How do you ensure optimal office acoustics?

That means that extra attention must be paid to the layout of the workplace. One of the major challenges here: office acoustics. In open plan offices, the noise level is often experienced as disruptive, to the detriment of productivity and more crucial yet, the satisfaction and retention of talented employees.

The biggest challenges to good office acoustics

The acoustics of the office have a great influence on how the working environment is perceived. Good acoustics mean that when you are working in the office you won't be disturbed by the people around you. A poorly designed acoustic environment can lead to unpleasant circumstances. Not only can an interrupted focus be a problem, but people can also suffer from stress, headache, and in the worst cases even burnout, because of bad acoustic design.

If employees do not enjoy working in the office, the chance is great that they will stay at home. When employees don't come to the office, they are less likely to build a bond with the company and with their colleagues. This makes employee retention more difficult.

One important challenge is how to manage noise optimally in a shared working environment in which different types of work are performed. Conversations should not distract colleagues who want to concentrate on their work, while in collaborative workspaces it is important that you can hear and understand each other well. So is there actually a way to ensure that all these different people with all these different goals can work in one office? Of course! Achieving good acoustic quality is done by making various provisions in, for example, the architectural design, the accommodation concept, and the interior design of the building.

Fast solutions for improving office acoustics

A variety of steps can be taken to improve acoustics in the working environment. First, determine if the space is suited to the work you want to do. If you want to work together, for example, you are more likely to sit in an open space. And then again, if people need to make lots of calls, you want them to do so in a closed space.

Quick solutions can often go a long way. For example, simply installing a sound-absorbing ceiling ensures a good basic acoustical quality. But think of other simple solutions, such as installing carpets or offering special facilities such as telephone booths. Even facilities such as acoustic partitions between desks can provide a quick solution.

Are you going to start designing the working environment differently for improved acoustics? Be sure that it is clear what each room is intended for. For example, you don't want the design of the ‘quiet space’ to invite you to chat with your colleagues.

But what if all the solutions you have applied do not yet have the desired effect on the acoustics of your working environment? Then it is time to think about other measures.

The real value of good office acoustics

Creating a healthy and safe office requires a good combination, and deployment of, the right expertise. We see that organisations are getting a better grip on their work processes, and which facilities are connected to this. To support you in making important choices in this process, we map out the sound experience of employees and we use measurements to monitor and inventory the use of office facilities. Our acoustic consultants work closely with housing consultants and architects to investigate acoustic quality scenarios. We then assess these scenarios with 3D acoustic simulations, based on noise measurements on location.

Want to know how we can help you create a great work environment? Read more on our page about the healthy and safe built environment or get in touch with our experts.