The best acoustic solutions for open-plan offices in 2025 combine soundproof booths, acoustic room dividers and POD rooms. The most effective approach includes several solutions: soundproof telephone booths for concentrated work and calls, acoustic room dividers between workstations, and modular POD rooms for teamwork. These solutions improve the acoustics of the work environment by reducing distractions and creating functional zones within an open space.
Why is acoustics the biggest challenge in open-plan offices?
Open-plan offices pose significant acoustic challenges, as sound spreads unimpeded throughout the space. Telephone conversations, keyboard sounds and colleagues moving around constantly disrupt concentration. Poor acoustics have a direct impact on employees' well-being, productivity and ability to perform demanding tasks efficiently.
The most common problem with open-plan offices is echo and sound reflection hard surfaces. When there are not enough sound-absorbing surfaces in a space, the reflection of sound waves creates distracting background noise. This forces employees to raise their own voices, which further exacerbates the situation.
Another key challenge is the lack of privacy. When every phone conversation can be heard throughout the office, employees feel stressed and avoid making important calls. Confidential conversations become impossible without a separate space, which significantly impairs work efficiency.
What are the most effective acoustic products for open-plan offices?
The most effective acoustic products for open-plan offices are soundproof telephone booths, acoustic room dividers and POD rooms. Phone booths provide complete sound insulation for individual employees, while room dividers break up and absorb sound waves between workstations. POD rooms are a solution for teamwork and meetings without disturbing the rest of the office.
Soundproof telephone booths represent the highest level of acoustic performance. High-quality booths meet the requirements of class A in standard SFS 5904, and their speech transmission index (STI) has been measured at between 0.10 and 0.15 at normal speaking volume. This means that speech outside the booth is barely audible, ensuring the necessary privacy for confidential conversations.
Acoustic room dividers work effectively between workstations. They not only absorb sound but also break up sound waves, preventing sound from travelling long distances in the office. Room dividers create visual protection and define functional zones in an open space.
POD rooms offer modular solution, which can be installed without making changes to existing structures. They can be moved from one space to another as needed, making them a flexible option for changing office needs. All POD rooms focus on good acoustics, work ergonomics and increased privacy.
How do acoustic room dividers improve the working environment?
Acoustic room dividers improve the working environment by reducing sound transmission between workstations and creating visual privacy. They break up and absorb sound waves, preventing disruptive background noise from spreading. Partitions define functional zones in an open space without the need for heavy construction work.
The placement of room dividers has a significant impact on their effectiveness. Room dividers placed between workstations create a peaceful working environment by effectively absorbing sound. They work best when placed directly in the path of sound between workstations and shared spaces.
The materials used in acoustic room dividers have a decisive impact on their performance. A sound-absorbing wool structure covered with durable fabric offers the best combination of acoustic efficiency and durability. The material not only absorbs sound but also prevents sound waves from reflecting back into the room.
The height of room dividers has a significant impact on their acoustic performance. Taller room dividers provide better sound insulation, while lower models maintain a sense of openness in the space. The optimal solution depends on the needs of the office and the desired level of privacy and acoustic insulation.
When should you choose a telephone booth or a POD room?
A telephone booth is a good choice when employees need soundproofed room for individual calls, video conferences or focused work. The POD room, on the other hand, is suitable for situations where space is needed for 2-6 people for teamwork or meetings. The choice depends on how many people will be using the space at the same time and for what purpose.
Phone booths are ideal when there are a lot of phone calls and video conferences in the office. They offer complete privacy and sound insulation without the employee having to book a separate meeting room for a short phone call. This saves time and makes working more flexible.
POD rooms work best when meeting room availability is limited or when teams need flexible spaces for collaboration. They increase both working comfort and productivity by providing a quiet space for discussions without disturbing the rest of the office. POD rooms are also suitable for confidential discussions where privacy is of the utmost importance.
Modular POD rooms offer flexibility, as they can be moved from one location to another as needed. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to permanent structures. Delivery times for POD rooms start at six weeks, enabling rapid deployment.
How to design a comprehensive acoustic solution for an open-plan office?
Comprehensive acoustic solution Start by assessing the current situation and identifying problem areas. Assess which parts of the office are the noisiest and which areas require the most privacy. The most effective solution combines several acoustic products: soundproof booths for individual work, room dividers between workstations and POD rooms for teamwork.
Start planning by identifying the different zones in the office and their needs. Collaborative areas require different solutions than workstations that require concentration. Acoustic room dividers work well between workstations, while soundproof booths are placed in areas where complete privacy and quiet are needed.
Combine different acoustic products to complement each other. Room dividers create a foundation by dampening sound between workstations, while telephone booths and POD rooms provide complete sound insulation when needed. This approach creates a balanced acoustic workstation for every employee.
Consider the phasing and budgeting of the implementation. Start with the most critical issues and expand the solutions gradually. Modular solutions, such as movable room dividers and POD rooms, offer flexibility and enable changes to be made according to office needs without major investments in structures.
When designing acoustic solutions, it is important to balance functionality and aesthetics. Products must effectively improve acoustics, but at the same time they must fit in with the rest of the office interior and support the desired look. Nordic design combined with intelligent functionality creates a visually pleasing and practical end result.
