Acoustical Surfaces as Fundamental Architectural Elements
American surface design brand Wolf-Gordon introduces Mason by Atlason, a refined collection of 12” x 12” acoustical tiles designed by renowned furniture and industrial designer Hlynur Atlason. A sophisticated addition to the GATHER ® Acoustical collection, Mason by Atlason challenges the industry standard of acoustics-as-afterthought, repositioning high-performance sound absorption as a primary architectural component of the built environment. This debut signifies the first new design partnership of 2026—a milestone year that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Wolf-Gordon’s storied history of groundbreaking collaborations.
Mason by Atlason draws its visual language from foundational architectural materials: the rhythmic bonds of Dutch brickwork, the raw texture of polished concrete, and the earthy permanence of limestone and terracotta. While the tiles embody the rigid structures of precision masonry, they do not attempt to imitate them. Instead, geometric grids and linear incisions provide a tactile counterpart—highlighting the inherent softness of the GATHER® material while using grout-like engravings to actively enhance its acoustical performance.
The hallmark of the collection is its modular versatility, offering designers a precise toolkit for site-specific articulation. The 12 x 12 tiles serve as a large-scale mosaic, allowing for compositions that can be combined, tessellated, or intermixed to respond to the unique volume of a room–ranging from high-traffic hospitality interiors to quiet residential spaces. Available in the full GATHER® palette of 16 colors, Mason by Atlason is headlined by a curated materials-based trio: Sandstone, Sienna, and Obsidian, chosen in reference to materials like brick, stucco, and ceramic tiles.
Mason by Atlason is comprised of eight distinct, engineered patterns:
Six by Three: Three rows of perfectly engineered rectangles that create a classic, architectural square, precise v-groove engravings reveal a grout-like lower layer that allows the surface to shift and respond to the light in the room.
Six by Three (Textured): A variation that provides greater depth through secondary, shallow engravings that invoke the hand-shaped quality of artisanal ceramic.
Four by Two: Composed of two rows of four sleek rectangles, this pattern utilizes v-groove engraving to create narrow, precise channels that serve as a minimalist abstraction of grout. Its low profile and angled edges reference the clean, structured patterns of foundational tile work.
Twelve by Three: The elegance of fluted tile is captured through three rows of twelve narrow, elegantly engraved rectangles that can be arranged vertically or railroaded for varied aesthetic effects. Each double-layered panel reveals a grout-like glimpse to the bottom layer color, adding sophisticated detail to the exactingly engineered square.
Twelve by Three (Textured): This design transforms the fluted motif into the thoughtful, high-design look of the fluted brick through vertical surface engravings, These shallower textures provide a tactile depth that works in tandem with deeper v-groove channels to emphasize the panel’s brick-like segments.
Eight by Two: A grid of elongated, obelisk-like rectangles where precise engravings emphasize a definitive geometric structure. The double-layer construction allows for subtle peeks of the lower layer color, creating a reveal that evokes the timeless structural language of masonry.
Three by Three: A study in perfect dimensions, this panel is divided into nine contoured squares visually separated by the revealed color of the bottom layer. The absolute simplicity of the design belies the stringent attention to detail required to produce such crisp, even and satisfying shapes.
Six by Six: This six-by-six grid of deeply beveled squares delivers a rich sense of texture and rhythm in a deceptively simple package. The numerous segments allow the surface to morph and change dynamically depending upon the play of light shadow within the built environment.
Mason by Atlason is engineered to meet the stringent requirements of the workplace, hospitality/restaurant, and education sectors, bridging the gap between high-utilitarian function and high-concept design. The tiles offer a 0.45 NRC rating for superior sound control. Like all GATHER® products, these tiles are composed of 100% recycled (60% post-consumer) felted polyester and are ASTM E84 (Adhered) Class A rated.
About Wolf-Gordon
Wolf-Gordon is an American design company offering designers a wide range of interior surfacing products united by the common qualities of excellent design and dependable performance. Founded in 1967 as a comprehensive source for wallcoverings, its product line has since added wall protection, upholstery textiles, paints, and Wink clear, dry-erase coating. Through its collaborations with leading national and international designers and in its Design Studio, Wolf-Gordon continues to develop new work that is provocative, inspiring, and of our time. Wolf-Gordon’s growing portfolio of licensed collections includes designs by Laurinda Spear, Karim Rashid, Petra Blaisse, Grethe Sørensen, Kevin Walz, the Boym Partners, Frank Tjepkema, Mae Engelgeer, Aliki van der Kruijs, and V Starr/Venus Williams. Wolf-Gordon account executives are based in all major markets in the United States. www.wolfgordon.com
About Hlynur Atlason, Industrial Designer
Born in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1974, Hlynur Atlason graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2001 and opened his eponymous New York studio two years later. His industrial design work—for clients as varied as Heller, Design Within Reach, and L’Oreal—merges Scandinavian simplicity with New York innovation. His designs have been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Wallpaper, and Metropolis. Recognition for Atlason’s work includes the 2023 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award.