Project: acoustic treatment of an open-plan office
Size of environment: 173 m³
Acoustic issues: high reverberation times: the need to separate rooms/work areas
Acoustics play a key role in the design of open-plan offices, where it is important not only to offer a high degree of flexibility in terms of composition, but also to ensure an acoustically comfortable environment, suitable for the working activities.
The lack of walls or partitions in collaborative workspaces means that sound travels more freely in the open space: high ceilings and smooth surfaces such as large windows and worktops increase sound reflection, increasing reverberation times and thus background noise.
The proposed acoustic treatment is for an open-plan office measuring 173 m³. The office contains a variety of environments, such as working areas with workstations, training rooms, relaxation areas and shared spaces.
From the phonometric analysis carried out during the planning phase, reverberation times (Tr) were calculated and, subsequently, the best values achievable, based on how the area is used, were identified. In order to ensure an even distribution of the products used and a certain compositional flexibility, the designers opted to install both ceiling and wall-mounted solutions and floor and desk-mounted partitions.
The following table and graph show the reverberation time (Tr) calculated in the room before the installation of the sound-absorbing products and the reverberation time situation calculated after the installation of the products.
| Average reverberation time without panels | Average reverberation time with panels |
| 1,74 s | 0,61 s |
The acoustic correction project included the insertion of 10 Silente sound-absorbing ceiling panels (size 120x120x5), 4 Scriba sound-absorbing desk panels (size 160x50x5), 2 D-Space acoustic floor partition panels (size 160x120x5) and 2 Silente sound-absorbing wall panels (size 180x120x5).
The targeted installation of sound-absorbing products in the room allowed for a reduction of 4.57 dB in sound level, from an average reverberation time of 1.74 s to 0.61 s (frequencies 250-2000 Hz). Caruso Acoustic products effectively meet the sound absorption requirements of public areas, allowing for a wide range of installation options.
The freestanding panels and elements can also be easily moved around the room to adapt the layout to the specific acoustic needs of the moment.