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Privacy in the Workplace
I have written before about the pros and cons of the Open Plan Office. One solution discussed with regard to privacy issues included demountable glass wall options. While those are still a viable alternative, other products that block the day to day distracting sounds and absorb annoying echo common in this workplace design have recently emerged in popularity.
An open plan office space is a floor plan designed so that most employees are working in the same room with separate walled offices and a few conference or smaller meeting rooms to facilitate privacy where appropriate. Most effective open plan offices also include a host of private areas for deep concentration. In addition to the topic at hand, consider strategically placing Caav Lounge Seating from JSI, Heya Lounge Seating from OFS or even the James Harrison Settee from West Elm Work. These quiet work spaces can be a great source for employees who may need to change their scenery throughout the day or escape the noise and chaos often prevalent in an open plan space.
One idea behind the open plan is to increase communication and foster a collaborative environment in the office. It is thought that having easy access to one’s co-workers would mean more interaction and work would be performed more efficiently. I do see the point here. Whether you buy into this idea or not, the fact is that conditions in many office environments can lead to sensory overload. We have phones ringing, water cooler talk, computer sounds, or even conversations from across the room that you don’t need to (or want to) hear. We can’t control everything, but we can control the NOISE.
I will explain and give you the details on three ways to control the noise in an open plan office space. They include Sound Masking, Acoustic Panels and Soundproof Booths. Benefits include better focus and reduced distractions, error rates and stress.
Sound Masking. Sound masking is the technology we use to achieve speech privacy for a specific area that is plagued by distraction. This is done by adding neutral noise to the background so as to render the distracting noise powerless. Speech Privacy is when you hear someone talking but you cannot understand what they are saying. It is important because it offers not only privacy but less distraction which can lead to better productivity. It might seem odd to add noise to a noisy environment but white noise is non-repetitious broad band sound. No natural pattern exists. There is sound at all frequencies which makes sound fill the spectrum so that anyone can tune it all out. MPS (Making Privacy Simple) offers their VoiceArrest Sound Masking System with state-of-the-art technology to provide comfortable, precision sound masking attuned to the conditions of each office zone through patented, automated adjustment. A low-level background sound is produced by speakers placed in the plenum and includes an adaptive sensor placed in the sector with the speakers that is both adaptive and adjustable. The background noise emitted by the speakers will adapt based on the needs of the work place, fluctuating higher and lower as is necessary. Features include excellent sound masking, paging and music without compromising ceiling aesthetics with speakers designed to match a variety of ceiling conditions.
Problem: The Noisy Modern Workspace
Acoustic Panels. Large office spaces with high ceilings and hard floors can be filled with excessive noise. Echo can be heard when sound waves bounce back and forth between surfaces. Acoustic design is often overlooked when an office is designed even though it is vital to a peaceful office space. Adding acoustically-absorbent materials to surfaces helps capture reverberations and interrupts acoustic reflection to isolate sound sources and rid the space of excessive noise.
Kirei offers a complete guide that you can sign up for and download from their web-site called Understanding the Impact of Planning for Acoustics. It outlines how to conduct an acoustic audit, strategies for solving noise issues and budgeting for an acoustic design project. This is a great resource for architects, designers and company facility planners. You can learn more about this in Kirei’s three-part series that helps to demystify acoustic design. Acoustic options include wall panels, ceiling baffles, desk dividers and free-standing, hanging or rolling room partitions. Both Kirei and MPS have great options that not only do their job, but add great design to open plan spaces.
Wall Panels. The options seem endless. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. We know they will do the job of controlling the noise in an open space but you would have to agree that they also look good. There is an option for every office aesthetic.
Ceiling Baffles. These are great for an open plan system that has high ceilings. Many companies are setting up open plan office systems in former warehouses where this can be a major issue.
Desk Dividers. Maybe your noise issue is a little closer to home, like in your personal workspace. Consider these functional and fashionable desk dividers.
Room Partitions. These are another great option. Not only do they help with the noise, they also offer areas free from visual distractions. They can be on wheels to make them easy to move around.
Get loads of design and color inspiration by checking out these valuable resources:
Kirei Project Inspiration Guide
Soundproof Booths. So, maybe you need to have meetings and/or conversations that are extremely sensitive or highly confidential. Consider a soundproof booth. They are free-standing suites that can be customized to fit any company’s aesthetic. Zonez and Oasis Berco offer great solutions in sizes ranging from phone booth size to meeting or conference room size.
In summary, there is a viable option here for any size open plan office. They are affordable, attractive and most certainly in vogue right now. Call Anderson Interiors at 412-828-7420 for design options and pricing.
