Ahealthy workspace is a hap- pier, more productive environ- ment. Without unified metrics
or expectations to determine a healthy
workspace, definitions can vary. This
means measuring success is difficult for
facility managers and designers creating the space.
Daniel Verlooven, Global Acoustic
Ambassador at BuzziSpace, would like
to see written regulations that measure
a healthy workspace. This would help
designers and facility managers develop
the same understanding about what
health and wellbeing in the workplace
mean.
“With clear and realistic expectations
of what is needed and why, it will be
easier to put into action,” he says.
A healthy office environment needs
three elements: light, sound and air.
Verlooven notes that from an evolutionary perspective it’s human nature to be
outside, and by bringing these outdoor
elements inside, people will be healthier
and happier. Improving these three elements will decrease work distractions
and increase productivity.
Role of Acoustics in
Office Productivity
Office workers are 66% less productive in an open-plan office than when
left on their own, notes Julian Treasure,
Chairman of The Sound Agency.
Acoustics, Verlooven says, play a key
role in creating a healthy sound quality and help with the overall health of
workers. Examples of acoustic distrac-
■ HVAC noises that get into our core
and sedate us
■ High-frequency sounds like
keyboards or mechanical issues that
can make us nervous
■ Other workers talking where it can’t
be tuned out
A positive acoustic experience that
absorbs surrounding sound leads to a
quieter, more respectful and energetic
workspace and can reduce stress and
absenteeism from work. “People say
they had a hard day at work, but many
times it’s from the environment around
them,” Verlooven says. “This is some-
thing we should take seriously.”
He suggests more education and
knowledge around the role acoustics
play in health. Architecture firms and
designers should attend seminars so they
can talk to building owners and facili-
ties managers about this. “We all need
to have awareness and prioritize good
acoustics, light and air,” Verlooven notes.
Testing Acoustics
While many people know what decibels and sound are, they don’t know
what products to use, how many square
feet a product covers or what can
minimize sound. Some manufacturers
offer tools that facilities managers and
designers can use to help determine the
right products for a space. By measuring
reverberation in a room, the right acoustics level can be determined.
“There are a lot of tools already avail-
able, so you can’t say you don’t know
what to do or how to handle sound
issues,” Verlooven says.
In an office setting, he recommends a
large, open space be below 70 dB, and
background noise from mechanicals and
speaking to be around 45 to 55 dB to
keep people happy and healthy. With
this information, people can get the right
products to tackle the specific acoustic
issues for the space.
Verlooven would like more awareness
of the role acoustics places in workplace
health. “I hope one day there will be real
regulation on background noise. I would
like see every noise associated with a
specific activity to have its own recommended range and regulation.”
Valerie Dennis Craven valerie.craven
buildings.com is Editor in Chief of
BUILDINGS.
The Role of Acoustics in Workplace Health
THE RIGHT EDUCATION AND MATERIALS CAN HELP IMPROVE WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY AND SATISFACTION
DANIEL VERLOOVEN, Global Acoustic Ambassador at BuzziSpace
