Acoustics play a vital role in creating a humane care environment

Completed in autumn 2025, the new central hospital for Kanta-Häme in southern Finland has a gross floor area of almost 78,000 m² and brings together a wide range of specialised medical care, emergency services, delivery and paediatric care, outpatient consultations, surgical and inpatient units, as well as primary healthcare and oral healthcare. The building also includes facilities for rescue services and emergency medical services.

Soili Hietasola-Husu, a design specialist at the Wellbeing Services County of Kanta-Häme, was involved in the Assi project for nine years. She describes it as an exceptional undertaking.

“Projects of this scale rarely come along during a person’s career. A strong focus on patients and users drove the project forward, and the views of end users were heard extensively throughout the design process. As a design specialist, my role was to ensure that the building and its solutions genuinely support day-to-day work – both now and in the future,” says Hietasola-Husu.

Bright, welcoming and functional

The hospital, which opened to the public in spring 2026, was designed and built by the Ahvenisto Hospital Alliance. The alliance comprised the Wellbeing Services County of Kanta-Häme, Skanska, Sweco and the Team Integrated architectural consortium, which included ONE Architects, Harris-Kjisik Architects and Sweco Architects.

Lead architect of the project, Nina Väistö from ONE Architects, says that one of the principal design objectives was to create spaces that support recovery and wellbeing in a holistic way, for both patients and employees. Warm-toned finishes and materials, together with views through large windows, help give Assi a calm and welcoming atmosphere that differs from a conventional clinical hospital environment.

“The hospital’s humane character is reflected in its technical solutions, material choices, forms, colours and, above all, light. One of the most important architectural principles supporting the building’s functionality was to bring natural light into even the deepest interior spaces,” Väistö explains.

“Users were closely involved in the design process, and solutions were considered from the perspective of everyday activities. Functional requirements, care pathways and logistics were all carefully planned to ensure that the facilities genuinely meet users’ needs.”

Good acoustics are essential to a well-functioning hospital

In a hospital, the sound environment affects many aspects of the user experience at the same time, including the sense of calm, the efficiency of work, privacy and the overall comfort of the facilities. At Assi, acoustics were considered throughout the project as an integral part of a well-functioning care environment.

“The needs of both patients and staff came to the fore during the design phase. For patient rooms, the aim was to create a calm environment where people could rest and recover without unnecessary disturbance. Staff, meanwhile, highlighted the need for concentration and clear communication in different areas of the hospital,” says Soili Hietasola-Husu.

The sound environment was also recognised as important not only for wellbeing but for privacy and confidentiality. In a hospital, it is essential to prevent speech from travelling uncontrollably between spaces.

Acoustic design at the heart of a complex project

Assi contains a wide variety of spaces, ranging from extremely quiet sleep-study rooms to noisy MRI suites and mechanical rooms. Acoustic requirements therefore varied considerably from one area to another.

“The sound environment played a major role in the project. It affected practically every area, and acoustic design was included from the earliest stages. Assi has an exceptionally broad range of spaces and acoustic requirements, which made the project both highly interesting and demanding. The sound environment was taken seriously, and the acoustician’s contribution was valued – something that cannot be taken for granted in every project,” says Matias Remes, Head of Design in Acoustic Services at Sitowise Oy, who had been involved in the project since 2017.

According to Remes, the overall aim was to create comfortable spaces without unnecessary noise. In treatment and clinical areas in particular, high-performance ceiling absorption was a priority.

Almost 50,000 m² of sound-absorbing Ecophon and Gyptone ceiling systems were supplied for Assi. The products used included Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ Plus A, Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ A, Ecophon Hygiene Clinic™ A, Ecophon Hygiene Meditec™ A, Ecophon Gedina™ A and E, Ecophon Focus™ A, Ecophon Master™ SQ, Ecophon Super™ G A, B and SQ, Extra Bass, Ecophon Industry™ Modus TAL and Gyptone Quattro 20 A. The extensive product range made it possible to select an acoustic solution suited to the function and requirements of each space.

“For example, acoustic panels used in an operating theatre and a public area may look similar, but their performance characteristics can be very different. In areas with stringent hygiene requirements, it is essential to be confident that the panels will not release unwanted particles into the room. Cleaning methods also place specific demands on the product surfaces,” explains Tiia Huuskonen, Healthcare Concept Developer at Ecophon.

Acoustic panel performance put to the test

In a hospital environment, acoustic solutions must meet more than acoustic requirements alone. Materials must withstand demanding cleaning procedures and form part of a safe, hygienic environment. At Assi, performance was not assessed solely on the basis of manufacturers’ claims: the solutions were tested under practical conditions.

“The tests were carried out under conditions that were as realistic as possible. Ceiling panels and other surfaces were deliberately soiled with substances including blood, ketchup, mustard and other stains. Their cleanability was then assessed using the cleaning agents and disinfectants used in hospitals,” says Jaana Helenius, Development Manager for Service Production Support Services at Oma Häme.

According to Helenius, the purpose of the testing was to verify that the products performed as promised. Operating theatres and delivery rooms, in particular, place exceptional demands on the cleanability of suspended ceilings.

“In an operating theatre, blood really can reach the ceiling. Another specific requirement was that the materials had to withstand stronger chlorine-based disinfectants. Although these are now primarily used in exceptional circumstances, such as during infection outbreaks or epidemics, the materials still need to tolerate them,” Helenius says.

For this reason, attention at Assi was paid not only to the panels but to the performance of the entire suspended ceiling system. Helenius explains that the testing team also carefully assessed whether the grid systems and profiles could withstand the same cleaning procedures as the panels themselves.

“An acoustic suspended ceiling is a complete system, and the grid must not be overlooked. It was excellent that the people responsible for maintaining and cleaning the facilities at Assi were also involved in testing the materials. The Ecophon Hygiene™ product family includes a range of alternatives, and the testers helped identify the materials best suited to each type of space,” adds Tiia Huuskonen from Ecophon.

Reliable products and dependable deliveries were critical

In a large and demanding project, technical performance is only part of the equation. Reliable deliveries, efficient logistics, readily available product documentation and smooth cooperation between all parties are equally important.

Ceiling contractor Markku Hietikko, Unit Manager at Sisustus-Nummi Oy, highlights delivery reliability as a key aspect of the company’s cooperation with Ecophon. Material availability and logistics had to operate seamlessly throughout the project.

“This was the largest and most demanding project of my entire career as a suspended ceiling contractor. Deliveries were governed by a tight takt production schedule. For example, we were only able to bring in one week’s supply of finishing materials at a time. The size of the weekly work packages varied considerably, which placed major demands on site management. The logistics support from Ecophon operated with precision throughout the two-year installation phase, making our work much easier. Overall, the cooperation was straightforward and flexible,” says Hietikko.