Acoustics in the Work Place
Feb 28, 2020
Open office are a reality of the workplace. 8 out of 10 knowledge workers in open plan environments recognize benefits of increased collaboration, engagement and knowledge transfer not to mention greater efficiency means they are here to stay. But for all their value open offices bring acoustical challenges that have a profound impact on the people who occupy them.
Unless managed, noise in the open office can potentially cost companies more than the real estate savings they may experience. Poor office acoustics impact health and wellness, create fatigue, and increase stress which leads to high blood pressure, digestive disorders, headaches, hypertension and ulcers. Well-designed sound environment favor concentration and facilitate communication, freeing people up to collaborate without distracting their neighbors.
Some of the solutions involve utilizing acoustical cloud ceilings, soft materials for flooring such as carpeting and vinyl planking, capturing sound with absorbent materials for workstation panels, tackable surfaces and dividers and providing small enclosed focus rooms for conferencing and collaboration.
In conclusion, these solutions provide a flexible workspace, as well as a quieter environment for the employees and can improve the businesses' bottom line.
An example of acoustical design by Leslie M. Stern Design