Côte Brasserie is renowned for delivering warm, inviting dining spaces—but at their Henley-on-Thames location, excessive noise levels were starting to impact the guest experience.

Over time, customer feedback made it clear that sound transfer across the central dining area was affecting comfort, making conversations difficult and creating an unintended disruption to Côte’s relaxed ambiance. With guest experience at the heart of everything they do, the Côte team recognised the need for a solution that would enhance the space without compromising its design aesthetic.

To explore their options, Côte turned to Quadrant Design, a team they had worked with before and trusted to deliver design-led, practical solutions.

We worked closely with Quadrant Design and Côte to ensure that any acoustic treatment felt natural within the existing interior. The goal was to integrate a functional yet subtle acoustic solution that wouldn’t feel like an afterthought.

Working within the design constraints of the space, the decision was made to install SoundHush Class A acoustic panels to absorb excess sound and soften the overall ambiance.

“The key was ensuring the acoustic treatment blended into the space rather than standing out. Using CAD modeling, we pre-mapped the ceiling layout, ensuring a precise fit while maintaining the visual integrity of the restaurant.”

— Danielle Balazs Design Co-ordinator, ILE Solutions

To achieve this, the project focused on:

• Acoustic Performance – Using high-quality SoundHush ceiling panels to reduce reverberation and create a more balanced dining atmosphere.

• Aesthetic Integration – Colour-matched panels ensured the look and feel remained true to Côte’s brand while subtly enhancing the ambiance.

• Seamless Execution – The solution had to work within the existing ceiling design, requiring precise planning to accommodate lighting, speakers, and smoke detectors without disrupting functionality.

One of the biggest challenges was timing. As a busy restaurant, Côte couldn’t afford extended downtime, so installation had to be completed in a single day.

To ensure a smooth and efficient process, the team:

• Delivered and pre-checked panels in advance to eliminate installation delays.
• Optimised site coordination, ensuring the team worked efficiently alongside other trades.
• Compressed a two-day installation into a single day, ensuring Côte could resume operations without unnecessary closure.

While Côte is still gathering long-term feedback, the initial response from both staff and guests has been positive. The atmosphere feels more controlled, and early indicators suggest the changes are already making a difference in the overall dining experience.