The workplace has evolved considerably in the last decades. There has been a steady shift towards open space offices, mobile devices and hot-desking. This type of office landscape created a need for new materials to reduce noise distraction and new structures to create quiet spaces or private areas.
Acoustic pods are an ideal solution to create these private shelters and facilitate and encourage collaboration and interaction between employees. Depending on how private the space needs to be, acoustic pods range from high back enclosed sofas, to sealed units with complete sound privacy. These units are ideal to conduct interviews or shelter noisy appliances such as printers, smartly isolated from nearby office workers.
Call centers are a prime example where open plan offices lack quiet areas and sound reducing technology or noise absorbing materials is high on the agenda. This need has also created a renewed demand for soft furnishing and sound proofing wall and ceiling panels.
Typically the office pods are ideal to conduct small meetings or collaboration between 2 to 4 members of staff. With a less formal set-up than a large meeting room, there is more opportunities for short informal meetings during the day. This office configuration has been shown to increase exchange, productivity and creativity. Large companies such as Google, Microsoft and Bouygues Telecom have embraced the concept and have lead the way by dotting their workplace with meeting pods.
Employees’ well-being and a sense of belonging to a great company with nice people also gets a boost thanks to the increased dialogue. The boost in communication breaks traditional barriers in the hierarchy, which has been shown to help with employees’ wellbeing and ultimately staff retention. And when success requires a company to relocate their office, they just take the acoustic pods with them, unlike yesterday’s permanent fixtures such as office partitions that were lost at the end of the lease.
This portable quality makes investing in office pods very sensible. Some acoustic pods are designed and built for outdoor use, which allows maximizing the office space beyond the interiors. In high-density urban areas like London, where space is at a premium, these meeting pods are great value for money and may soon pop up on London’s rooftops.
The sealed office pods have advanced ventilation systems to renew the air within the unit. Some pods resemble futuristic phone booth and allow a private conversation on a mobile phone without disturbing or distracting colleagues working nearby. Most pods are highly customizable with a choice of upholstery, colours, seating and table arrangements to suit everyone according to the intended use.
Some of the office pods pride themselves in using recycled material to reduce the ecological footprint. As the pods stand out, some companies will take the opportunity to brand them in corporate colour and logos to reinforce their corporate identity.
As ever connectivity is a must with rechargeable plugs, ipad holders or screens to view presentations or have a private video call. Office pods with glass door share natural light of their environment. These quiet islands will continue evolving with technology and an ever-changing office landscape.