At a time when companies are focused on attracting and retaining talent, the work environment plays a key role. One of the most underrated -but also essential- aspects of this is acoustics. A good acoustic design in an office contributes to higher productivity, improved well-being and thus creates an attractive workplace that motivates employees to come to the office more often. To fully understand why this is so important, let's start at the beginning.
What are acoustics?
When we talk about acoustics and improving the acoustics of a room, it can have different meanings. To clarify, we distinguish the term acoustics into two different aspects:
Acoustic improvement This is about optimizing the sound environment within a room. The goal of acoustic improvement is to create a pleasant indoor environment by reducing echoes, reverberation and distracting background noise.
Optimal acoustics improvement results in:
Peace of mind: Less sound pressure, which reduces stress ².
Speech privacy: No distractions from conversations of colleagues.
Comfort: A balance between silence and functional noise levels.
Acoustic insulation This term refers to blocking noise from outside or between spaces, such as preventing noise pollution between meeting rooms and workstations.
Impact of poor room acoustics
We often name “poor” acoustics when the sound in a room is not, or not sufficiently, controlled. This results in unwanted sound reflections, reverberation and a lack of speech intelligibility. Such acoustic problems create an uncomfortable sound environment that is not only distracting, but also tiring for the people working there. Since we often spend much of our work week in the office, poor acoustics directly affect our well-being and productivity.
In an office with poor acoustics, employees may experience noise pollution, such as conversations, ringing phones or noise from office equipment. This leads to decreased concentration, increased stress levels and ultimately a decrease in productivity. Research shows that employees in a good acoustic climate can be up to 15% more productive¹. Moreover, they experience less fatigue and more job satisfaction².
For companies that support hybrid working, a pleasant office becomes a strategic asset. Employees are more likely to choose to come to the office if the environment is comfortable and productive, promoting team dynamics and collaboration³.
How to solve these acoustic challenges?
Optimizing acoustics can be done in several effective ways. As an employee, you can already make some adjustments yourself to improve the sound environment, but often it is more interesting to take a complete approach and (re)design the room acoustically. Some of the most popular solutions include:
Acoustic wall panels: Wall panels are particularly effective at reducing reverberation and absorbing sound, as they absorb the primary sound waves preventing the sound from being amplified or reflected back into the room (thus eliminating reverberation). This makes them ideal for rooms where acoustics play a major role.
Acoustic room dividers: These panels not only provide soundproofing, but are also ideal for partitioning off work areas and creating private or concentration zones. This maintains the open character and avoids an enclosed or stuffy feeling.
Plants and other decorations: Plants and decorations are a valuable addition to a good acoustic strategy. They can improve acoustics, but are often not sufficient on their own. A combination with other acoustic measures produces the best results.
Actieve noise cancelling (ANC) Headphones: Headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) can increase productivity by reducing ambient noise, promoting concentration. However, extensive use can limit social interaction and disrupt team dynamics by reducing physical presence and communication between colleagues ⁴.
Re-sound as a partner for a productive and attractive office
At Re-sound, we understand that every office space is unique, which is why we offer customized solutions that address the specific acoustical needs of your business. We offer our services in two different approaches:
As supplier: We offer a wide range of acoustic materials and products, such as sound absorbing wall panels (Interior & Solid) as well as partition walls (Divide) and ceiling applications. This is ideal for companies that want to install acoustic elements themselves.
As a full-service partner: We assist companies completely in their acoustic design, from consulting to the delivery of the solution. Our approach consists of three main steps:
Acoustic analysis: We start with an indicative calculation or a thorough acoustic analysis, depending on the situation and your needs, to assess the current acoustic situation in your office space.
Customized solutions: We design a plan based on the specific acoustical challenges and needs of the space.
implementiation: We provide careful and professional installation of the chosen acoustic solutions, so you can enjoy an immediately noticeable difference in sound quality.
Our innovative and sustainable approach makes us unique. We offer products and services that are fully circular and produced in Belgium in collaboration with the social economy. As a result, we not only contribute to better acoustics, but ensure that everyone who performs a task for re-sound can do so in the right conditions, with proper pay and with the necessary guidance.
With solutions such as sound absorption products, sound attenuation and sound solutions for meeting rooms, we position ourselves as the appropriate partner, with sound expertise, to bring your project to a successful conclusion.
Conclusion
Acoustics is an indispensable factor for a healthy and productive office. By investing in solutions such as acoustic panels and sound-absorbing partition panels, companies can not only improve the working environment, but also make their employees happier and more productive. Re-sound is ready to help you at every step of this process, with an approach that is sustainable, innovative and customized.
Sources
¹ World Health Organization. (2018). Environmental noise guidelines for the European region. https://www.who.int
² Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Environmental noise and health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
³ Knoll Research. (2013). The impact of office design on employee performance. https://www.knoll.com
⁴ Kuhn, D., Hill, N., & Wright, D. (2020). Social isolation and team performance: The effects of noise-cancelling technology on communication. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(6), 518-529.
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