Goodwood Art Foundation Café
Project: Goodwood Art Foundation Café and staff areas
Segment: Leisure
Country / city: United Kingdom, Chichester
Architect: Studio Downie Architects
Installers: Vertex Acoustics Ltd (Ecophon Fade™ ONE Smooth) / Spraywall Interiors Ltd (Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ Ds)
Photographer: Fred Howarth
Project size: 144 m²
Production year: 2025

Café 24 – Where architecture, nature and acoustic comfort converge
Set among trees with sweeping views toward the Sussex coastline, Café 24 at the Goodwood Arts Foundation in Chichester delivers an engaging experience for visitors and staff. Designed by Studio Downie Architects, the café combines considered design, a community focus and a sensitive integration of art with the surrounding landscape.

The interior’s openness- large glass façades, high ceilings and a minimalist palette - creates a bright, airy atmosphere. Those same hard finishes and generous volumes, however, require careful acoustic treatment to maintain comfort for conversation and relaxation.

To address this, the team specified Ecophon Fade™ ONE Smooth, a high-performance acoustic plaster system installed by Vertex Acoustics Ltd. Chosen for its sound-absorbing qualities and discreet finish, it preserves the café’s contemporary look while enhancing acoustic comfort so guests can gather without distraction.

In the kitchen, an Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ Ds acoustic ceiling system was installed for its durability and ease of cleaning in humid, high-use environments. Its smooth, hard-wearing surface tolerates frequent washing, supports hygiene standards and reduces noise, creating a safer, more comfortable workspace for staff while complementing the café’s functional and design goals.