Sound-absorbing furniture helps to create a healthier workspace
Open plan offices often don’t include any separating walls and therefore often have problems with resonance, meaning that sounds reverberate for too long. Creating a more pleasant environment requires us to dampen all kinds of different sounds, such as fans, people’s footsteps, conversations and phone calls, and other background noises.
People’s perception of sound depends on a variety of factors, including level and frequency, but also the type of the sound: whether it is constant or fragmented, noise or music.
How does a noisy workspace affect employees?
01/ Dissatisfaction with the workspace
69% of people are not satisfied with the noise level of their open plan office (A study by Gensler). 13% of people have even considered changing jobs because of the noise level in their office and they are resentful towards management who can work from a private office.
02/ Tiredness and stress
Constantly noisy working environment leads to tiredness and stress. That furthermore decreases employees ability for focus and be productive.
Solution: sound-absorbing furniture
Our acoustic environment plays a major role in our lives. It affects our working efficiency and ultimately also our health. Furniture with acoustic qualities is both functional (provides seating) and reduces office noises and echo. Acoustic absorption means that sound does not reflect off a material after reaching it. That is also the principle of designing furniture with acoustic properties: furniture has to absorb the sound that would otherwise reflect back and contribute to unwelcome noise. Materials with good sound absorption are porous and breathable.
- Sound absorbing: the wall panels of our furniture is padded, upholstered and covered with felt fabric that has good sound absorbing qualities. One workstation (August 2S/H1) absorbs just as much sound as 7 to 9 acoustic wall panels with measures 600x600x50mm.
- Practical: compared to acoustic wall panels, furniture has bigger practical value since it allows you to create different zones and private workstations in the office.
