Understanding Noise Control – Hear From the Experts
When working in an open office, it is best to take into account the type of noise that will be created and how this will affect your employees. With this in mind, we asked our team of workspace experts to explain the best way to implement noise control in the open office.
Sound is energy and it needs to be controlled by absorbing it or blocking it. If ignored, noise causes distractions, which impact a persons productivity.
Collaborative space doesn’t have to be disrupting. If it is properly situated in the workplace noise can be more effectively controlled.
Clients should understand that there are many variables that need to be taken into consideration regarding noise.
Architectural – Exposed ceilings, hard floor surfaces and drywall do not afford the sound absorption necessary, so it is important to add some acoustical clouds in the ceiling, soft flooring in many areas and acoustical panels on walls. Combining this with sound masking, soft furniture ancillary pieces and screen dividers will all combine to control the bouncing of sound throughout the office landscape.
Open office environments promote collaboration, employee interactions and communication – all things that create noise. For privacy and focused work, businesses should consider the numerous noise management solutions available. From smart design decisions to products like privacy phone booths and technologies like white noise, there are many options available to create the right solution based on the needs of the people and space.
Being able to control noise in an open-office/collaborative space can help boost employee productivity and help with creative thinking. Also, controlling noise creates a more functional and laid-back atmosphere.
Even though the workspace emphasizes collaboration and community, having privacy is still very essential in an every day office space. Whether the office has one person or a whole team of people, some discussions are not meant to be overheard. Having acoustical privacy when needed allows employees to have comfort and trust that their conversations will not be overheard. On another note, everyone works differently. It’s important to offer open collaboration areas, but some employees need their peace and quiet in order to concentrate. Having these spaces available to them lets them know that their work habits are valued.
To gain the advantages of natural light, visual communication and increased air flow through low panels and benching, you have to provide enclosed, convenient spaces nearby for meetings, phone calls and socializing.
BOS is able to provide various acoustic solutions for an open office. While the budget may limit the final outcome, our solutions can range from sound masking to aesthetically pleasing sound-absorbing products. A simple rug, for example, can make a small difference in masking sound.
Sound masking plays a vital role in the open office floor plan. It allows the space to be visually open while providing the noise cancelling privacy needed for any office and still allowing for collaboration.
First- your employees are going to be a bit quieter when the open office concept is first introduced. They will adjust a bit to everyone hearing the conversation they put forth but guidelines on respect need to be put forth as well. For example, if headphones are on it means that people should not interrupt them. We also advise that additional locations should be provided for the private conversation. Small call rooms or phone booths are utilized with frequency that the employees will appreciate.
While open offices provide wonderful benefits – more access to natural lighting, a collaborative environment, less expensive to furnish… it also lends itself to a noisier office. There are ways to assist in controlling this – sound masking, providing quiet and louder work areas, and utilizing sound absorbing materials.
Clients should understand all aspects of where and how noise can come from/travel to. It is BOS’s job to recommend solutions and products to help better control their work environment, while also educating them on practices within the work environment that can help reduce noise impact.
Ambient noise and buzz can be a good thing and a bad thing. Idea buzz can stimulate creativity, but it can also be distracting. Depending on the job function and the culture, noise can inspire or distract. Understanding the client desires for their space is critical to mask or promote noise/buzz!
There are several ways in controlling noise in an open environment. Sound masking systems are very popular along with acoustical ceiling baffles. Other important factors is the choice of good acoustical ceiling tiles. Other things that may help is talking to employees and let them know music on phones can be done with ear plugs and also that loud conversations should be moved to meeting rooms.
When moving into an open office environment, users of the space may not initially be prone to using a lower voice when speaking, but over time, this becomes second nature.
Discussions about open office etiquette are helpful so clients understand what changes may have to be made in their space. Whether that is encouraging their employees to utilize phone rooms for conversations or understanding how to best use/implement collaborative spaces into a client’s office.
An open office may need to have dedicated quite spaces, sound masking, or sound-friendly furniture like plants which reduce sound.
Masking sound and creating a less noisy environment will increase the overall productivity of your employees.
Noise will travel in an open-office environment. To assist in controlling or minimizing the noise, adding acoustical absorption material improves this condition: Hang from the ceiling, Adhere / Affix to the walls, Carpet, etc.
They first need to evaluate the various zones in a workplace and determine which would require additional sound masking. Offering a variety of types allows for multiple uses and gives employees the ability to utilize each individual space to achieve a wide range of tasks.
Clients often think using low panels and adding a glass stack not only looks nice, but also provides an acoustical solution. That is not the case. Glass adds to the aesthetic of the space, but does not add any acoustical value to an open space.
Clients need to be aware of where more “heads down” locations are in their office. Different positions require different levels of focus and concentration and should not be located near collaborative areas.
Noise can negatively impact work productivity.
Providing Huddle Rooms or Phone Rooms can be the best way to minimize conversations in the open office.
In my experience white noise and sound masking are the most effective and economical solutions.
It’s important to plan for sound in an open environment. Implementing a system like white noise can greatly help your employees concentrate on their work, make fewer errors, and enjoy their overall work atmosphere.
Clients should know that while the open office concept is a growing trend, they need to be cognizant of the noise that could come from these areas. Alternative thoughts need to be discussed, from white noise/sound masking, to maybe some other huddle rooms where collaborating may get a little louder and more disruptive.
It helps reduce distractions and improves productivity.
There are acoustical elements that you can add to any of these spaces that will help control noise. These elements can be part of the panel systems or stand alone pieces of furniture that will help absorb sound.
When choosing to install an open office and/collaborative area, it is important to keep in mind that no matter what you do you will still have some sort of noise. Acoustical furniture and separating areas with dividers can help with this.
