What exactly can you expect from different kinds of acoustic treatment? Which types of treatment should be prioritised and how does one treatment affect the other? In this post we interview Dr. Valtteri Hongisto about a unique and comprehensive study that provides new insights into effective acoustic design of offices. Researchers Valtteri Hongisto, Jukka Keränen […]
Offices
ISO 22955: Acoustic quality of open offices
A new international standard was recently released focusing on one of the most complex indoor sound environments, the open office. Delivering you clear instructions for creating great acoustics in demanding environments is one of our main objectives, so we are happy to update you on the new ISO 22955. So what is its scope and […]
New standard for open-plan offices released
ISO 22955:2021 Acoustics — Acoustic quality of open office spaces This newly released international standard focuses on open office spaces. Office spaces are notoriously difficult to design from an acoustic standpoint. ISO 22955 will provide much needed clarity and guidance for acoustic designers. By dividing the activities of office work into subcategories and detailing all […]
Irrelevant speech is a risk for your health
In offices, noise control should be a priority as unwanted sound causes stress. Continuously elevated stress levels are a health risk. Turku University of Applied Sciences and University of Turku have conducted the first Finnish medical study on the physiological, psychological, and performance effects of irrelevant speech. Office noise consists primarily of this kind of […]
Design Dive: Open Offices – Part 1
Is the open office a thing of the past? How can verbal communication be the main reason for its existence and simultaneously its biggest acoustic problem? We give you the answers and the solutions in this series on acoustic design of open offices. In this three-part Design Dive series, we, as always, bring you both […]
New research summary available – Impact of noise in the workplace
This recently released research summary is a result of a literature review of about 193 studies and presents the most relevant findings on how noise affects people in the workplace. The studies were selected on the basis of scientific quality and as a representation of certain aspects of the impact of noise. This post will […]
Open-plan offices and viruses – What are the acoustic implications?
The nature of work has changed, and with it, the way we design offices. But how will this change the sound environment of future offices and what does it mean for the acoustic design of workplaces? By far the space layout with the highest risk of infection in the modern office is the various […]
Neurodiversity – should acousticians be paying attention to this topic?
There is ever increasing acknowledgement of the need for diversity of thought within all spheres of society. When it comes to the workplace, understanding more about this topic and how people on the edges of the spectrum can be better supported within workplaces, will contribute to evolving organisations into more inclusive environments. “Neurodiversity” refers […]
Design Dive: Rooms Fit for Video Conferencing
It has been predicted again and again that video conferencing would become a ubiquitous part of professional life. Now, it seems it is here to stay, but there are still work to be done before this technology can live up to its full potential. Never before have so much professional interaction taken place remotely, through […]
Seeing sound: Psychoacoustics of work and play – Learning sessions in the time of Covid-19
The global Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the way we live and work. Connection is both far more challenging due to social distancing measures, and also far easier because of the connectivity that is provided through the internet and digital platforms. Everywhere one looks, there is another previously face-to-face activity that has been moved online […]
