This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
The final boss: acoustics in open-plan offices!
The underestimated importance of room acoustics – Part 5
In the modern working world, open-plan offices and New Work spaces are becoming increasingly common. In addition to the major demands of digitalization and new working methods that the future office brings with it, the issue of space plays a central role in restructuring.
Challenges in open-plan offices: Communication vs. concentration
Two opposing needs collide in open-plan offices: lively communication and concentrated individual work. These acoustic sound environments require a harmonious balance. Conversations between employees who need peace and quiet and those who need to exchange ideas can cause tension. It is important to design spaces that both promote communication and support concentration – a challenge that requires innovative solutions in room acoustics.
Effect of noise on health and performance
The profound effects of noise on our bodies and cognitive performance have already been described in Part 1 of this series of articles. An acoustically optimized working environment offers far more than just comfort. It not only increases satisfaction in the workplace, but also leads to noticeably greater precision in the completion of tasks and therefore to a lower error rate. Good room acoustics also help to reduce stress hormone levels. These findings underline the undeniable need for balanced acoustics, especially in open-plan offices and modern New Work spaces. Here, a well thought-out acoustic concept is a key factor for a productive and healthy working environment.
Designing New Work spaces: Colors and shapes as acoustic elements
Inspiration and modern design approaches are at the heart of the New Work concept. Colors surround us all the time and lend our surroundings expressiveness. Through the targeted use of color, we can emphasize the potential uses of a space, provide creative impetus and increase the well-being of users. Colors also enable intuitive orientation through visual lines and zoning, while at the same time subtly communicating the corporate identity. The design of New Work spaces aims to promote intuitive use, with colors and shapes serving as important design elements. It is particularly important to emphasize that acoustic elements are far more than just functional objects in this context. They can pick up on the architectural style of a space and develop it further, making them an integral part of the overall design and actively shaping the aesthetics of the space.
Back to room acoustics: so how do we equip an acoustically complex area?
The new standard: ISO 22955 for acoustic planning
In room acoustics, ISO 22955 has established itself as a new standard that deals specifically with the challenges of open-plan offices and similar spaces. Although this standard is currently only available in French and English, it is already being used in practice as it precisely addresses the needs of such spaces.
Acoustic elements: Focus on ceilings, walls and furniture
As the largest reflective surface, the ceiling plays a key role in acoustic design, especially in open-plan offices. However, over-attenuation can be counterproductive and lead to overly clear acoustics in which even quiet keyboard typing is perceived as disturbing (in Part 2 an illustrative example of this was given). To counter this problem, we often use ceiling baffles for open-plan areas. These elements promote the diffusivity of sound and act as breakwaters for speech noise, and they are also well suited to concrete core-activated ceilings.
The wall surfaces act as an ideal counterpart to the ceiling by providing pleasant basic attenuation and preventing unpleasant flutter echoes caused by horizontal sound fields. The third important component is the use of shielding elements that effectively reduce direct sound at the workplace. These elements not only contribute to acoustic optimization, but also support the zoning and structuring of the room, which also leads to visual calming. It is important to understand that speech sound that spreads in a spherical shape should also be treated three-dimensionally. You can find out more about this topic in Part 4.
Furniture is an often underestimated aspect of room acoustics. Although it cannot create a perfect acoustic environment on its own, it contributes significantly to the diffusion of sound. It plays a decisive role in strategic room planning. When arranging workstations, care should be taken to place closely cooperating teams in close proximity to each other, while teams with little need for interaction should be spatially separated. This well thought-out placement not only optimizes walking distances, it also reduces potential distractions caused by movement in the room. In addition, furniture fulfills important functions such as visual screening and zoning, which contributes significantly to the well-being of employees. These seemingly soft factors are crucial for holistic room planning and form an integral part of the overall acoustic concept. Careful selection and positioning of furniture can therefore significantly improve not only the functionality but also the acoustic quality of an open-plan office.
Holistic project planning for optimal working environments
The success of modern working environments depends to a large extent on well thought-out room acoustics, which should be included in the planning right from the start. Holistic project planning that takes acoustic aspects into account at an early stage is the key to achieving optimum results. Both for new buildings and when redesigning existing rooms. Without careful acoustic design, open office concepts cannot develop their full potential. New Work and Open Office thrive on the individuality of the spaces, which are tailored to the specific needs of the users. In order to do justice to the complex sound environments in these modern working environments, we rely on sound expertise and a wide range of design options. This holistic approach enables us to create workspaces that are not only functional and acoustically balanced, but also promote inspiration and well-being – the basis for productive and satisfied work in the world of New Work.
A room is more than just four walls. It is a network of many individual factors and details that need to flow together seamlessly. The fusion of room acoustics, interior, interior design and functionality can be the basis for an inspiring place. This is not only a place for productivity, but also for communication, collaboration and shared inspiration. A space that promotes well-being is more than the sum of its parts. It is a place where people develop, ideas flow and community is created.
There is no “one fits all” concept. Every room needs to be considered differently due to its geometry, materials and usage characteristics. But every company also has its own individual requirements. Each space is reassessed individually and adapted to the respective requirements. Only when all the details such as space planning, room acoustics, appearance and functionality come together does the room find its tone and become a lively place for collaboration.
Courage to change: defeating the acoustic boss together
Have the courage to change, the courage to create and the courage to approach your project holistically. We from apn® are at your side. With our comprehensive acoustic know-how, sound advice and careful planning, we will accompany you from the initial idea to the final implementation. Together, we’ll turn even the acoustical boss of an open-plan office into child’s play.
Privacy Overview
