How to ensure acoustic, visual and architectural privacy in the office

In companies where employees mostly perform their duties in open-plan offices, confidentiality and discretion are becoming particularly sought-after values. It is worth noting that privacy at work is multifaceted – it is divided into acoustic, visual and architectural types. Understanding what they are is key to creating spaces conducive to effective functioning and comfort. This is why more and more organisations are looking for solutions to balance the need for collaboration with privacy. Read the article and find out how to ensure acoustic, visual and architectural confidentiality in open-plan offices.

What is acoustic privacy?

The are two dimensions to acoustic privacy in an office space. It refers to the creation of a working environment that minimises sound interference and limits sound transmission between different office zones. Noise in the background of an open space, which makes it difficult to focus and be effective at work, is generated not only by people but also by various types of equipment. The second aspect relates to speech privacy, sometimes also referred to as acoustic confidentiality. During team meetings or video conferences in particular, it allows participants to share information without fear of being overheard.

How to ensure acoustic privacy for employees in the office

The essence of acoustic privacy is to both reduce noise levels and provide optimum sound insulation. This translates into better working conditions and team performance. In practice, this can be achieved through the use of specialised insulation materials, the arrangement of the office space and the introduction of innovative solutions such as Hushoffice acoustic cubicles. The office cubicles for individual and collaborative work, thanks to the use of highly sound-insulating materials, are able to effectively reduce ambient noise and clamouring and provide privacy for phone calls or business meetings.

What is visual privacy?

Visual privacy refers to the creation of working conditions that limit unwanted observation or visibility of employee activities. Taking it into account when arranging the office makes employees feel safe while performing tasks.

In an open space without partitions or individual offices, visual privacy becomes an important factor for productivity. The feeling of being constantly supervised can increase stress and lead to mental exhaustion. Visual confidentiality also has a second aspect, which concerns the elimination of visual distractions. The idea is to remove or minimise stimuli that can cause distraction and take one’s attention away from work.

What solutions are worth implementing to improve visual privacy?

In order to achieve the right level of visual privacy, office interior designers use various solutions such as mobile partitions, plants or modular furniture. Filters that ensure the privacy of monitors from all angles are also an inexpensive and effective solution. They prevent employees on the right and left from reading private emails or other confidential information.

One clever way of planning office spaces, is setting up mobile acoustic booths. Office cubicles such as the hushHybrid from Hushoffice are distinguished by their comfortable seating, which is conducive to maintaining an upright body position, or by their depth-adjustable tabletop. Acoustic cubicles can be ordered with additional glass decals, with a frosting effect. They enable tasks that require concentration or confidential conversations to be carried out, while limiting direct viewing of these activities by other employees. In addition, an adjustable lighting and ventilation system allows you to work in a comfortable environment and achieve better results.

What distinguishes architectural privacy?

Architectural privacy in the office refers to how the office space is organised to meet confidentiality requirements while maintaining flexibility and collaboration. In practice, it involves the skilful design, arrangement and division of space, taking into account both individual work zones and communal areas, where free interaction and exchange of ideas are possible.

It is also worth noting that physical privacy is perceived differently by different people. Some people are perfectly comfortable in an open office, while others are stressed by such a setting and prefer an enclosed workspace. In situations where architectural privacy is insufficient, employees with greater sensitivities may still feel uncomfortable. As a result, they lose energy by focusing on their surroundings throughout the day.

Acoustic cabins provide three types of privacy

Office acoustic booths allow you to create a space that is suited to different working styles. They give the user a personal space and at the same time provide maximum functionality, with a compact size. They provide excellent soundproofing and physical separation, and block out acoustic and visual disruptions. With hushMeet multi-person acoustic booths, it is possible to create zones for quiet work and areas for collaborative work, as well as areas for relaxation or informal meetings. Such solutions are key elements of architectural, visual and acoustic privacy.