Ristomil Restaurant

Project: Ristomil Restaurant

Country/city: Italy / Milan

Photographer: Gian Maria Garuti

The issue of poor acoustics is becoming more common nowadays, not just in homes, but also in public spaces like bars and restaurants. Sometimes we are struck by annoying noise as soon as we enter a restaurant, sometimes the conversation around the table is hindered, and sometimes we are disturbed by conversations taking place at other tables.

These problems were tackled by Ecophon in the Ristomil restaurant, located in the Lorenteggio area of Milan. The

Ristomil restaurant is a popular meeting place for employees of SAINT-GOBAIN and other offices in the vicinity. It seats up to 188 diners and is always very busy, thanks to the quality of the cuisine, the excellent service and the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. 

However, the restaurant, like every other enclosed space, acts almost like a sound box, where the walls (especially if glazed) reflect sounds. The restaurant owners had become aware of a certain degree of customer discontent over the background noise, which made conversation at the table difficult. 

Moreover, staff had begun to be affected by the noise, reporting increased fatigue and headaches during working hours. In an effort to meet the various needs, the owners, Massimiliano and Lorenzo, turned to Ecophon and started working with the company on a study of the restaurant. 

The acoustic project that followed involved the installation of several free-hanging units: square and circular panels, positioned above the tables. The installation of the 48 glass wool panels led to a clear decrease in background noise levels as well as reverberation time. This significantly improved the overall acoustics in the restaurant, creating a more relaxed atmosphere, noted by both customers and staff. 

In the end, the improved acoustics of the restaurant enhanced the wellbeing of both staff and diners, boosting service efficiency as well as customer satisfaction.