Why acoustics are important
A quiet environment is a basic human need. Yet we are usually exposed to a cacophony from morning to night – from the alarm clock to the buzz of conversation in modern open-plan offices. At the workplace, the quality of the room acoustics is cited as one of the most important factors for well-being. Studies have shown that the acoustics of a room influence both productivity and the general quality of interaction and health. Our goal is to create spaces where people feel relaxed, safe, and productive. This is why we have developed a product portfolio that harmoniously combines lighting and room acoustics. Acoustic lighting creates ideal light conditions and a balanced acoustic environment that enhances concentration, promotes social interaction, and creates a sense of well-being. The power of silence.
Noise makes you ill
Our body releases stress hormones that make us ill over time.
Noise is a stress factor. This is due to evolution: acoustic (warning) signals trigger fight or flight reactions. The increased release of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline raises the heart rate and blood pressure, which narrows the focus and supplies the muscles with sufficient oxygen. The body compensates for this loss of energy by producing more cortisol, which increases bloodfat and blood-sugar levels. It is precisely these physical processes that serve us in the short term but make us ill in the long term. Unfortunately, the origin of the noise is irrelevant: Even if loud noises today rarely mean a threat to life, our bodies still react in the same way. By significantly reducing physical stress symptoms, quiet, balanced room acoustics have a positive long-term effect on health.
Noise is distracting
Even a whisper can interrupt concentration.
A whisper is only 30 dB – but it still affects our mental state and our cognitive performance. After even the slightest distraction at work, it takes an average of 25 minutes to return to our original task and another eight minutes to reach our original level of concentration.1) Researchers have a term for this consequential cycle of interruption and the laborious process of restoring performance level: the Sawtooth Effect. Good room acoustics increase concentration by minimising distractions caused by noise.
Noise is isolating
The louder the environment, the more it impedes personal communication.
To satisfy the need for privacy in large, open-plan offices often only retreat and isolation remain: For example, by wearing headphones. In addition, personal contacts in open spaces are often are often minimised in open spaces, as confidential face-to-face conversations are difficult. Compared to small offices face-to-face communication in open-plan offices is reduced by 70 %2) in open-plan offices, with employees switching to emails and instant messaging. Balanced room acoustics limit the spread of sound, which creates sufficient intimacy to also to hold personal conversations in multi-person offices. Acoustic planning is therefore essential for a productive and social working and social working environment in which people feel people feel connected and maintain dialogue.
Sources
1) Gonzalez, Victor M.: “No Task Left Behind? Examining the Nature of Fragmented Work”, 2005
2) Bernstein, Ethan S. & Turban, Stephen: “The Impact of the ‘Open’ Workspace on Human Collaboration”, 2018
3) Sykes, David M.: “Productivity: How Acoustics Affect Workers’ Performance In Offices & Open Areas”, 2004
4) According to the Austrian Chamber of Labour's balance sheet database, approx. €100,000 value added per employee in 2019. AK-Wien, AK OÖ: Diagram "AK Wertschöpfungsbarometer, Überschuss Pro-Kopf-Wertschöpfung über Pro-Kopf-Personalaufwand in Euro", 2020