At the recent ABX conference in Boston, acoustic consultants Ioana Pieleanu and Kelsey Rogers of Acentech, delivered an excellent best practices session for dealing with today’s often cacophonic office environments.
Designers interested in creating more habitable workspaces must remember their ABCs: absorb it; block it; cover it. “ABC works together—it is really not one or the other, ” said Rogers. Wall panels and absorbent ceiling panels are the most common means to implement the “A” technique, as hard ceilings simply carry conversations further than anyone wants them to go. And while many won’t want to hear it, as far as “B,” the consultants noted the good old cube, at least a full divider, played a big role in controlling noise, and still can. The good news, noted Pieleanu, is that there are lots of dividers with clear or translucent tops that still accomplish some noise reduction, while letting light pass. “C”—covering or masking, involves using an electronic device as a background. “You don’t want total quiet,” said Pieleanu, adding the sound from such machines is different than that of mechanical systems, which emit a lower-frequency noise most don’t find appealing. Sound-masking tech, which is not loud, is also an easier, after-the-fact fix, but is just part of the mix. Another “C”—Culture—should not be overlooked. “Etiquette matters. The way the space is used matters, and how loud people speak in certain areas matters. So, don’t put public areas next to work stations,” said Pieleanu.
Below are some acoustic products that caught our attention that might help you with your ABCs.
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