New Zealand Green Building Council framework.
Here’s what that looked like in practice.
First, What Does Green Star Actually Require for Acoustics?
Under Green Star Design & As Built NZ, acoustics sit within Indoor Environment Quality credits. Most projects need to demonstrate performance across three areas:
1. Internal Noise Levels
Control background noise from services and external sources.
2. Reverberation and Comfort
Manage echo and reflected sound so speech is clear, and spaces feel calm.
3. Acoustic Separation
Limit sound transfer between rooms.
These targets usually align with AS/NZS 2107:2016, which sets recommended noise and reverberation levels for healthcare, education and commercial buildings.
In healthcare settings, reverberation control is especially important. Too much echo affects speech clarity. It can also increase stress. In a mental health environment, that matters.
Designing for Te Whatu Ora E Tū Wairua Hinengaro – Mason Clinic
The Mason Clinic redevelopment was designed by Klein and constructed by Southbase.
It spans around 10,000 square metres across three storeys. The facility includes 60 inpatient beds across different security levels and is classified as Importance Level 3.
From day one, the building needed to be:
- Safe and tamper resistant.
- Durable under hospital-grade cleaning.
- Calm and non-clinical.
- Acoustically controlled.
dbsorb was brought in to provide acoustic treatment across many of the wall applications throughout the project.
In this setting, acoustics were not just about compliance. They shaped how the building feels.
Echo makes a space feel hard and impersonal. Absorption softens it. That link between sound and emotion drove many of the design decisions.
Setting Acoustic Targets Early
One of the biggest lessons from this project is simple.
If you want to meet Green Star NZ acoustic criteria, set your targets early.
For Mason Clinic, performance benchmarks were aligned with AS/NZS 2107:2016 before detailed documentation progressed. That meant:
- Clear internal noise targets
- Defined reverberation time requirements
- Confidence that the acoustic strategy would meet submission criteria
This avoided late design changes and protected the original intent.
Why dbsorb Was Selected
Material choice played a big role in supporting both acoustic and Green Star goals.
dbsorb panels used on the project are:
- 100% PET with up to 60% recycled content
- Fire compliant to ISO 9705-2003 Group 1
- Low VOC
- Tested for harmful substances
- Durable and scratch resistant
In a secure healthcare facility, finishes are regularly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. The acoustic treatment needed to withstand that long term.
Custom printing was used instead of inlay systems. This reduced the number of panel joints. Fewer joints meant better durability, improved tamper resistance, and cleaner visual outcomes.
It also reduced material complexity, which supports responsible product thinking under Green Star.
Acoustic Design Decisions That Made a Difference
Wall absorption played a key role in managing reverberation throughout corridors and shared areas.
Several detailing decisions were important:
- Shallow grooves created texture without creating pry points
- Tight tolerances between panel joints reduced visible gaps
- Corner caps protected vulnerable edges
- Decorative grooves were limited to lower-risk zones
No exposed edges were allowed in high-risk areas. That required precise colour matching to adjacent painted surfaces, so transitions felt intentional and seamless.
The goal was simple. Deliver the required acoustic performance while keeping the environment warm and human.
Protecting Acoustic Performance During Construction
Meeting Green Star requirements on paper is one thing. Delivering them on site is another.
Strong coordination between dbsorb, the architect, contractor, and installers were critical. This included close collaboration with the installers.
A few practical things made a big difference:
- Clear and consistent documentation labelling
- Tight correlation between drawings and panel layouts
- Early communication to reduce site cutting and offcuts
- Installer feedback when custom jigs were needed
Small adjustments during design reduced waste and improved installation efficiency. That protected both acoustic performance and material efficiency.
Efficient design supported efficient installation. It sounds obvious, but it only works when everyone is aligned.
What This Project Reinforced for Us at dbsorb
If you're working toward a 5 Star Green building in New Zealand, here are the practical takeaways:
- Engage acoustic modelling early
- Define measurable RT60 and noise targets before documentation
- Select materials that support IEQ and responsible product credits
- Detail carefully in high-risk environments
- Reduce joints where possible to improve durability
- Keep documentation clear and consistent
- Stay closely connected to the install team
For dbsorb, this project reinforced something important.
We are not just supplying panels. We are contributing to acoustic performance, material efficiency, and long-term durability in buildings where those factors genuinely matter.
At E Tū Wairua Hinengaro – Mason Clinic, that contribution formed part of a 5 Star Green outcome and, more importantly, a calmer and more dignified therapeutic environment.
