Acoustic solutions for open-plan offices: a practical guide
Acoustic problems in open-plan offices are not new, but the combination of hybrid working, higher desk density and more video call activity has made them significantly worse in recent years. This guide provides a practical, non-technical approach to auditing your office’s acoustic problems and specifying the right solution, without needing a specialist acoustic consultant.
Why open-plan offices have a noise problem
Open-plan offices are acoustically problematic by design. They remove the sound-absorbing and sound-blocking properties of individual rooms and replace them with hard surfaces, ceilings, glass, concrete floors, desks, that reflect sound efficiently. A conversation at normal volume travels clearly to someone 10 metres away. Multiply this by 40 people and you have a constant background noise load that is both fatiguing and distracting.
Research consistently shows that noise is the top complaint in open-plan offices, ahead of temperature, lighting and privacy. The WELL Building Standard and BREEAM both include acoustic performance targets for this reason.
The hybrid working effect on office noise
Hybrid working has changed the acoustic profile of open-plan offices in two ways:
- Higher peak density: when teams coordinate in-office days, the office fills up more than it would under a traditional full-time attendance pattern. Peak noise is higher than the pre-hybrid baseline.
- More video calls at desks: employees working in hybrid arrangements frequently take calls from their desks rather than booking meeting rooms. The result is simultaneous conversations in an open-plan environment, a noise source that did not exist at the same scale before 2020.
Both factors increase demand for acoustic booths (to handle calls privately) and acoustic panels (to manage the resulting ambient noise level).
The four types of acoustic product and when to use each
| Product | What it does | Best for | Does not address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic panel (freestanding) | Absorbs reflected sound near the panel | Zone separation, desk-level noise reduction | Speech privacy, distant noise sources |
| Ceiling baffle | Absorbs sound across the room from above | High-ceiling offices with reverberation problems | Speech privacy, direct noise paths |
| Acoustic phone booth (1 person) | Encloses caller, reduces transmission in and out | Phone calls, video conferences, focused work | Meeting space, team discussion |
| Meeting pod (2 to 4 people) | Encloses small group, reduces transmission | Informal meetings, sensitive conversations | Large meetings, formal presentations |
How to audit your office for acoustic problems
Use this checklist to identify what type of problem you have before specifying a solution:
- Can you clearly hear conversations happening more than 5 metres away? (reverberation and/or low ambient masking, panels or baffles)
- Do employees regularly complain they cannot concentrate due to noise? (absorption problem, panels, baffles)
- Are there regular complaints about lack of space for private calls? (privacy problem, booths)
- Do employees take calls from meeting rooms or vacant spaces because the desk environment is too noisy or too public? (privacy and noise, booths)
- Does the office have predominantly hard surfaces (concrete floor, glass walls, low-absorption ceiling)? (absorption problem, panels and/or baffles)
- Are meeting rooms consistently overbooked while employees struggle to find call space? (supply problem, pods or booths)
- Has headcount or desk density increased in the past two years? (absorption capacity may be insufficient, review panel coverage)
How to specify an acoustic solution without a specialist
For most open-plan offices, a straightforward specification process is:
- Measure the room: floor area (m²), ceiling height, number of regular occupants at peak
- Identify the problem type: absorption (noise/echo), privacy (calls/confidentiality), or both
- Estimate call volume: how many employees regularly take calls from their desk? This determines how many booths are needed
- Assess hard surfaces: glass, concrete and plasterboard all reflect sound. The more hard surface area, the more absorption is needed
- Share the floor plan: a supplier can suggest panel placement and booth quantity from a basic floor plan. You do not need acoustic measurements to get started
DRH Kind can advise on product selection and suggest a layout from a floor plan and a brief description of the problem. Email dave.hall@drh-kind.co.uk or use our contact page.
What to budget for acoustic solutions
As a rough guide for planning purposes:
- Freestanding acoustic panels: typically lower cost per unit, with significant variation by size and specification
- Ceiling baffles: cost depends on coverage area and installation method (suspended baffles require ceiling fixings)
- Single-person phone booths: mid to higher price range depending on specification and acoustic performance
- Meeting pods (2 to 4 person): highest cost, reflecting size, ventilation and acoustic specification
Contact us for a quotation on OTTOKIND acoustic products. We can provide a budget estimate from a floor plan and occupancy description.
Common mistakes when buying acoustic products
- Buying panels when the problem is privacy: panels reduce noise level but cannot provide speech privacy, if employees need to take calls, panels alone will not solve the problem
- Under-specifying quantity: a single panel in a large open-plan office has no measurable effect; effective acoustic treatment requires sufficient coverage of the hard surface area
- Choosing on aesthetics rather than performance: two products that look similar can have significantly different absorption class ratings, always compare NRC or absorption class figures
- Not checking booth ventilation: an unventilated booth becomes uncomfortable within 10 to 15 minutes; all OTTOKIND booths include ventilation as standard
- Ignoring the floor: hard floors are a major reflective surface; carpet or acoustic flooring beneath panels significantly improves their effectiveness
Frequently asked questions
How many acoustic panels do we need?
This depends on the room size, ceiling height and surface materials. As a rough starting point, acoustic treatment should cover at least 15 to 20% of the total room surface area (walls, ceiling, floor) to produce a noticeable effect. A supplier can calculate this from your floor plan.
Do acoustic booths use a lot of electricity?
No. OTTOKIND booths typically draw 60 to 150 W for lighting and ventilation, comparable to a desktop PC. Annual energy cost per booth is minimal.
How quickly can acoustic booths be installed?
Most OTTOKIND booths can be positioned and connected in under two hours. They require only a standard 13A socket and no structural work.
Will acoustic treatment improve our BREEAM or WELL rating?
Acoustic performance is included in both BREEAM and WELL assessments. Installing products with verified acoustic performance (absorption class or ISO 23351-1 test results) can contribute to credits in the relevant categories. Consult your assessor for specific credit requirements.
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