Modern offices are dominated by the open-plan design. While this has been great for fostering collaboration, it’s not been so good for concentration. Background noise, plus the implication that people can be interrupted while they are working, results in a lack of focus and lower productivity. Fortunately, there’s no need to go back to the cubicles to fix this. Employees just need somewhere to escape to for some silent, uninterrupted work time, like an acoustic booth.
Read on to find out how these soundproof booths could help bolster productivity in your office like home.
What Is an Acoustic Booth?
An acoustic booth is an enclosed unit that creates a quiet, private space within an open environment, like outdoors or in an open-plan office. In a sense, it is similar to the confessional in a church or a freestanding sauna room, but booths for the office are equipped for working. Expect to find a desk, plug sockets, and comfy seats.
They come in many different sizes, from one-person pods to larger meeting booths where teams can work in private. They are also usually portable, or at least modular, meaning that they are easy to move to different locations. Soundproof materials are used to construct them, which keeps external noise out and prevents internal noise from escaping. At least one wall is usually made from transparent glass so people can see when the booth is occupied.
Reduced Noise for Better Focus
From the low hum of servers and air-conditioning units to the tapping of fingers on keyboards, noise is the number one distraction in office environments. In an open office, you’re also likely to overhear conversations, doors opening and closing, and other sounds. None of this is good for focus. Even low-level ambient noise can make it difficult to concentrate, making you work slower and produce more errors.
This is an especially big problem for tasks that require intense focus, like writing, coding, and even problem-solving. Providing employees with somewhere they can seek refuge from distracting sounds results in them getting more high-quality work done. It also improves their satisfaction.
Hybrid and Remote Collaboration
Hybrid workplaces have become much more common of late. This means that, on any given day, a business will have some of its employees in the office and some working remotely at home. Often, the ones in the office will need to interact with the workers at home, usually by checking in with them virtually through a video conferencing app like Zoom. This can disrupt the people around them.
However, by taking these catch-ups into a soundproof stall, they do not create audible or visual distractions for the workers around them. It also makes communicating online easier. No background noise will be picked up by the microphone and disrupt the meeting, and the other person will be heard clearly.
Wellbeing in the Workplace
Acoustic booths do more than simply boost productivity in the ways discussed above. They’re also good for the wellbeing and satisfaction of employees. Workers who do not feel that their environment enables them to do their best work are likely to grow frustrated. If they feel like they are subjected to constant noise and interruptions, and that they lack personal space, this can cause a lot of stress, especially in high-pressure environments.
Fortunately, you don’t need to choose an office floor that minimises noise or undertake any other major refurbishments. There’s no need for an office overhaul. The momentary respite of stepping into a quiet, enclosed space, and even just knowing that they are available, can relieve a lot of workplace stress.
Office Space Efficiency
Just as refurbishing your whole office probably isn’t ideal, neither is expanding it. Office space is expensive, so it’s a lot cheaper to make the most of the space you have than to rent or buy more. Many companies do this by using modular or movable furniture. This gives them the flexibility to rearrange the office to better suit their needs at any time.
However, traditional flexible office solutions like movable partitions do little to change the sound environment, and installing a whole new room is expensive and might require permits. Acoustic booths are an ideal middle ground. They create an ideal environment for focus, but they’re also mobile. This makes them a good solution for offices that value flexibility like home.
Individual Work Enhancements
Booths offer some benefits for groups, in that they can be moved around, but meeting rooms can’t. However, their real advantages shine through in relation to individual work. As we’ve discussed, noise and distractions in open-plan spaces can make focused work difficult, but booths provide a welcome escape from these things when people need it.
At the same time, individuals feel welcome to use them in a way that they may not with meeting rooms. The latter often need to be booked and are obviously intended for groups. Beyond this, booths also encourage productive working habits. People don’t want to hog them all day, so they block out time to use them and usually have a specific task in mind to complete while inside. This stops them procrastinating and multitasking.
Confidential Conversations
The stereotype often seen in TV and films is that confidential office conversations take place in the stairwell, or perhaps the kitchen. There is some truth to this, especially in the case of open-plan offices, as they are sometimes the only places where privacy can be found. However, they are inconvenient and not truly private. Anybody could walk into the same area and overhear what’s being discussed.
This is no good if an employee is raising an important, sensitive issue to a senior or HR. Acoustic booths, because of their soundproof engineering, offer a much better solution. Whatever is discussed inside cannot penetrate through the walls and be heard by people on the outside. This creates a secure environment where important conversations can take place safely.
Conclusion
Installing an acoustic booth or several is a dependable way to improve your business. There are clear benefits in terms of both productivity and employee satisfaction. It may not be high-tech, but it’s been a game changer for modern offices, offering a hassle-free way to create an ideal environment for focus.
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