Sound is the factor that most affects performance in a workplace. That’s the opinion of Christina Bodin Danielsson, who is researching the impact of the office environment on employees. She believes that an attractive and comfortable office is not a luxury – but a factor for success.
Today we work in large-scale open spaces and more flexible workplaces. These are working environments that are prone to lots of noise and visual disruptions. Consequently, it is necessary for furnishings to be planned to ensure as optimal a workplace as possible.
Through the use of sound-damping furniture and absorbing acoustic panels, you can reduce the sound reflections and thereby enhance creativity among employees.
“Noise has a direct negative effect on conflicts,” says Christina Bodin Danielsson, one of Sweden’s foremost researchers within this field and also a practising architect.
Furniture that improves the acoustic environment has long been a central component in Offecct’s product development. Joachim Schubert, R&D Manager, explains why:
“The core of any interaction between people is communication. It has consequently been self-evident for those of us working on meeting places to strive to improve the basis for excellent and relaxed communication. The acoustic properties are therefore taken into account right from the start in our design work.”
Is demand growing for furniture that not only offers comfort and is aesthetically attractive, but also incorporates other functions?
“Yes, there’s a big difference compared with earlier. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of creating a good sound balance and are choosing furniture that also has an acoustic function. In addition, there is increasing interest in functions that enable our products to be used as temporary workplaces, e.g. with surfaces for tablets and laptops and facilities for charging.”
Back to the world of science. Christina Bodin Danielsson has also come to the conclusion that there are fewer conflicts in a large office environment. She points out that colours and furnishings also affect performance in the workplace.
“Slightly warmer colours can mean that people are more active and learn more. The position and layout of different meeting places at the office is also important,” says Christina.
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