The way we work is constantly evolving. That means our environment, atmosphere, and offices are changing just as much. As the scope of work changes in our day-to-day, shouldn’t the tools and furniture we use change as well? From collaborative work to recreational areas to private, focused areas, it’s important to provide employees with what they need to successfully do their jobs. The acoustic office phone booth might just be the answer. If your company has changed over the years, shouldn’t the way employees work change as well?
Office mental health, well-being, and the ability to perform efficiently have come to the forefront of office design. The modern office has evolved into an experience. It isn’t just about aesthetics or functionality, exclusively. It is the perfect marriage of both. However, in an office that blends both, how do you maintain modern aesthetics and certain aspects of work?
Focused private work is a struggle. For decades, the solution has been the bland office cubicles. However, they weren’t aesthetically pleasing. At the same time, they closed employees off from others without really closing them off from others’ noise. As these problems are addressed in modern office design, the perfect solution has found its place in the office. The acoustic office phone booth.
Why are Phone Booths Important?
Depending on the industry you’re in, certain elements of office design are more important than others. Companies whose operations rely heavily on collaboration find more value in conference rooms or a work resort-style design. But for the companies that demand tasks centered around individual work, the answer is a far cry from comfortable lounge seating. The acoustic office phone booth checks all of the boxes. Let’s look at just a few of the ways that the phone booth changes the office experience.
Productivity
Embracing our surroundings and stimulation is part of our human nature. From noises to poor lighting to visual distractions, we notice everything around us. The distractions we think we can block out and even the ones we think don’t bother us, impact our day-to-day more than we might think. Stepping into an office phone booth immediately removes all distractions. A distraction-free workplace is one where employees can focus and pour 100% of their minds into their work.
There are many solutions to providing private space for focused work. In an article from Coworking Insights, different solutions are highlighted. However, the effectiveness of a booth still allows the flow and interaction found in an open floor plan without the negative effects.
Mental Health
Employee mental health and well-being is something that has almost become a non-negotiable in modern office design. Recreational spaces, wellness areas, gyms, and breakrooms are popping up more and more in the modern office. However, there’s no reason that mental health should be addressed when providing employees a respite from their jobs. By blocking and removing unnecessary stressors, acoustic office phone booths can help give employees a clear mind to work effectively and efficiently.
Workplace Options talks about the consequences of open floor plans. Overstimulation has a greater impact on our mental health than you would think. In an open office, noise and distraction-reducing solutions are key to improving well-being and removing a lot of stressors from the workplace.
Flexible Spaces
Another important element in modern office design is flexible spaces. Providing employees with multifunctional office space lets them shift from one task to the next. From private calls to group brainstorming sessions, if employees need the space it’s important to provide them with it. The office phone booth gives them an area to seamlessly transition to different tasks. The acoustic office elements let them step onto an island of peace and privacy in a sea of stimulation. For companies that operate in many different capacities, the office phone booth can help you build those focused spaces while maintaining the functionality and simplicity of modern office furniture.
McKinsey & Company showcased detailed studies about flexible work. With many Americans embracing and preferring flexible work, office design is having to adjust. 58% of employees say they’re able to work remotely in some capacity. Whether parttime or fulltime. Because of this, companies are having to recreate remote environments. This is achieved by providing a work-life balance and the same privacy employees would find at home. The modern booth is the answer.
The Collaborative Acoustic Office Phone Booth
A focused work area or private space doesn’t always accommodate a single person – nor should it. Office phone booths accommodate several employees. As well as their specific needs. This means that the phone booth should be able to house multiple employees at the same time for collaborative work.
Not every employee is a distraction. In fact, depending on the scope of work, employees might have a need to work with others. This is where collaborative phonebooths shine. Small groups can benefit from the office phone booth the same way that single employees can as well. Closing off small groups from the rest of the office gives them the opportunity to work in a focused area without disruption. But what about a conference room or a designated meeting area?
These traditional meeting spaces are usually created in open spaces or spaces visible to other employees. They usually don’t eliminate sound or reduce visual stimulation. The collaborative phone booth gives employees the chance to work together with their undivided attention. This isn’t something that’s easily achievable with the introduction of different work styles and models.
Integrating Technology into the Phone Booth
With the continued adoption of the Internet of Things, automated features, and AI, tech is being integrated into all aspects of the office. From specialized software to automate mundane tasks, to automated utilities that help reduce a company’s environmental impact, technology is constantly evolving and finding its way into new aspects of office design.
Technology integration in phone booths is addressing everything from personalized climate control to employee monitoring. The phone booth is becoming more than just a place to make a quick private phone call. Phone booths measure occupancy, productivity, and functionality. Employees being confined to one phone booth for their work, means that they’re working in a controlled singular environment.
Along with providing employees with a desirable atmosphere and companies using it as a monitoring tool, the rise of the hybrid and remote work model has led to the introduction of tech hardware. The modern office phone booths are equipped with cameras, screens, and sound solutions to make private, focused meetings with people offsite a possibility. The long-used technology of video and conference calls has been revived and incorporated into modern phone booth designs. This move allows employees to work with others despite the barriers that offsite work might create.
The Future of the Phone Booth
As work styles and office design trends change, the furniture we include in our office will change as well. Right now, with the rise of the flexible office and activity-based working, there is more of a need for focused, private spaces than ever. However, where does the future of the office phone booth lie?
The concept and purpose of the phone booth will not change. Incorporating technology, automation, and accommodations will make the phone booth more than a place to work. The future of the phone booth is becoming a tool for employers to monitor performance, mood, and productivity in a very small, focused setting.
It’s difficult to predict long-term office design trends. Will companies start to transition back to the in-person model? Will they embrace the hybrid model? Regardless, employees will always need a place to work. They will always need privacy. One thing is certain. As companies want to learn more about their employees, the workplace, and what works, the phone booth is going to become an experience for employees and a tool for employers.
Is it Time to Use an Acoustic Office Phone Booth?
The answer to this depends heavily on your employee’s needs. Companies that don’t benefit from completely private spaces might not find as much of a need. While the idea of cordoning yourself off from everyone at any given moment might sound great, the functionality and purpose might be lost. The office phone booth is for the company that needs private areas. Whether employees have to take quick private calls or they need to collaborate in a private space, there is a need for a phone booth for this type of work.
The phone booth is also the perfect addition to an open office. Some companies might need these private spaces but don’t want to or have the budget for a complete office redesign. Their relatively small size and ability to be placed anywhere in the office make it one of the best options to retrofit your space without building focused areas. You can tuck away in the corner or place phone booths in the middle of the office. The perfect way to showcase a modern aesthetic. The functionality and aesthetic can transform your office into a haven of work. Giving your employees what they need while looking good doing it might be the best way to give them the tools to succeed.
Contact StrongProject to find out how we can help you design custom, privacy solutions in your office!
Do you want to learn more about modern office design? Check out these related posts:
Redefining Workspaces: The Comprehensive Guide to Hybrid Workplace Design
Flexible Office Design: Creating Spaces That Work for Everyone
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