Noise, the hidden cost of open space
Cross-conversations, video calls, informal meetings in the middle of the set: without processing, each voice bounces back and everyone speaks louder to be heard.
On an open set, it takes on average 23 minutes to regain concentration after a sound interruption. Noise not only reduces comfort, it also reduces performance.
Three reasons to act
The cocktail party effect
The more the room reverberates, the more people raise their voices, which pushes the ambient level up even further. The loop is only broken by absorbing sound energy, never by asking for silence.
Video calls reveal the problem
A meeting room with 1 s of reverberation makes microphones unintelligible for remote participants. That is often what triggers the request.
Noise is expensive
Absenteeism, turnover, isolation, loss of concentration... Untreated noise has a cost, often invisible in budgets, but very real for companies.
Before, after, measured
Break spaces of 40 people, 8 × 5 × 2,8 m measured with a sound level meter. The solution: 6 suspended clouds including a sound level meter.
Before, after
Reverberation time according to the Sabine model. Results vary with volume, materials and use; validated on site by before / after measurement.
What French regulations require
- Open-plan office
- RT 0.6 to 0.8 s
- Meeting room
- RT ≈ 0.6 s
- Private office
- RT 0.4 to 0.6 s
- Work café, break area
- RT ≤ 0.9 s
- Reference (France)
- NF S31-080, French AFNOR standard
Comparable
spaces
Every project starts with a measurement and ends with another.
An office floor that needs calming?
On-site survey, sized installation, check measurement after installation. You only pay for what is proven.
Request an acoustic survey