We live in the age of information. Our modern lives are made possible through our access to technology. The world is driven by data and supported by science. But we are still, for all that, physical beings. It is through our senses that we live and move, that we understand and experience and engage with the world around us. That means that our external environment has a profound impact on our internal world. There can be little inner peace when the outer world is chaos, clamor, and confusion.
FSorb provides great value in this context. Through its innovative and highly customizable product lines, FSorb makes it possible to efficiently, affordably, and effectively design spaces that are both functional and comfortable for the senses. From their soothing colors to their appealing shapes and textures, FSorb products not only support a peaceful soundscape but are also visually appealing.
The result is a workspace that is both productive and calming, a dining and entertainment environment that is inviting and enjoyable, and learning and healing spaces that are healthy and functional.
But what is the connection between the external environment and the inner world of mind and spirit? How can our senses shape our physical and mental well-being? What role do FSorb’s acoustic solutions play in creating spaces that support health, comfort, and functionality from the outside in?
Calms the Nervous System
Whether we realize it or not, our central nervous system (CNS) is always on the alert. Even when we’re in the most “Zen” state of relaxation or in the deepest sleep, our bodies are receiving stimuli from the world around us. Our skin remains receptive to touch and responsive to changes in the ambient environment, from the temperature of the room to the humidity levels in the air.
Our olfactory sense is constantly transmitting sensory input to the most primitive parts of our brain, those sectors responsible for keeping us alive no matter the danger. This is why you can be awakened from a deep slumber at the smell of smoke in the air.
Then there’s the sense of hearing, the ever-vigilant auditory processing system that keeps us attuned to the sounds of the world around us. This is what allows young mothers to hear their infant's softest whimper from two rooms away. It’s what enables a firefighter to leap from REM sleep to instant alertness when the alarm rings.
The central nervous system is always receiving and processing sensory stimuli, absorbing and interpreting sights, smells, sounds, and sensations to keep ourselves and the people nearest us out of harm’s way. Yet, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
From transit noise to the clutter of our own multitasking (and self-criticizing) brains, the central nervous system is inundated with stimuli that serve very little purpose. Loud noises in our modern world very rarely signal danger. Obnoxious smells may be uncomfortable, but they don’t often signal a threat and unpleasant sights might make for an equally unpleasant experience of a space, but they rarely cause immediate harm. However, what they do is burden your central nervous system with false alarms of dangers that don’t really exist and that quickly becomes confusing, discomfiting, and downright exhausting.
Though excessive ambient noise has been shown to take a profound and persistent toll on your physical and mental health, the opposite is also true. Studies increasingly demonstrate the power of an optimal soundscape to improve your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Quiet spaces can be incredibly healing for the mind, body, and spirit because, fundamentally, they offer our overburdened central nervous systems some much-needed TLC. Additionally, researchers have found that colors, textures, and patterns that are inspired by or resemble natural elements enhance mood and reduce stress, hence the increasing popularity of biophilic design.
As the amount of sensory input decreases, so too does the CNS’ stress response. The visual and auditory processing systems are no longer flooded with sights and sounds that may indicate danger. The body and brain recognize that you’ve entered a place of peace, calm, and safety, and so you can, at last, be still and serene.
So, we have intentionally created products that soothe multiple senses. With FSorb’s wide range of customizable acoustic solutions, you can create a space that is not only quieter but also a delight to behold. The soft textures and natural variations in the fibers of the FSorb products echo those found in the natural world, with the subtle variations in shape, texture, and hue that make natural elements so soothing. This combination of noise mitigation and visual stimuli that enable a positive physiological response, a sense of relaxation and wellbeing, results in a space that is at once inviting and functional.
Supports Productivity and Creativity
Let’s face it: when your CNS is in overdrive and you’ve entered a perpetual stress response, surging with cortisol and adrenaline and constantly in fight-or-flight mode, you’re simply not going to perform at your best. The evidence shows that workers who are exposed to excessive noise at work are less productive and have significantly more trouble learning new skills, performing high-level cognitive processes, and retaining and recalling information. All this, of course, is on top of the myriad physical and mental harms associated with sensory overload. Whether you work in a factory, an office, a school, or a hospital, the physical environment in which you work - and the soundscape in particular - will inevitably impact your productivity and performance.
It’s not only that a noisy and distracting environment makes it difficult to focus. It’s also that when your CNS is overwhelmed, your body is in a stressed state, and you’re battling distractions left and right, creative thinking is next to impossible.
At the most basic level, the anxiety of such a state takes a toll on your self-confidence and when you’re feeling self-critical, your capacity to think creatively and tolerate the risks that come with taking creative risks will suffer. You just can’t innovate or problem-solve effectively when you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and insecure.
In contrast, when you have the time to sit back, relax, and breathe, you can find answers and strength in the stillness. This is the value of FSorb’s customizable solutions, with easy-to-install products that can be configured to your exact specifications and modified to align with your evolving needs.
The FSorb Success Story Continues
From the patented grid systems to its eco-friendly materials, FSorb has long been a trailblazer in acoustic design. Their new product lines only extend and amplify FSorb’s storied history of innovation. These include:
Serenicloud: Available in a wide range of shapes, colors, and patterns, these ceiling panels and tiles are ideal for creating zones of sound in multipurpose areas such as healthcare settings, restaurants, open-plan office spaces, hotel lobbies, art, and exhibition spaces.
Shikiri: These panels and screens enable you to optimize your noise mitigation strategy in an entire room or by creating subdivided spaces through the use of ceiling-mounted grid and cable suspension systems. You can choose from an array of style options so that your sound treatment blends into the background of your decor or stands front and center through their premium colors, wood grain prints, and scored and through-cut patterns featuring geometric or nature-inspired designs.
Tairu: These panels are available in ½” thickness and offer a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) value of 0.50. You can select them in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, from 6” to 24” inches in diameter. With more than 24 colors and patterns, 17 shapes, and endless configurations, the only limit is your imagination.
Isolare: Allowing you to better hear and be heard during virtual meetings, Isolare is ideal if you need to create discrete spaces offering quiet, including work and study cubicles in offices, schools, and libraries. Isolare stands on surfaces such as tables and desks, and flattens easily for storage while also having a fully tackable surface.
In addition to the newest standouts on FSorb’s illustrious roster of acoustic solutions, you also have your choice of high-value, customizable, and multifunctional baffles, clouds, panels, and installation systems. Contact your local FSorb representative today to discuss how FSorb can bring value, efficacy, and style to your next acoustic design project.
At FSorb, we are motivated by improving human health and do so by creating eco-friendly acoustic products. Our mission is to help designers build beautiful spaces that reduce excess ambient noise while calming the human nervous system. With over 25 years in the acoustic business we stand behind FSorb as a durable, environmentally friendly, and low-cost product. If you want an acoustic solution that is safe to human health at an affordable price, then we are your resource.
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