L’île O
Mastering the Acoustics of a Floating Venue, Between Design and Experience
On the river banks of the Rhône, L’Île O offers a unique experience in Lyon: a vibrant, immersive hybrid venue designed for dining, events and shared experiences in an unconventional setting — floating on the river.
But behind this architectural uniqueness lay a major challenge: How could optimal acoustic comfort be achieved in an open, reverberant and moving space?
Challenges
L’Île O combines several significant challenges:
- Floating structure, with few fixed reference points
- Open volumes and raw materials
- Multiple uses (dining, parties, events)
- High sound density depending on the moment
Result: significant reverberation and a rapidly deteriorating sound experience for visitors.
The goal was clear:
– Restore comfort without distorting the identity of the venue
– Transform acoustics into a driver for customer experience
Product
Arteck supported the project from start to finish:
- Acoustic design adapted to a floating venue, with a deliberately flexible and creative approach
- Integrated design work, making acoustics a visual element in its own right
- Complete supply and installation of solutions
The choice was San Diego acoustic baffles in Ivory, suspended in the space to visually structure the volume while effectively absorbing sound.
Every detail was considered:
– each baffle was numbered, allowing precise positioning consistent with the initial design
This was not just acoustic treatment, but a true staging of space through sound and design.
Results
The intervention now provides:
- Significant reduction of reverberation
- Better intelligibility of conversations
- Controlled sound ambiance, even during peak periods
- Strong visual coherence, where acoustics fully contribute to the venue’s identity
– Comfort is no longer a compromise: it becomes an integral part of the experience.
In this floating venue, San Diego baffles highlight the value of ceiling-mounted acoustic baffles in controlling reverberation without compromising the open feel of the space.
Measurable Performance (In Progress)
An acoustic study comparing before and after is currently underway to accurately quantify the improvements achieved on site.
This data will confirm the impact already being felt: a more pleasant, more controlled and more functional environment for day-to-day operations.
