The open-plan office remains a staple of corporate real estate due to its efficiency, but it faces a perennial challenge: noise. For high-performance teams, acoustic distractions are a primary productivity killer. DIG approaches corporate design not just visually, but aurally.
Understanding NRC Ratings
Effective acoustic management relies on the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), a rating from 0 to 1 that measures how much sound a material absorbs.
- Hard Surfaces (Glass, Concrete): Low NRC. They reflect sound, creating echoes and a “cacophony” effect.
- Soft Surfaces (Acoustic Panels, Carpet, Baffles): High NRC. They absorb sound, dampening noise travel.
Strategic Zoning
In recent corporate projects, such as Executive Offices and cafeterias, we implement acoustic zoning:
- Sound Masking: Utilizing white noise systems to raise the ambient background level, making distant conversations unintelligible and therefore less distracting.
- Absorptive Materials: Integrating acoustic baffles into open ceilings or using felt-clad lighting fixtures. This creates a visual feature while serving a technical function.
- Private Enclaves: Designing “phone booth” style breakout rooms with high STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings for confidential calls.
A visually stunning office that is acoustically unbearable is a failed design. Our implementation team ensures that acoustic materials are specified correctly and installed to perform, balancing collaboration with the need for focus.
