Acoustics in Open-Plan Offices

In open-plan offices, there are often large windows and smooth walls. Both factors cause long reverberation times, which consequently boost the noise levels in full offices and make it very difficult to communicate. Studies have shown that such noise pollution dramatically hampers employee performance. It is therefore worthwhile for companies to invest in proper workplace acoustics.

IRT’s specialists forge acoustic improvements for open-plan offices. Thanks to simulation software developed by IRT, the efficacy of individual measures can be calculated in advance and rendered audible – before any decisions need to be made! It is possible, for example, to listen via headphones to the anticipated impact of various partition walls or specialised wall linings. This approach offers a distinct benefit: resources are invested only in those measures which will considerably enhance workplace acoustics.

Reference projects

• Open-plan offices (postal facility and editorial department) at Deutsche Welle in Bonn

• General consulting for public broadcasters on all acoustic matters