As more and more companies go for open office designs, finding a quiet space for a private conversation might be challenging. The problem is that acoustic challenges should be considered when designing new offices; however, they can significantly impact employee well-being and productivity. Here’s how to choose acoustic solutions that don’t ruin the design aesthetic of your whole office but allow you to hold professional meetings in peace.
Quiet place
As more and more companies go for open office designs, finding a quiet space for a private conversation might be challenging. But if you choose your conference room carefully, you should be able to find one without too much trouble. Here are some things to look for:
- Privacy – Obviously, this is essential in any office setting—whether it’s your cubicle at work or your bedroom at home. Privacy is paramount if you have confidential conversations with clients or coworkers in the room. If there isn’t enough privacy in an open office environment, it’s time to consider moving elsewhere!
- Quiet atmosphere – The last thing anyone wants during a session is distractions from outside sources, like construction going on outside their window or people chatting loudly across from them at another table.
Soundscaping solutions
Suppose you’re looking for ways to reduce noise levels in your meeting room, then think about making this space as comfortable as possible. Imagine how it would feel whenever someone spoke loudly in the next room, or a phone rang at your desk.
Some of these factors are easy to control using modular furniture or acoustic walls and ceilings—but what about flooring? If soundproofing floors is one of the sleeping giants of acoustic solutions and can make all the difference in blocking out distracting noises from other rooms
Choose modular furniture.
The easiest way to design a comfortable conference room is to choose modular furniture. This means that the furniture can be rearranged and configured in many different ways without using tools. Modular furniture also comes in different styles, materials and colours so you can find the right look for your space. By choosing modular conference tables and seating systems, you can reconfigure them based on your needs and add or remove pieces when needed.
The benefits of modular conference room furnishings include:
- Easy storage and movement from one location to another
- Easy reconfiguration for various meetings or events throughout the year
- Customisable design options based on your specific needs
Soundproofing floors
Soundproofing floors may be one of the sleeping giants of acoustic solutions and can make all the difference in blocking out distracting noises from other rooms.
Installing floor insulation can eliminate sound, making it perfect for any space where privacy is crucial.
However, soundproofing floors have their drawbacks. They can be expensive, difficult to install and maintain, and even harder to repair if you make a mistake during installation!
Designing the room
Designing a comfortable conference room can be as simple as designing a cosy room and adding some good acoustic solutions.
To design a comfortable conference room, you must first consider the space you have to work with. This includes not only the square footage of the room but also its acoustics. If your meeting room has poor acoustics and echoes when people speak there, it will be uncomfortable to use for meetings because participants will feel self-conscious about their voices.
You can address this by adding furniture that blocks sound from entering or leaving rooms, such as acoustic panels or carpets. While these solutions may seem expensive at first glance (especially if you don’t want anyone to know how much money was spent on them), they’re relatively inexpensive compared to other options like entire soundproofing walls. This would add hours to any renovation project because it is complicated to apply correctly without disrupting any other part of a building’s structure.
