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Acoustic solutions for a large office with 28 workstations

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An open-plan office has 28 workstations in an area of approx. 344 m². Several communication areas are set up in the middle of the room. There are also cabinets, shelves, and rolling containers with a height of 1.2 m.

According to ASR A3.7, the reverberation time in the speech frequency range from 250 to 2,000 Hz must not exceed 0.6 seconds. This requirement is met in all the variants presented through the use of a full-surface acoustic ceiling, carpeted flooring, and acoustically effective communication and retreat areas.

The room is divided into six functional units (FU). High speech intelligibility is desired within the units, but low speech intelligibility between the units in order to minimize disruptive speech effects.

Solution option 1

Basic equipment with acoustic ceiling and carpet flooring

The acoustic measures include a full-surface acoustic ceiling and carpeted flooring. The functional units are separated for organizational purposes. There is no structural zoning or desk screens.

Acoustic values
  • Partial compliance with the permissible sound pressure level
  • Reverberation time in the speech frequency range 250 to 2,000 Hz: 0.5 sec.
  • High speech intelligibility between the functional units, resulting in increased disturbance.
Assessment

The reverberation time is within the permissible values, but there is a lack of acoustic separation. The high speech intelligibility between the functional units leads to significant disturbances, especially in areas designed for concentrated work. There is no clear zoning.

Ceiling elements

Solution option 2

Individual offices for concentrated work and desk screens

As acoustic measures, individual offices with fixed walls will be set up for FE 1 (concentrated work). All other rooms will be equipped with desk screens (55 cm above desk height). The rooms will not be divided into zones.

Acoustic values
  • Sound pressure level between FE 4 (concentrated) and FE 5 (communicative): 63 dB(A) – significantly too high
  • Improved sound pressure level at some workstations
  • Reverberation time in the speech frequency range 250 to 2,000 Hz: 0.5 to 0.4 sec.
  • Partial reduction in speech intelligibility
Assessment

Individual offices enable concentrated work in FE 1. For other areas where concentrated work is required (e.g., FE 4), a table-top screen is not sufficient. The noise level and speech intelligibility remain high between teams working in communication and concentration.

Dividers

Solution option 3

Additional partition walls and optimized furniture

The acoustic measures include individual offices for concentrated work (as in variant 2) plus desk screens at all workstations. In addition, there are 1.6 m high partition walls between FE 2 and FE 3 and between FE 5 and FE 6, as well as 1.6 m high shelves rotated by 90° to provide screening between the functional units.

Acoustic values
  • Significantly reduced sound pressure level – in some cases below 49 dB(A)
  • Reverberation time in the speech frequency range 250 to 2,000 Hz: 0.4 to 0.5 sec.
  • Reduced speech intelligibility between the functional units – STI below 0.5 at several points
Assessment

This variant offers the best acoustic solution within the open room structure. Sound pressure levels and speech intelligibility are significantly reduced. However, acoustic disturbances during parallel communication cannot be completely ruled out.

Dividers

Conclusion and recommendations

Overview table
  • The basic acoustic equipment with acoustic ceiling and carpeted floors is effective in all variants – but not sufficient without additional room partitioning.
  • Variant 3 offers the best combination of openness and acoustic control. However, structural partitions (individual offices or small group rooms) are preferable for concentrated work and simultaneous communication.
  • Through traffic in the middle of the room should be reduced or shielded by visual and acoustic partitions to avoid additional disturbances.
  • Zoning according to type of activity (concentrated vs. communicative) and comprehensive planning by specialists (acoustics, climate, lighting) is recommended.

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