The National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most iconic buildings, offers visitors a journey through the country’s past and present with a remarkable collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and film. Housed in a bespoke 19th century building, the gallery is celebrated for its elaborate decorative scheme, featuring glittering friezes, murals, and extensive sculptural details. One highlight of the gallery experience is Café Portrait, a popular destination for visitors to enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes in a family-friendly setting.
Challenge
As part of a design competition, the Café Portrait refurbishment project aimed to modernise the space while preserving the historic character of the building. The open-plan café had ongoing noise issues that needed to be addressed, requiring innovative solutions to control sound without compromising aesthetic. However, since the building is listed, securing a ceiling solution directly to the soffit was not permitted. The challenge was to create a modern, visually appealing environment that harmonised with the building’s heritage while enhancing acoustic performance.
Solution
The solution came in the form of three Zentia Sonify Tilt canopy rafts, delivering on both aesthetic and functional requirements. The Sonify rafts are rated Class A in sound absorption and were chosen for their ability to control reverberation and noise levels in the café’s open-plan layout. The rafts were specified in a mixture of YE3 (pale yellow), RE5 (soft red), and WH1 (white).
To comply with the building’s listed status, a primary Unistrut structure was used to suspend the grid system sufficiently, ensuring that no alterations were made to the soffit.
The installation, carried out by 2T Joiners Ltd, was completed in January 2025. The Sonify Tilt canopy rafts have improved the acoustic quality of the space while maintaining the design’s artistic integrity. The rafts provide better sound management, ensuring a more pleasant experience for the café’s customers.
This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and modern solutions can transform a historic space without compromising its original charm. The acoustic enhancements made to Café Portrait will improve the visitor experience, maintaining the café as a key destination within the gallery.