How Does Acoustic Design Services Work?

Open offices encourage collaboration, yet they also bring about challenges with noise and privacy. There are good reasons to minimize office noise and its harmful effects, both for employees and the company as a whole. 

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Excessive noise in the workplace can reduce productivity, increase stress, and disrupt focus. Fortunately, implementing strategic acoustic designs can greatly reduce these negative impacts, enhancing employee satisfaction and boosting efficiency.

Key highlights

• Excessive office noise harms productivity and increases stress at work. Focusing on acoustic design mitigates the effects of sound pollution by focusing on the reverberation, absorption and distribution of sound.
• Open office layouts face challenges like lack of privacy, ambient noise, echoes, and external sounds. Soundproofing, sound masking, and dedicated zones for specific activities promote a healthier work environment.
• Besides the choice of acoustic materials, dividing the office into activity-based zones helps manage noise levels and supports different types of work.

Acoustic design promotes focused and productive work

A Leesman’s Research and Insights Unit survey found that many offices do not support critical work activities as effectively as home environments. One reason is the insufficient acoustic privacy and excessive noise levels at the office. Investing in acoustic design can reduce the harmful effects of office noise and promote a more peaceful, productive workplace.

Acoustic design refers to the planning and use of materials, layouts, and structures to control sound in a space. It is particularly important in office environments where employees can be exposed to great levels of distractions, both big and small.

With robust acoustic design measures, companies can reduce the effects of harmful noise and control sound transmission. Key aspects of acoustic design include:

• Sound absorption: Sound-absorbing materials and furniture, such as carpets and acoustic panels, reduce echoes and sound reverberation inside the office. 
• Sound insulation: Barriers and partitions between workstations and areas of the office prevent noise from traveling between them.
• Reverberation: Being mindful of adding lots of hard surfaces to the office design prevents sound waves from reflecting and spreading throughout the space. 
• Sound diffusion: Ensure sound is distributed evenly to prevent it from concentrating in certain areas.

Framery smart pods and booths use materials specifically chosen for sound insulation and absorption, resulting in optimal soundproofing and acoustics inside the pods. With the embedded sound masking system, Framery pods help reduce noise distractions and further protect speech privacy throughout the office.

Common acoustic design challenges in office environments

Modern office layouts favor open designs that encourage interaction and optimize the use of limited office space. Although these kinds of open offices have their advantages, they come with their own set of acoustic challenges:

• Lack of privacy: With fewer walls, open layouts allow companies to use their office spaces more effectively. Yet, they expose employees to conversations and other office distractions. Some workplaces are missing proper spaces for confidential meetings and private calls. 
• Ambient noise: Common office sounds like keyboards, notifications, calls, and machine noise contribute to a constant ambient sound. When background noise is at a low enough level (optimally around 50 decibels), it is less likely to act as a distraction. More importantly, when the source of office noise is other people, their speech should remain unintelligible.
• Echo and reverberation: High ceilings, large glass windows, and other hard surfaces can lead to a greater level of reverberation, amplifying sounds across the space. Softer, sound-absorbing materials, like acoustic wall panels, help combat excessive reverberation and echo in the office space.
• External noise: Not all sounds in the office come from within. Offices in busy city areas may also experience noise from traffic, construction, or other external sources that seep into the workspace.

Companies must rely on acoustic design to prevent unwanted sounds from disrupting focus, reducing productivity and increasing stress levels. Companies have several options for improving office acoustics and employee well-being.

Reserve enough Framery smart pods throughout the office to control noise levels and promote productive, distraction-free work. Besides their industry-leading soundproofing, Framery smart pods help to improve the acoustic design of the entire office. The Framery One Compact, Framery Four and Framery Six smart pods are equipped with sound masking technology that makes conversations and other sounds less distracting.

Activity-based zoning and office layouts

When employees cannot access meeting rooms for private discussions, office booths for taking calls, or relaxed break areas for casual conversations, the sounds of all activities in the workplace result in distracting noise levels.

To avoid this, offices should have designated areas and zones for different types of workplace activities. One way to do this division is by allocating different areas to:

• Focus areas: These areas should be as free of other distractions as possible to promote focused and productive work. In the event of a sudden call or ad hoc meeting, there is always an available meeting space nearby.
• Meeting spaces: These areas are confined spaces dedicated to meetings. As most meetings nowadays involve at least one remote participant, offices should have meeting spaces with the right technology. 
• Social hotspots: The workplace should have designated areas for more casual interaction, such as break rooms and lounges. Here colleagues can interact more informally or chat about non-confidential work matters. This kind of area should be kept separate from distraction-free work zones.
• Transition zones: Areas such as hallways, lobbies and corridors are not used for work but can still contribute to the overall acoustic environment. Use noise-absorbing materials and dividers to prevent footsteps and chatter from bleeding into focus-intensive workspaces.

Framery smart pods are a flexible, practical solution to acoustic design challenges in large and small offices. Unlike permanent structures, such as large meeting and conference rooms, different-sized pods and booths can be positioned and repositioned to suit evolving office layouts. Freestanding, soundproof units can be placed in the midst of noisy areas owing to their soundproofing. To provide optimal sound insulation, Framery smart pods achieve a speech level reduction of 30 dB.

At Framery, we work closely with architects and designers to create exceptional workspaces. We help by providing everything you need to bring your vision to life, including 3D models, material documentation, and more. Visit the For Architects page and read more about how Framery helps create workspaces that work.

To read more about incorporating Framery smart pods into your office design, download our Pod Placement Guide.

FAQ about acoustic design

When it comes to commercial Tenant Improvement projects, the need for meticulously planned acoustic solutions cannot be overstated. Especially with stakeholder expectations rising, it’s essential for everyone from architects and designers to facility managers and maintenance crews to consider the impact of sound on commercial operations.

But what acoustical considerations should be taken into account from the initial planning stages?

Let's dive in and find out!

1. The Impact of Noise Pollution During Construction

Noise pollution during construction can pose significant challenges for your commercial TI project, affecting not only the project's progress, but also the surrounding tenants or occupants. If you want to establish strong commercial relationships, you don’t want to upset other local businesses or members of your community.

Studies also highlight the negative impact of noise pollution on health and wellbeing. So, putting a limit on noise pollution during the construction phase should be more than just a factor of your development plan — it’s industry best practice!

Here are 3 strategies to consider when trying to mitigate noise pollution during construction:

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• Industrial equipment selection: Opt for quieter machinery to minimize disruptions to work progress and local tranquility.

• Sound absorption: Incorporate sound-absorbing materials like sound curtains or sound barrier fencing into construction plans to mitigate noise propagation.

• Community engagement: Collaborate with neighboring businesses and residents to develop proactive noise mitigation strategies. This can include recommending sound solution experts to implement sound masking or acoustic treatment solutions.

Tip: While sound masking isn’t typically considered a form of construction noise control, the introduction of ambient sound to a neighboring space during construction improvements can help minimize noise exposure and reduce the impact of disruptive sound to nearby people. Especially in environments like hospitals and office spaces, sound masking and noise control technology from brands like LogiSon® can enhance the overall ambience of the space, meaning less complaints for you and a more comfortable experience for all.

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2. The Purpose of Each Room During the Design Phase

Each room in a commercial space serves a distinct purpose, meaning tailored acoustical or sound masking systems are always the best way to go.

To achieve this, it’s essential to understand the specific needs of each area, so you can create an optimal acoustic environment.

When assessing the design of each room, consider the following:

• Privacy needs: Assess the level of speech privacy required in each space to safeguard confidentiality and ensure compliance.

• Paging & audio systems: Determine the need for customizable music and paging systems in your commercial space. These advanced systems can not only support the ambience in specific zones; they can also be essential for getting overhead massaging out to all occupants efficiently.

• Aesthetic integration: Consider ways to integrate sound solutions strategically into the desired look of your space, preserving the visual harmony of the environment.

• Reverberation control: Address potential reverberation issues in larger spaces to optimize clarity and speech intelligibility.

• Noise assessment & acoustical analysis: Consistently evaluate acoustic design and noise levels as your design progresses, identifying and addressing the need for properly controlling sound with innovative systems as early as possible.

• Material selection: Opt for sound-absorbing materials from leading brands that strategically optimize acoustics, while providing a wide range of design options.

Tip: When considering each separate space in your commercial development project, seek expert advice from full-service system design experts to ensure you're not only optimizing acoustics and aesthetics, but also meeting HIPAA compliance standards when it’s required (in healthcare spaces). Their expertise will help you navigate the complexities of privacy needs and regulatory requirements, ensuring that your space is both functional and legally compliant.

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3. How Adaptable Do Your Acoustical Solutions Need to Be?

Commercial spaces are dynamic environments that evolve over time. Acoustical solutions should be as adaptable as possible to accommodate future changes and developments.

Here are 4 tips for ensuring agile sound solutions:

• Expert collaboration: Partner with experienced acoustical consultants to anticipate and address future sound requirements. From mechanical systems to architectural acoustics, full-service system design and installation experts can take the bigger picture of your project into account.

• Versatile technologies: Invest in scalable sound technologies that can grow with your business or be customized to match the changing purpose of your space.

• Brand reliability: Choose trusted brands known for their innovation, reliability, and long-term performance. This includes brands like AKUSTUS®, LogiSon®, FlexaBoot, and more.

• Future-proofing: Anticipate shifts in occupancy and usage patterns to design solutions that remain effective long-term. LogiSon sound masking systems can be easily expanded, reduced, or uninstalled and moved to a new space due to the unique “plug and play” daisy-chained cabling design.

Tip: Did you know that some acoustic distributors can customize sound solutions like acoustic panels to match your business's branding and space design? Contact Sound Solution Group to learn more about the range of colors and designs we offer.

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4. Are You Prioritizing the Needs of People in Your Space?

Effective sound solutions prioritize the comfort and wellbeing of all occupants, promoting a positive commercial environment that can lead to not only increased productivity, but also greater stakeholder satisfaction.

So, what factors should you be considering when it comes to human-centric sound solutions?

When planning your commercial space, we recommend placing a focus on the following:

• Effective design: Designate quiet areas to provide a distraction-free environment for enhanced focus and productivity.

• Ambiance creation: Craft environments that evoke a sense of calm and welcomeness, contributing to a positive visitor experience and heightened satisfaction.

• Confidentiality assurance: Implement speech privacy measures to safeguard sensitive conversations and uphold confidentiality standards.

• Stakeholder diversity: Tailor sound solutions to accommodate the unique needs of various occupants, ensuring an accommodating environment for all.

Tip: When designing your commercial space, consider implementing engineering and administrative controls to manage worker exposure to noise. Utilize commercial acoustics principles to optimize room acoustics and create a comfortable environment for all occupants.

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5. Are You Enhancing Your Design with Acoustical Innovation?

Developing commercial spaces can be a lengthy and complex process, but partnering with sound solution experts can immediately streamline the process. Ensuring that your design is backed by comprehensive knowledge and experience, acoustic and sound technology specialists can enhance your design and help you deliver a project that exceeds all expectations.

Here are 5 ways Sound Solution Group can enhance your space with professional sound solutions:

• Custom designs: Receive customized acoustical and sound masking design solutions based on your project's unique requirements.

• Professional installation: Trust our experts to install and integrate sound masking and other acoustical systems seamlessly.

• Ongoing maintenance: Benefit from ongoing support and maintenance to ensure optimal performance no matter how your needs evolve.

• Access to leading innovations: Stay ahead with access to cutting-edge sound technologies and innovations.

• Regulatory guidance: Receive expert advice on regulatory compliance and industry best practices.

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Support Your Design Phase with Sound Advice

Navigating the complexities of sound solution design in commercial tenant improvment projects requires careful planning and expertise. Sound Solution Group is ready to help you achieve your goals and create dynamic and adaptable commercial environments.

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