Making Sound Work For People, Not Against Them

Acoustics are both hugely relevant and often misunderstood in workplace design. We tend to judge offices by how they look, yet how they sound has as much impact on focus, wellbeing and culture. Poor acoustics quietly drain cognitive energy, raise stress and make collaboration harder. Done well, acoustic design is not about silence, it is about balance, clarity and choice.

The problem beneath the noise

Open plans, hard surfaces and generous glazing amplify and sustain sound. Even when you “tune out”, your brain does not. For neurodiverse colleagues in particular, auditory load can be exhausting. Thoughtful acoustic strategy is therefore an inclusion strategy, when we reduce cognitive friction for those most sensitive to sound, everyone benefits.

A layered approach beats a silver bullet

There is no single fix. The best results come from combining methods, tuned to each zone’s purpose.

Zoning and intent

Define quiet, collaboration and social zones.
Set behavioural norms and wayfinding so expectations are obvious.

Absorption (reduce echo/reverberation)

Acoustic wall panels: fabric‑wrapped or micro‑perforated timber to soak up sound and reduce echo.
Baffles and rafts: vertical or horizontal ceiling elements that absorb sound without needing a full ceiling.
Acoustic ceiling tiles: specialised tiles that absorb sound, or rafts where a full ceiling isn't suitable.
Soft finishes: acoustic carpets and underlays to quieten footfall; upholstered furniture and curtains to soften hard edges.

Isolation (stop sound travelling)

Insulation within walls: sound‑absorbing materials inside partitions to block noise.
Layering and detailing: using multiple layers of material and careful construction to prevent sound leaks.
Doors and glazing: specially designed doors and windows that block sound, with tight seals.

Diffusion and control

Bookcases, slatted timber and textured surfaces to scatter sound in meeting rooms, preventing echoes.
Strategic placement to avoid sound bouncing between parallel walls.

Masking (privacy without rebuilding)

Sound masking systems or curated ambient soundscapes to gently raise background noise, making conversations more private without being distracting.

Practical patterns that work

Focus zones: areas with high sound absorption and good sound blocking at boundaries, plus calm visual environments.
Collaboration zones: balanced sound absorption and scattering so voices are clear without being too loud.
Meeting rooms: designed to prevent sound leakage, then treated to reduce echo for clear conversations.
Social areas: lively but contained, with sound absorption to prevent noise spilling into adjacent work areas.

Details make the difference

Seal the edges: even the best walls fail if gaps around the perimeter, sockets or openings let sound through.
Mind the ceiling void: treat paths where sound can travel above partitions, especially with suspended ceilings.
Specify by performance, not product: focus on how well a solution reduces echo and blocks sound, rather than just the product itself.

Neuroinclusive by design

Acoustic comfort is foundational to neuroinclusive workplaces. Pair lower echo with controllable lighting, clear sightlines and retreat options, and you reduce cognitive overload while increasing autonomy and comfort.

Measuring what matters

Simple before‑and‑after measurements of echo and sound levels, plus feedback on speech clarity, build confidence and show what’s working. It is hard to improve what you do not measure.

A quick note on modular rooms

Modular rooms can complement, not replace, building‑wide acoustic strategy, offering guaranteed sound blocking for calls or sensitive meetings without major works. Our FuturePod range is designed with this in mind, you can read more here.

A business case for better acoustics

Acoustics are not an aesthetic add‑on; they are a performance and wellbeing enabler. Invest in the fundamentals and you will see:

• Better focus and fewer interruptions
• Clearer meetings and calls
• Lower fatigue and higher satisfaction
• A more inclusive, considerate culture

Sound is invisible. Its effects are not. Treat it as a first‑class design concern and your workplace will quietly start working much harder for everyone.