Acoustic conditioning for offices
Acoustic comfort in offices is no longer a luxury—it’s an essential requirement to ensure productivity, workplace well-being, and clear communication.
The rise of open-plan layouts, glass-walled rooms, and collaborative zones has increased indoor noise levels, making acoustics a strategic challenge for any modern company.
This article explains why acoustics are so important in office environments, what the most common issues are, and which solutions work best depending on the space.
Why acoustics are key in office environments
Numerous international studies confirm that noise is one of the main factors affecting cognitive performance and job satisfaction.
“A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, involving over 1,000 shared-office workers, found that irrelevant speech noise is perceived as the main factor causing loss of concentration by 66% of employees in open-plan offices and by 69% in small shared offices.”
In short, an office with poor acoustics impacts:
Concentration and productivity
Emotional well-being
Meeting and video call quality
Privacy and confidentiality
Professional perception of the workspace
A good acoustic treatment transforms a noisy environment into one that is balanced, comfortable, and suited to modern work.
Most common acoustic problems and their solutions
1. Excessive reverberation in open spaces
Problem: Hard surfaces like glass, concrete, or exposed ceilings create excessive reverberation, overwhelming the sound environment.
Solution: Install sound-absorbing panels on walls, ceilings, and suspended elements. Perforated or microperforated wood panels effectively reduce reverberation (RT60) while maintaining an elegant aesthetic.
2. Lack of acoustic privacy in open-plan areas
Problem: Conversations easily travel between work areas, affecting both concentration and confidentiality.
Solution: Apply slotted or slatted panels to dividers, acoustic booths, and side walls to absorb sound and limit horizontal sound propagation.
3. Noise in high-traffic areas
Problem: Reception areas, internal cafés, or collaborative zones often become noise hotspots.
Solution: Use targeted treatments such as ceiling panels, sound-absorbing wall coverings, and decorative acoustic solutions to reduce sound energy at the source.
4. Disruptive reflections in meeting rooms and video call spaces
Problem: Glass surfaces and a lack of absorbent furniture cause echo, poor intelligibility, and a “boxy” or “tinny” sound.
Solution: Install microperforated or slotted panels, optimized for the human voice range (500–2000 Hz), on key walls within the room.
Benefits of good acoustic conditioning
Increased productivity and focus
Clearer meetings, both in-person and online
Reduced mental fatigue
Improved privacy and confidentiality
More balanced and pleasant spaces
A more professional and polished corporate image
Companies that invest in acoustic comfort report lower noise-related stress and higher team satisfaction.
Common applications in office environments
Open workstations: ceiling and sidewall panels to reduce overall noise levels
Meeting rooms: strict reverberation control using microperforated panels
Phone booths: voice-focused sound absorption
Reception areas: slatted panel solutions that combine design and comfort
Break areas: perforated or slotted panels to lower ambient noise
Corridors: sidewall treatments to prevent sound transmission between departments
Decustik solutions for modern offices
We design panels tailored to the workplace environment, combining performance, design, and durability.
Most commonly used materials:
Perforated panels – efficient absorption in open spaces
Slotted panels – lateral sound control with a clean, linear look
Microperforated panels – ideal for meeting rooms and video call spaces
Slatted systems – contemporary design with balanced sound absorption
Custom solutions – integration with lighting, furniture, or architecture
All our products are made from high-quality technical wood, available on request with FSC or PEFC certification.
If you’re considering improving the acoustics of your office, we’ll be happy to help you find the most suitable solution for your corporate space.
*Di Blasio, S.; Shtrepi, L.; Puglisi, G.E.; Astolfi, A. A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Impact of Irrelevant Speech Noise on Annoyance, Mental Health and Well-being, Performance and Occupants’ Behavior in Shared and Open-Plan Offices. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020280
