Spatial SoftZone® by Axis Lighting introduces a new dimension in acoustic lighting design, combining vertical sound-absorbing panels with integrated lighting performance in compelling 3D forms. Designed for architectural creativity, Spatial SoftZone enables the creation of vertical acoustic pendant lighting solutions that enhance both aesthetics and acoustical comfort. With forms ranging from linear arrays and geometric squares to zigzags, open contours, and continuous sculptural shapes, Spatial SoftZone provides designers with unmatched flexibility for customizing ceilings while improving speech clarity and occupant well-being.
Spatial SoftZone is part of the broader SoftZone® family, which includes both horizontal (Stencil®, StencilFlex™) and vertical (Spatial, Sculpt™) applications. These modular systems allow the quantity and layout of acoustic panels to be adjusted according to the acoustic demands of each space. Whether used in conference rooms to enhance speech intelligibility or in open offices to reduce ambient noise, the system helps create “neighborhoods of intimacy” that support both visual and auditory comfort.
Panels are crafted from 100% polyester containing at least 40% recycled PET plastic, with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating of up to 1.05. They are available in a wide palette of 40 standard colors, with custom finishes upon request. Fully unlit acoustic segments can also be specified, offering the option to use SoftZone purely for sound attenuation. Each panel is Class A fire rated, moisture resistant, and supports building system integration such as sprinklers, HVAC, and audio devices.
Architectural adaptability is central to Spatial SoftZone’s design. Panels and lit segments come in various lengths (up to 7 feet standalone) and heights (up to 36 inches), while hairline joints create virtually seamless continuous runs. The entire system fits within a narrow 1-15/16" width, combining both aperture and acoustic structure in an elegant vertical profile. This slim aesthetic allows for visual lightness while maintaining robust acoustic performance.
Lighting performance draws from Axis's proven Stencil® technology. Spatial SoftZone offers a full range of distribution options, including direct, indirect (powered by SurroundLite™), and Edge (vertical) lighting—a breakthrough in vertical acoustic lighting. Unlit blank segments are also available to extend the system without illumination. Optics can be configured with louvers or flush lenses, and the system integrates an integral 0–10V mini driver for standard dimming down to 1%, with remote emergency options and control compatibility, including Axitune®.
The system includes easy-to-assemble kits containing all necessary components such as hubs, acoustic panels, and mounting hardware. Segment finishes include black, white, and aluminum paint, with custom colors available. These flexible kits support three distinct design families: Linear Solutions, Standard Forms, and Continuous Forms. Notably, 3’ x 7’ linear arrays create rhythmic architectural features, while 2’ and 3’ square forms and zigzag configurations (e.g., ZZ135) deliver visual variety and spatial energy. Long continuous runs (beyond 8 feet) are supported using minimal-joint connection strategies.
Spatial SoftZone can also be combined with Sculpt™ Pendant luminaires for creative acoustic lighting layouts with vertical rhythm. When alternating lit and unlit Sculpt SoftZone panels, designers can strategically target areas needing light and sound control. A flush top profile ensures that vertical SoftZone panels align aesthetically with the uplight optics of adjacent fixtures, providing true indirect illumination and architectural cohesion.
For horizontal implementations, Stencil® SoftZone® and StencilFlex™ SoftZone® solutions extend the design language across ceiling planes. These discreet systems reduce visual clutter while enabling creative configurations through scalable panels. SoftZone panels are compatible with a wide array of Stencil Pendant geometries and can be layered with different optics, control options, and acoustic forms—open, closed, full, or partial—depending on the spatial and acoustic requirements. StencilFlex systems go further by introducing triangular SoftZone panels within scalable frameworks, allowing integration of lighting and sound attenuation in dynamic, cost-effective layouts.
Both horizontal and vertical systems support creative control of form, function, and performance. Lighting layers are enhanced with Axis’s high-precision PMMA light guide, engineered to distribute light across vertical and horizontal planes with patented molecular optics. In-plane mixing ensures consistent color uniformity and eliminates LED hotspots, achieving a diffuse, even glow throughout the luminaire. Axis luminaires deliver up to 101 lm/W, with color temperatures available in 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K, CRI options of 80 or 90, and long-lasting performance with 50,000-hour rated life and 85% lumen maintenance at 25°C.
Construction is equally robust and refined. The housing is made of extruded aluminum (0.070" nominal), paired with die-cast aluminum end caps and joiners. Reflectors are extruded acrylic, and each unit is suspended via 1 mm aircraft cable with quick-connect cable grips for fast installation. Power input options include 120V, 277V, UNV, and 347V, and all units are UL and CSA certified, suitable for damp locations.
Ultimately, Spatial SoftZone provides a comprehensive platform for integrated lighting and acoustic design. Whether used vertically or horizontally, in sculptural or linear formats, this system supports scalable, sustainable, and aesthetically cohesive solutions for today’s most acoustically and visually demanding environments.
https://www.axislighting.com/product-family/spatial-softzone
