Open-plan office landscapes should support employees’ work activities and enhance their wellbeing. So, start to think acoustically and remove any harmful noisy disturbances: This guide will reveal the acoustic measures you should consider to make an office pleasant and quiet.
Why is noise considered a dangerous feature in open office spaces?
Nowadays, more and more modern office designs have polished concrete floors and exposed ceilings. The design of workspaces accommodates different needs and support employees’ work activities, but have you considered that an excessive noise level can harm productivity and the wellbeing of employees?
Hard and smooth surfaces look good, but every sound wave is reflected and harms the acoustic environment. This, in tandem with a demand for a social connection between colleagues, creates a noisy workplace.
Research shows that bad acoustic environments with no sound absorption will decrease productivity by 66 %, which means that nearly one in every three employees are losing one or more hours of productivity.
We take noise seriously as it impacts our health. Around 51 % of office workers complain about concentration problems while working in an open office and around 36 % of workers have experienced annoyance or frustration.
“We are seeing trends for collaborative spaces, learning and performance spaces that are starting to find synergies. We are creating a variety of areas that support different human functions. When we look at the office, employees want to be on their own, but in a social context, and I think that those are some of the exciting things.”
Tiago Pereira
(ARCHITECT FROM SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN)
Start to think acoustically and remove ‘conversational distractions’
When considering an indoor acoustic environment, it is important to consider the source of the noise, its path, and the receiver who hears in order to reduce noise pollution.
Modular acoustic ceiling tiles or wall panels are textile art that can reduce the auditory disturbance of sound reflection.
Therefore, the four C’s can be useful to look at as they refer to the dynamic within the office.
- Contemplation
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Concentration
But there is no one size fits all answer, as it depends on the type of people who work in the office and the kind of work that is being done. But it is highly beneficial to create office spaces that sound as beautiful they look.
The benefits of acoustic comfort are:
- 48 % increase in task focus
- 51 % decrease in ‘conversational distractions’
- 10 % drop in errors during performance
- 27 % reduction in employees stress level
Despite the challenges and health issues, employees prefer open office spaces as they reflect their need for social context. To combat these challenges and remain productive, an office with excellent acoustics can create a healthier and more attractive indoor environment, allowing employees to be more creative and productive.
Step 1: The office design and the occupants
The first step in creating an office that sounds quiet is to figure out the diverse needs of the office workers. How do they like to work, what design solution will benefit their work performance, and do they want a collaborative approach in the office?
Once you know what measures to include in the interior design, you can take the next step and look at the sound solutions.
Step 2: What sound solution fits your layout the best?
The quality of sound absorption available in different rooms is determined by the layout of the space and what materials are being selected. In our acoustic tiles and panels, the core material is stone wool as it has by nature a high sound absorption.
If you choose the right acoustic products, you can create flexible, private and engaging environments that combine the benefits of great sound insulation and superior sound absorption.
Step 3: Balance your office Design with great acoustics
Acoustic comfort should provide perfect harmony between employee wellbeing and privacy while the environment continues to be collaborative and dynamic.
Proper sound absorption
Proper sound absorption controls the ambient sound pressure level in a room. And it will create comfortable environments where people can concentrate and work productively without noise-induced irritation or stress. It also has other benefits as it increases speech intelligibility, making presentation and conversation easier to understand.
Low reverberation time
Creating an acoustic environment also reduces reverberation time and echoes. Sound absorption materials will balance the sound level and create a dynamic environment with a focus on employee wellbeing and privacy.
Proper sound insulation
To prevent sound from one activity transmitting and disturbing people in the next room, you should consider proper sound insulation. Soundproofing relates to the overall ability of a building element to reduce the level of distractions and the harmful effects of noise between a room and a neighbouring space.
Create flexible, private, and engaging environments with our acoustic product range, with great sound insulation and superior sound absorption.
Step 4: The aesthetic touch
The office design should reflect the brand and, therefore, it should be attractive and comforting. Architects and designers aim to create a more interactive and dynamic workspace, and that’s what the right ceiling design can inspire, transforming the artistic expression.
Find the right balance between style, comfort and top-grade solutions to produce elegant spaces that inspire employees.
An acoustic design with a unique personality has other advantages
Every building has its unique personality and a unique set of needs to consider. Office buildings can be different in nature and functionality, presenting different challenges that create crucial demands on building materials. The acoustic ceiling design is no different. Now you have the acoustic comfort in place, let’s see the other advantages you will achieve.
Durability:
If a product is durable, it can endure continued use over a long period. Durability is a crucial factor when selecting materials as it will reflect on the level of maintenance. A durable construction product consumes fewer resources, creates less waste, and its manufacturing impact is spread over long periods. Durability supports eco-efficiency and secures progress towards sustainable consumption and production.
Modularity is key:
Now we have considered how to reduce distraction and create flexible, private and engaging workspaces. But how flexible can it be in the office design? Modularity refers to the degree to which the ceiling system can be recombined with the benefit of flexibility. When thinking about an acoustic ceiling solution, it’s crucial to consider the flexibility with modular ceilings or moveable partition walls to create acoustic comfort.
A modular ceiling gives absolute control of the noise and safety of the spaces and ensures a smoother integration of services and fittings. Our acoustic solutions integrate harmoniously with the other building materials for a holistic design as we offer a variety of colors, formats, edges to address different artistic designs.
The quality of light:
Light is an essential part of our life, and light determines how we experience a space. But it’s also crucial for our wellbeing. For the best quality of light, the office should be illuminated by as much natural sunlight as possible. The natural light should be spread equally through the room to minimize the usage of electricity and artificial light. It’s an important aspect, as office workers prefer to be near windows because they provide good natural daylight.
What benefits will you get out of an acoustic investment?
Building materials need to meet the long-term needs of users without expensive upkeeping due to maintenance or repair. Demands for functionality, reliability and durability are key performances of a desirable acoustic product.
Investment in acoustic ceiling solutions is an investment in employees.
Improved satisfaction
79 % of building owners witnessed an improvement in employee satisfaction and engagement.[3]
Higher value
62 % of building owners saw a positive impact on the building’s value, meaning that the building’s sustainable features can potentially affect the resale rate.[4]
Improved productivity
75 % of building owners witnessed an improvement in indoor lightning conditions after installing acoustic ceilings.[5]
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Sounds Beautiful
[1] https://cdw-prod.adobecqms.net/content/dam/cdw/on-domain-cdw/brands/poly/poly-perils-ebook.pdf
[2] Sykes, David; M., PhD, ”Productivity: How Acoustics Affect Workers’ Performance in Offices and Open Areas.
https://mpsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Productivity.pdf
[3] Dodge Data & Analytics, “Smart Market Report”, 2016 Pg. 06
[4] Dodge Data & Analytics, “Smart Market Report”, 2016 Pg. 07
[5] Dodge Data & Analytics, “Smart Market Report”, 2016 Pg. 06