Designing for Wellness: Acoustic, Low-VOC & Biophilic Products that Support Healthy Spaces

Designing for Wellness: Acoustic, Low-VOC & Biophilic Products that Support Healthy Spaces

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the built environment — and it sounds like wellness.

As the demand for buildings that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being continues to rise, wellness architecture is no longer reserved for day spas and retreat centres. From workplaces to schools and healthcare settings, the push to design healthier spaces is reshaping how we think about materials, finishes, and functionality.

At Decor Systems, we’re big believers that good design should feel good. Our range of acoustic solutions is already making an impact in spaces where wellness is a priority. Why? They’re low in VOCs, biophilic by nature, and designed to absorb sound—three essential pillars of wellness-centred design.

Let’s break it down.

Why Wellness Architecture Matters

Wellness architecture is about more than just adding plants to a lobby. It’s about designing spaces that actively support the health and well-being of the people inside them. This means:

• Prioritising indoor air quality with low-emission materials
• Reducing noise pollution to create calmer, more focused environments
• Integrating natural textures, tones, and materials for a sense of connection to nature

The World Green Building Council found that better indoor environments—including light, air, and acoustics—can directly improve productivity and well-being in commercial settings [1]. Meanwhile, Harvard’s 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building includes acoustics, materials, and air quality as core pillars [2].

The result of prioritising wellness in architecture? Happier, healthier buildings — and people.

How Decor Systems Supports Wellness-Focused Design

We’ve got a lineup of products that tick the boxes for performance and aesthetics, helping you design interiors that look as good as they perform.

CEWOOD: Naturally Textured. Seriously Acoustic.

Explore CEWOOD →

Cewood perfectly fuses raw, organic texture and powerful acoustic control. Made from sustainably sourced wood wool, this panel offers excellent sound absorption and a unique visual character that softens even the most clinical of spaces.

• Low-VOC and GECA certified
• Group 1 Fire Rated
• High acoustic performance (NRC up to 0.95)
• PEFC-certified options available

Ideal for: Offices, wellness areas, education spaces, and anywhere you want peace and calm with a bit of visual texture.

DECORSLAT: Sleek, Slatted, Sound-Smart

Explore DecorSlat →

Bring linear sophistication into your next wellness space with DecorSlat. Its warm timber feel and acoustic backing make it the go-to choice for design-driven ceilings and walls that must perform just as well as they look.

• Customisable acoustic backings
• Group 1 Fire Rated
• FSC® and PEFC-certified timber options
• Made right here in Australia
  

Ideal for: Open-plan offices, universities, high-traffic spaces where acoustic clarity matters.

DECORZEN: Understated Elegance Meets Acoustic Control

Explore DecorZen →

DecorZen is all about balance — seamless timber panels that integrate hidden acoustic perforations without compromising clean lines or minimalist appeal.

• Low-VOC content
• Custom perforation patterns to meet acoustic targets
• Group 1 Fire Rating
• Natural timber veneer or SmartLook laminate finish
  

Ideal for: Education spaces, office spaces, and design-forward wellness environments.

Why Acoustic Comfort Matters in Wellness Spaces

It’s simple: sound affects mood.

Too much noise? Stress levels spike. Can’t hear your own thoughts? Focus disappears. But get the acoustics right, and you create a space that’s calm, clear, and comfortable — without the need for clinical silence.

Decor Systems panels are engineered to absorb, diffuse, or dampen sound across a wide frequency range, helping to reduce reverberation and support clear communication — critical in healthcare, education, and, yes, wellness centres too.

Certifications That Back It All Up

We’re not just about good looks — we’ve got the paperwork to prove it:

• GECA Certified – Low-impact, healthier products
• Declare Labels – Total transparency on what goes into each product
• FSC® & PEFC™ – Sustainable timber sourcing, always
• Group 1 Fire Ratings – High safety across our range
• Supply Nation Certified – 100% Indigenous-owned and committed to ethical, community-minded business

Read about our approach to ESG below:

• ESG HandbookDownload

Designing Wellness-First Spaces? We’re Here for It.

Whether you’re designing a purpose-built wellness centre or simply bringing wellness principles into your next commercial, educational, or healthcare project, we’re ready to help.

With a wide range of acoustic, low-VOC, and biophilic products, plus technical support and spec advice whenever you need it, Decor Systems is your go-to for spaces that perform beautifully and support human well-being.

Explore our full product range or get in touch to discuss your next wellness-focused project.

Further Reading & Sources

[^1]: World Green Building Council – Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Offices

[^2]: Harvard – The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building

[^3]: GECA – Good Environmental Choice Australia

[^4]: WELL Building Standard v2 – Enhanced Material Restrictions

[^5]: Arup – Acoustics and Wellbeing in Office Design