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Een modern kantoorinterieur met een open werkruimte, houten tafels en stoelen, planten en een kleurrijke bloemenmuur op de achtergrond. In het midden staat een donkere kolom en rechts is een hoge boekenkast zichtbaar. Het geheel heeft een warme, creatieve
Een modern kantoorinterieur met een open werkruimte, houten tafels en stoelen, planten en een kleurrijke bloemenmuur op de achtergrond. In het midden staat een donkere kolom en rechts is een hoge boekenkast zichtbaar. Het geheel heeft een warme, creatieve
Michel Kars
Michel Kars on 26 May 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes
Knowledge & trends

5 Tips to improve acoustics

An office with enclosed spaces? You don’t see that very often these days. Large, beautiful open workspaces are preferred. And for good reason – an open space inspires creativity and makes it easy to communicate with your colleagues. With the rise of large open-plan offices, new challenges also emerge, such as improving acoustics in the workplace.

How do you prevent an office from echoing? This is one of the most frequently asked questions we’ve been hearing lately. It makes sense, because nobody wants to work in an office that echoes. If you’ve ever been in an office with poor acoustics, you know exactly what we mean.

Fortunately, there are many ways to improve office acoustics. In this blog, we share five tips to enhance the acoustics in your office.

What is acoustics?

To know how to improve acoustics, you first need to understand what it is. Acoustics is related to sound. Sound consists of vibrations that interact with the space and the materials used within it. Some materials absorb sound, like fabric and accessories. Other materials reflect it, such as concrete, windows, and bare walls. Can you already see where offices often go wrong?

When it comes to acoustics: the more soft materials in a space, the better the acoustics.

Een modern kantoorinterieur met een industriële uitstraling, betonnen plafond en zichtbare leidingen. In de ruimte staan witte tafels en stoelen, een vergaderruimte met houten tafel en stoelen achter een halfhoge wand, en een groene gordijnwand die de rui

Tip 1: Create corners and separate areas

It can be tempting to place as many materials as possible against the walls, but this actually causes echoes – and that’s exactly what you want to avoid. Solve this by creating separate corners or small zones within the larger space.

This not only improves acoustics but also provides privacy. Use room dividers or fabric curtains to separate the space without losing the open feel of the office.

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Tip 2: Use soft materials

Accessories made of soft fabrics, upholstered furniture, and rugs all contribute to better acoustics. This is because soft materials absorb sound. Textured materials capture more sound than smooth surfaces. Prefer a minimalist office without too many accessories? Then opt for acoustic panels.

Is your office on an upper floor? A soft floor can help dampen the sound of footsteps – good for you and the neighbors below!

Planten_onder_trap_DeSleutels

Tip 3: Choose plants for the office

Plants are our green friends when it comes to acoustics. You might not expect it, but they absorb sound better than most other solutions.

Consider adding more plants to your office. The options are endless: will you go for a large plant, a plant wall, or a moss wall? A plant-filled room divider is also an easy way to divide a large space. A win-win if you ask us.

Plants don’t just improve acoustics,  they also create a healthier work environment. Perfect, right?

Gordijnen_kantoor_M=5

Tip 4: Curtains in the office

Large windows and plenty of natural light are wonderful in an office. The downside? Windows reflect sound, which worsens acoustics. You can solve this by combining them with soft materials, such as curtains.

Choose curtains that match your office interior, such as roller blinds, pleated blinds, or vertical blinds.

GrandVision_Schiphol_akoestische_panelen

Tip 5: Acoustic panels

Last but not least, it’s no surprise that acoustic panels contribute to better office acoustics. They come in all shapes and sizes. From felt to cork, there’s always something that fits your office style.

You can place the panels on the ceiling above workstations, for example. This is not only functional but also looks stylish. We often integrate these panels into our designs.

Want to really improve your office acoustics?

Then combine the different options for the best results. You’ll notice a big difference in how sound behaves in your office. Need help with this? BESPARK is happy to assist!

About the author

Michel Kars

Senior Projectmanager

Michel’s specialty is technical consulting. He supports his projects with in-depth technical advice. His thorough knowledge enables him to provide targeted guidance, effectively addressing complex technical challenges and helping bring projects to a successful completion. In addition to his role as Project Manager, Michel is a BREEAM expert in the field of new construction and renovation. Where needed, he ensures that our designs comply with BREEAM guidelines.

More about me
Michel Kars

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