Acoustics in the office: possible problems and our solutions
Reducing contact noise in the room
Contact noise, such as the tapping of heels on the floor or simply the sound of footsteps, can easily be dampened by placing carpets or carpet tiles .
Reducing reverberation in the room
Reverberation caused by the reflection of sound can be particularly annoying in an office environment. The cause is often the use of too many hard materials in the room. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions:
Acoustic ceiling panels
can either be incorporated into the ceiling or hung in the room, for example above a desk island. These panels can have all kinds of shapes and colors. Just think of clouds, circles, squares, etc. They can also be equipped with artificial plants or lighting and they consist of very different materials.
Acoustic wall panels
can be placed over an entire wall. Another solution consists of several panels spread over a certain wall. Here too there is a lot of choice in materials, shapes and colors. A panel can be, as it were, covered with moss or look like a slice of tree stump, or be provided with artificial plants or even look like a photo or landscape painting
Noise walls or screens
at the desk, the so-called desk screens, come in different colours, sizes and materials. They not only offer a solution against noise pollution, but also privacy in an open-plan office.
Floor screens or partitioning walls
between desks can create a kind of defined place in the room. In this way, they not only contribute to reducing noise pollution, but also to demarcating a personal space for the employee. Once again, these floor screens are available in all kinds of materials, colors and sizes.
Absorption columns
provide a playful and aesthetic space. Not only are they effective as a sound-absorbing element, they are also always movable and fit perfectly in any corner. The round shapes and soft edges of these columns are ideal for spreading sound and absorbing it well at the same time. They not only look like a classic column, they can also be triangular or square. Thanks to the possible material versions, they even add value as a design object in the room! There are even multi-colored sound-absorbing planters.
Acoustic booths
are really a 'room within a room', as it were, a sound-insulating room. These rooms, which are soundproof, offer the opportunity to hold separate meetings, provide privacy, form an individual quiet workplace or even be a relaxing rest room. The external sounds remain outside and what should remain indoors also remains there. This may involve semi-open spaces that are quiet, but also fully enclosed meeting rooms for different people that are soundproof or a so-called 'call box'. They are movable, equipped with electricity and ventilation and they have excellent acoustic values.