Minimalist design, industrial accents, open spaces – this is what today’s offices look like, designed to support creative work and collaboration. However, aesthetics based on raw concrete, glass and steel, although impressive, come with a hidden cost: noise. This is a nuisance that directly affects the efficiency, well-being and health of the team. So how can the problem of noise be solved to make the office not only beautiful but also fully functional?
Sources and effects of noise in the office
Noise in the office environment is a complex problem involving sounds from many sources. The most common include conversations between colleagues, the sounds of devices such as telephones, printers and shredders, as well as the hum of technical installations such as ventilation and air conditioning. An additional factor is noise coming from outside the building.
The effects of prolonged exposure to such acoustic conditions are much more serious than temporary discomfort. The human body does not get used to noise – its nuisance and negative impact remain constant, which affects the well-being and productivity of employees.
- Concentration problems and decreased work quality: noise is the main factor hindering concentration. Approximately 70% of employees declare that their productivity would increase if the office were quieter [1]. Laboratory tests conducted by CIOP-PIB have shown that in conditions of constant, monotonous low-frequency noise (generated, for example, by ventilation, air conditioning or servers), more than half (53%) of the respondents had problems concentrating [2]. This leads to an increase in errors, reduced productivity, and constant noise weakens the motivation to take on difficult tasks.
- Chronic stress and mental fatigue: for 52% of employees, the noise level in the workplace is stressful and causes greater irritability [3]. Noise acts as a chronic stressor on the body, negatively affecting the entire body – from the circulatory system, through the digestive system, to the nervous system.
- Increased risk of lifestyle diseases: scientific studies show that exposure to noise above 60 dB, a level often found in offices, can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 22% [4].
The problem is exacerbated by the popular trend for raw finishes. Hard, smooth surfaces cause sound waves to bounce off them, creating reverberation noise. Even if the overall noise level is not high, reverberation is tiring, distracting and significantly reduces speech intelligibility.
Basic methods of combating noise in the office
There are several key areas to focus on to initially improve acoustic conditions. The following tips are good starting points for thinking about interior adaptation.
Ceilings – a key surface in combating reverberation
The ceiling is the largest and most important surface for combating noise. The most effective solutions are full suspended ceilings or spot-mounted islands and free-hanging panels (baffles) made of materials with a high sound absorption coefficient (αw of 0.90-1.0). They are particularly important in high rooms and where access to installations under the ceiling is necessary.
Walls and partitions – noise reduction and zoning
To prevent adverse sound reflection between parallel walls, wall acoustic panels are used, mounted at the height of employees’ heads. In open-plan offices, it is also crucial to create smaller zones using partitions. Free-standing screens or desk partitions (at least 50 cm high from the tabletop) must be made of sound-absorbing material.
Floors and interior decorations – details that matter
The floor finish is also a key element. Soft carpet effectively dampens the sound of footsteps and reduces sound reflections, absorbing an average of 15% of sound waves. In comparison, hard flooring, such as wood, absorbs only 5% of waves, reflecting the rest and amplifying noise. Other design elements also help to create a pleasant acoustic environment: heavy, densely pleated curtains can separate meeting areas, while open bookshelves filled with books or large groups of plants act as diffusers that scatter sound waves, preventing them from interfering with each other.
The use of sound-absorbing wall panels
The use of sound-absorbing panels on walls is an important addition to the adaptation, especially in noisy areas. Without them, sound bounces off hard surfaces and spreads throughout the room. They should be installed at the height of the voice emission source (at the height of employees’ faces), especially when the walls are close to the sound source.
When basic methods are not enough? The most common mistake in office acoustic adaptation
A common mistake in the fight against noise is to act intuitively – hanging random panels or installing screens without first analysing their effectiveness. This approach rarely produces the desired results because it does not address the real source of the acoustic problem, leading to unnecessary costs and frustration.
A professional approach to acoustics is based on data, not guesswork. The basis is a precise diagnosis, i.e. acoustic measurements carried out in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 3382 standard. Based on the results obtained, we create acoustic simulations. They allow us to virtually check the effectiveness of various solutions and adjust the adaptation so that the interior meets the requirements of the PN-B-02151-4 standard.
The result of this process is a tailor-made concept for the acoustic adaptation of the office interior – a detailed action plan that guarantees the achievement of the intended goals and the adaptation of the solution to the character of the interior.
Good acoustics in the office – an investment that pays off
Noise management in the office is not a struggle for sterile silence, but a conscious effort to create a healthy working environment that supports efficiency. It is an investment that pays off in the form of better concentration, less stress and a real increase in the productivity of the entire team. Our process is a proven path to achieving this goal – we start with precise measurements and simulations, which we use to create a design with practical recommendations. Once implemented, a space that is currently distracting becomes a place conducive to concentration and effective work.
Turn noise into silence — contact us!
Are you facing a similar noise challenge in your company? Do you require measurements, expert advice, or a dedicated acoustic solution that will not disrupt your production?
Get in touch with us! Our specialists are ready to help you find the perfect solution and meet any acoustic challenge.
We are available on working days from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
[1] Čekan P, Rusko M, Il’ko J, et al. Elimination of excessive noise at the open office workplace [Eliminacja nadmiernego hałasu na otwartym stanowisku pracy biurowej]. Vedecké Práce Materiálovotechnologickej Fakulty Slovenskej Technickej Univerzity v Bratislave so Sídlom v Trnave. 2019;27:44.
[2] Kaczmarska A, Łuczak A, Sobolewski A. Uciążliwość hałasu niskoczęstotliwościowego podczas wykonywania prac wymagających koncentracji uwagi – badania w warunkach laboratoryjnych. Bezpieczeństwo Pracy. Nauka i Praktyka. 2006;6:11-15.
[3] Čekan P, et al., Elimination of excessive noise…, s. 44.
[4] Bortkiewicz A, Czaja N. Pozasłuchowe skutki działania hałasu ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem chorób układu krążenia. Forum Medycyny Rodzinnej. 2018;12(2):41-49.
[5] Kamińska J., Szubert M., Radosz J., Kapica Ł., Hałas na stanowisku pracy biurowej. Poradnik dla pracodawców i pracowników, Warszawa: Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, 2022.