Kuss

Acoustic Panels for Kušs panels

Kuss are sound absorption panels designed to bring calmness into homes, open offices and any other public spaces by absorbing the excessive noise. Panels are made out of ecological and non-toxic composite by using organic rich lake sediments, sapropel as a binder, mixed with natural fibres. The extraction of sapropel helps to improve the quality of freshwater resources and lake ecosystems. By using the extracted sapropel in design production, both the noisy city environment and the ecosystem of a lake are improved.

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Kuss by Estere Savicka

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Acoustic Panels by Estere Savicka

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Estere Savicka Kuss

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Estere Savicka Acoustic Panels

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Kušs panelsBrand Logo

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Kuss Acoustic Panels Press Releases

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Kuss Acoustic Panels Media Articles

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Unique Properties

‘'Kušs'' are sound absorption panels designed to bring calmness into homes, open offices and any other public spaces by absorbing the excessive noise. Panels are made out of ecological and non-toxic composite by using organic-rich lake sediments - sapropel as a binder, mixed with natural fibres. The extraction of sapropel helps to improve the quality of freshwater resources and lake ecosystems. ‘'Kušs'' panels can be used for covering entire walls or as a freely assembled art piece.

Tags

acoustic, natural, lake, noise, sapropel, fibres, Kušs, water, sediments, panels

Production Technology

The essential element of this project is sapropel. It is formed from residues of plankton and rests of benthos with the addition of mineral matter from the basin of the water body. In Latvia, there are vast sapropel resources. The extraction of sapropel is essential in achieving the recovery aims of eutrophic water bodies, and sapropel mining is a means to restore the quality of water. By mixing it with different natural fibres, solid materials with different qualities can be produced.

Design Challenge

The main challenge of this project was producing a solid material by using sapropel as the only binder, without any other additions and using only natural, renewable or recycled fillers. The necessity for the panels to be solid and to hold their own weight and also function as absorbents added to the difficulty. However, the aim was achieved with even better results than originally expected. Panels excellently hold their weight and reach class B in sound absorption.

Project Duration

The project started in 2017 in Riga, Latvia and has since been under constant development.

Operation Flow

Panels come in two similar patterns that create a continuous ornament. They can be joined together as one set and then hung onto the surface, mounted only with the top and bottom part of the set. This prevents the wall from being damaged with glue stains or drilling holes. These properties allow for the overall appearance of the wall to be changed by rearranging the panels by also hanging them upside down. The air gap created between the wall and Kušs panels increases the sound absorption level.

Research

The sound absorption ability of the composite material was tested by using transmission loss and impedance tube in the laboratory of acoustics in Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering. Long-term research has been done on the type of sapropel that is used in Kušs panels by researchers in University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science.

Inspiration

The functionality and sustainability of Kušs panels are a result of a collaboration between Vaira Obuka, an environmental sciences researcher and a young architect Estere Savicka. Vaira was looking for a sustainable way to use the sapropel that is extracted from the lake. Carefully looking after the extraction and production process so that it is done ecologically. Estere was testing different filler options, improving the production process and designing the final product.

Image Credits

Photographer Ilze Zvēra

Project Overview

Kuss Acoustic Panels has been a Silver winner in the Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design award category in the year 2020 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Estere Savicka was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to excellence of their work Kuss Acoustic Panels.

Estere Savicka Press Releases

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Introducing Kušs: Sustainable Acoustic Panels by Estere Savicka

Meet Kušs, the innovative sound absorption panels designed to bring calmness into any space, made from ecological and non-toxic materials.

Estere Savicka Newsroom

Dive into Estere Savicka Newsroom to explore celebrated designs and projects.