Acoustic solutions
for office
and design

Research shows that the acoustic environment around us influences both the way we feel and our productivity. So it is important to see noise as an important part of the whole picture when furnishing a workplace, whatever the type of solution or type of office. Workplaces with a balanced noise level promote both well-being and success. It is a question of knowing how noise works and how it affects us.

Most people have probably heard that sound intensity is measured in decibels. But when is the noise level in the office too high? Obviously this is subjective to a certain extent; some people are more sensitive to noise than others. But there is a lot of research and guidelines that are worth knowing. For example, there is an increased risk of heart attack at 65 dB; which is a common noise level in our offices. Even at 55 dB, 40% of office workers experience reduced concentration.

Noisy workplaces can easily cause irritation and difficulty in concentrating. For example, a research study has shown that our ability to perform deteriorates when we are surrounded by clearly audible and understandable conversations unrelated to the work we are doing. Three different environments were tested and compared:

an individual office with a closed door
an open office landscape with appropriate acoustic solutions
an open office landscape without acoustic solutions

The study showed that the ability to perform was equally good in the open office landscape with appropriate acoustic solutions and the office with a closed door. In contrast, performance deteriorated in the open office landscape without planned acoustic solutions. Therefore, it is possible to create better conditions for individual work by reducing the intelligibility of other conversations taking place around the individual. With sound absorbers and screens, you can create zones for more concentrated work, where conversations and other noise around us do not disturb us, even if we are sitting in a more open environment.

It is not only the ability to concentrate and perform that is affected by high noise levels in the office. Research also shows that the stress that some people experience in a noisy working environment can lead to cardiovascular disease and hypertension. A connection has also been found between noise levels and ergonomics. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology examined how low-intensity noise in an office environment affects employees, compared to sitting in a quiet environment. Although no difference in productivity was found, it was observed that the test group in the noisy environment was less likely to vary their working position. Employees in the quieter environment adjusted their chairs and footrests much more often. Thus the ergonomics were significantly worse in the test group sitting in the noisy environment. An increase in stress levels due to prolonged low-intensity noise was also found.

Start with your organisation and way of working and build the office with different zones, each tailored to a certain type of activity. It should always be possible to work in peace and quiet, without being disturbed by other colleagues’ conversations. At the same time, there should also be spaces that promote conversation and collaboration. Keep in mind that we all have different personalities and therefore different needs. Listening to employees and including them in the process is therefore often a key factor in creating a sound environment where everyone is happy and feels good. A simple and effective tool is to work with acoustic and sound absorbing screens. By using connectable floor screens, for example, you can quickly create a separate room in the middle of an open office landscape. This gives you a flexible office that can be easily adapted to different needs and situations. Fixed wall screens are effective in counteracting noise, which makes for a better acoustic environment throughout the office. With shelves, accessories and colour choices, you can also add a personal touch to the room. In this way, you will improve not only the acoustic environment but the office environment as a whole.

We all have different sensitivities to noise, and today’s offices must be able to meet everyone’s needs, in every situation. This is exactly why an activity-based office is a good solution: a flexible and dynamic workplace where each space is acoustically optimised for a certain type of activity. Companies that succeed in doing this will have more opportunities to increase productivity and well-being in the office and, in the long run, profitability. Quite simply, prioritising the acoustic environment should be considered a smart investment, which will often pay for itself in the long run.