Why “quiet zones” are essential for every office design

Peace can be difficult to find in the modern workspace. As society moves to adopt more integrated levels of technology and strives to increase connections, both locally and globally, the sound of keyboards tapping, multiple video meetings and constant workplace chatter can be highly disruptive.

In fact, according to a recent “workplace distraction report” from Udemy, 69% of workers “struggle” to cope with interruptions at work. The main cause of these distractions? Chatty co-workers (80%), office noise (70%) as well as disruptions through “small talk and office gossip”.

When factoring in the scale of the issue alongside the potential productivity lost through these unwanted distractions, it is no wonder the study ran with the strongly worded headline “Noisy, interruption-prone offices make employees unmotivated, stressed, and frustrated.”

With the recent shift in public opinion towards workplace flexibility and changing views on the role of the office in a modern economy, it is becoming ever more clear that workspaces need to be environments that provide a tangible boost to productivity. Noisy distractions, whatever the source, are obviously a risk to this innovative approach to the function of a corporate office. While it is widely accepted that there is a certain level of ambient noise that is calming to the brain and can even promote productivity, at the point where ambient, background noise becomes excessive and productivity dampening, modern office designs must provide alternative solutions.

Quiet zones in the workplace allow office designers to create agile, flexible working environments where employees are free to move around the space dependant on the level of concentration and focus they need to complete a task. By introducing spaces where people feel well looked after, both mentally and physically, office designers can ensure that their space remains a functional, effective, and productive space that employees enjoy being a part of.

Creating effective quiet zones is not as simple as cordoning off a corner of the office and adding in a couple of extra desks. Quiet zones should be an area that people will go when they need to sit down and concentrate, probably using a laptop for an extended period of time. People using this section don’t want to be distracted, but they also need to be seated in an area which is comfortable, supportive, and pleasant. Introducing office booths can be the ideal answer to this issue and create quiet, compact surroundings within the larger office environment.

Office booths provide employees the option to focus on their tasks in comfort and privacy, especially important in modern shared co-working spaces and businesses that require a blend of focussed detailed work and creative collaboration. Distractions, background noise unsolicited interruptions can be reduced dramatically with the introduction of office booths, and their use goes beyond solitary focussed work. Ideal for team meetings, collaboration and creative thinking, office booths can provide the ideal flexible working area that give office designs a valuable, much-needed area to boost employee wellbeing and workplace productivity.