Last updated: October 2026
Thula Wall acoustic slat panels have been installed in some of South Africa's best-known spaces, including Red Bull's Cape Town offices, Nando's in Richards Bay, the Moreleta Corner shopping centre in Pretoria, the spa at Steyn City and Bang & Olufsen's new Kramerville showroom in Johannesburg. Here is what we did on each project, and why slat panels work in offices, retail, hospitality and showrooms.
Red Bull offices, Cape Town
At Red Bull's Cape Town offices, our slat panels run behind the reception desk, line the walls of the multi-storey atrium beside the main staircase, and clad the columns at the entrance. The light oak slats on dark felt warm up a space built from glass balustrades, polished floors and white walls, and they hold their own next to a Formula 1 car mounted on the atrium wall.
Atriums like this, with hard surfaces stacked over several floors, are exactly where sound bounces. Felt-backed slats add absorption on large vertical surfaces without taking up floor space.
Nando's, Richards Bay
At Nando's in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, our slats clad the shopfront, framing the entrance and the restaurant's iconic logo, and continue across the ceiling of the upstairs dining area. At night, lit from inside and below, the timber gives the street front a warm, welcoming glow that fits Nando's brand.
Moreleta Corner, Pretoria
Moreleta Corner is a newly refurbished shopping centre in Pretoria, designed by Nuvorm Architects and built by JC van der Linde. Our panels run in long bands above the shopfronts, including Checkers, and across the soffits and ceilings of the walkways, in three finishes: Rustic Natural Oak, Black Ash and Snow.
The mix of a natural oak, a near-black and a pale finish shows how one product can carry a whole architectural scheme, from warm feature bands to crisp, light ceilings. If you are in Pretoria, it is a great place to see our panels at scale.
Steyn City spa
At the spa at Steyn City, north of Johannesburg, a full-height slat wall in our Moss finish runs behind the reception and coffee bar. Against white walls, marble floors and natural oak, the muted green gives the space a calm, botanical feel, which is exactly right for a spa, where a quiet, soft-sounding room is part of the experience.
Bang & Olufsen showroom, Kramerville
Bang & Olufsen sells some of the world's finest audio, so the rooms its products are shown in need to look and sound right. At Bang & Olufsen's new showroom in Kramerville, Johannesburg, our oak slat panels line the client lounge and meeting area, and darker slat walls wrap the home cinema demonstration room around the screen and speakers.
Felt-backed slat walls absorb reflected sound, so music and film are heard more clearly, and the room feels intimate rather than echoey. It's the same benefit homeowners get from a slat wall in a TV room or home cinema. Read more in do acoustic slat panels reduce noise?
Why do architects and brands choose slat panels?
- Warmth in hard spaces. Real wood veneer softens glass, concrete, tile and marble.
- Acoustics built in. The felt backing absorbs echo in receptions, atriums, restaurants and showrooms.
- Scale and consistency. Panels are 600mm wide in 2.4m and 3m lengths, so long walls, bands and ceilings line up cleanly.
- A finish for every scheme. From natural and rustic oaks to Black Ash, Walnut and colour finishes. See the full range in our buyer's guide.
- Danish quality. Our Akupanels are made by WoodUpp in Denmark with hand-picked veneers and acoustic felt made in Sweden. Why that matters.
- Installation handled. Our coordinators and national installer network take projects from quote to completion, with a 24-month workmanship guarantee. How our installation works.
Working on a commercial project?
We work with architects, interior designers, shopfitters and contractors on offices, retail, restaurants, lodges and showrooms across South Africa. Become a trade partner, or send us your drawings or measurements for a quote.
Planning a home project instead? The same panels work in living rooms, bedrooms and home cinemas. Start with samples or visit one of our showrooms. And if you'd like to know how it all started, read our story.
Frequently asked questions
Does Thula Wall do commercial projects?
Yes. Thula Wall supplies and installs acoustic slat panels for offices, retail centres, restaurants, spas and showrooms, including Red Bull in Cape Town, Nando's in Richards Bay, Moreleta Corner in Pretoria, the Steyn City spa and Bang & Olufsen in Kramerville.
Which finishes were used at Moreleta Corner?
Rustic Natural Oak, Black Ash and Snow.
Do you work with architects and interior designers?
Yes. We work with architects, designers, shopfitters and contractors through our trade partner programme.
Which finish is the green wall at the Steyn City spa?
Moss, one of our Akupanel colour finishes.
Can slat panels be used on ceilings in commercial spaces?
Yes. At Moreleta Corner our panels run across walkway soffits and ceilings as well as walls.
