Comfort in the professional cocoon
“Open Space” has become the norm in most companies around the world, encouraging exchanges, communication and collaborative work. The observation is clear: creativity is nourished much more by exchanges and meetings than by the isolation of a closed office in rigid structures encouraging the consideration of hierarchies.
The open space has therefore imposed itself and makes it possible to make the most of the space by adapting to the size of the teams, by its modularity according to the needs.
These spaces are often sources of noise. Phone calls, colleagues tapping on their keyboards, chattering…noises that can be very disturbing for a good concentration. Acoustic office furniture has become an essential part of today’s workplace. It can significantly reduce disruptive noise and create a more peaceful and quiet office environment.
It’s not just about the furniture, it’s about the whole acoustic environment. A solution recommended and applied not only in offices, but also in stores, restaurants and all other spaces where noise can be a source of disturbance.
First of all, from an architectural point of view, one of the ways to minimize the influence of noise pollution is the acoustic insulation of structures. Various construction techniques are available on the market, adapted to the objective of each environment: soundproofing partitions, acoustic fabrics, flexible separation modules, special coatings, soundproof textiles (carpet and curtains), etc. innovations are numerous and more and more efficient in their manufacturing system.
In Europe, Asia and north and South America, acoustic companies are constantly developing materials based on increasingly precise soundproofing materials (rock wool, glass wool, hemp wool, cork, wood wool, cellulose wadding, etc.). The wadding remains one of the best phonic insulators. It dissipates sound waves and insulates from noise, whether it comes from inside or outside the building. Moreover, it is an ecololgical insulating material whose manufacture produces little grey energy.
According to the recent CSIL research report “The European market for office acoustic solutions”*, one of the main attractions of the acoustic furniture industry is its growth rate. Many major companies are seeing their market share grow exponentially (Steelcasem Frach, Haworth, Artopex, BuzziSpace, Orangebox, Boss Flexiform Business Furniture, Furnify, Strong Poject, Quadrifoglio Group, TH, Star Accoustic Material)
A revealing figure
The total surface area of acoustic panels currently consumed in the European office furniture sector is estimated at 2 250 000 m2, mainly used to produce continuous wall panels, self-supporting screens, high partitions, acoustic pieces, cabinet doors and office partition screens.
The acoustic partition walls
Decor and insulation
It allows the separation of space between employees. It is decorative and plays its main role as an acoustic element to capture and absorb noise. It is important to know that in France thee is a regulation tht requires that the level of sound insulation is 53 dB minimum with regard to the partition walls. The partition exists in cellular concrete, wood steel, textile, etc.
Acoustic office partition Focus Floor – Articulated, foldable
Acoustic screens
Anti-interior noise
They allow to preserve the intimacy of an employee, since they are very popular to protect oneself from the outside looks and to avoid the propagation of the noise of a space towards another. Moreover, they are solid and durable objects.
Design acoustic partition in the shape of a leaf
Acoustic booths and hubs
A room within a room
Some offices do not have a private meeting space, the “Phone box” and acoustic hub cn be the ideal solution. They function as a room within a room and are completely soundproof. They can be used as a conference room. or to organize individual meeting or interviews in complete confidentiality.
An acoustically insulated design meeting room
Soundproof phone boxes and meeting rooms made in France.
Eco-responsible and acoustic materials.
Acoustic furniture
A real decoration tools
The expression “Acoustic furniture” does not only refer to furniture that improves sound insulation in work spaces. It also evokes a certain luminosity of the places, a design and a touch of futuristic creativity. We can find sofas to exchange of wait. mini-lounges for creative people to discuss some ideas during a break and micro working or partitioned meeting spaces, everything is thought so that the collaborators and visitors have a space that suits their needs while having their soudproofing utility.
The acoustic carpet found in this open space in Dubai not only ensures the auditory comfort of the teams, but also participates in the CSR approach of the company. The carpet is made from recyclable materials on a durable, low-emission backing.
The weight of acoustic solutions in the office furniture industry is expected to increase significantly in the upcoming years. The global Acoustic Sensors market size has been estimated at USD 1 255.35 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 1 413.10 million by 2023. growing at a CAGR of 12.70% to reach USD 3 267.88 million by 2030. (Source: Report Linker).
Rockwool is the largest company in the global market and has a strong presence in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North American regions. The company has about 45 manufacturing sites in 39 countries. Othe major actors in the market include Kingspan, Owens Corning and Saint- Gobain among others.
*The European market for office acoustic solutions report analyzes acoustic trends in the office furnitue market, focusing on acoustic panels by application type and on the major European players in this segment, with brand positioning by specialization and by solution offered.
Countries covered: Germany, Austria and Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal, Sweden and Scandinavia.
Selected companies participating in the study: Actiu, Ahrend, Bene, Glide, Estel, Senator, Caimi, Egger, Fantoni, Kvadrat, ZilenZio.