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In modern workplaces, particularly open-plan offices, noise pollution has become a major concern for companies focused on performance and quality of life at work.
Noise causes a loss of concentration of up to 50% and significantly raises employee stress. This complete guide covers the most effective office acoustic solutions, from acoustic furniture to soundproof pods, for building a pleasant, productive workplace.
Office acoustics is now a major challenge in workspace fit-outs. Research from the INRS (France's National Research and Safety Institute) shows the scale of the problem across French companies.
Impact on productivity and wellbeing
Office noise has measurable consequences for performance. Studies show a 50% loss of concentration in a noisy open-plan office, alongside higher stress and fatigue. More alarming still, cognitive performance drops by 15% in an unsuitable sound environment.
The evolution of the modern workplace
The rise of the open-plan office has reshaped acoustic challenges. These workspaces support collaboration but amplify noise. The surge in video calls since 2020 and the need for versatile spaces have made acoustic management even more complex.
The main sources of noise identified include:
This shift calls for a comprehensive approach to office acoustics to protect concentration at every desk.
Getting to grips with the fundamentals of office acoustics helps you choose the solutions best suited to each situation. Two complementary principles govern acoustic comfort: absorption and sound insulation.
Sound absorption: reducing reverberation
Sound absorption aims to reduce how much sound reverberates in a space. This technique improves acoustic comfort by cutting echo and ambient noise. Absorbent materials like foam, textiles, or wood capture sound waves rather than reflecting them.
Métisse® panels (made from recycled textiles) offer excellent sound absorption. These eco-friendly materials turn sound energy into heat, reducing overall noise pollution. Effectiveness is measured against the ISO 23351-1 standard, the international benchmark for acoustics.
Sound insulation: creating private spaces
Sound insulation blocks noise transmission between different spaces. This approach creates acoustically separated zones that support privacy and concentration. Reduction is expressed in measurable decibels, giving an objective assessment of performance.
Insulation needs dense materials and sealed structures. Unlike absorption, which treats the general sound atmosphere, insulation specifically protects against outside noise. The sound level of the environment can then be controlled zone by zone.
Work With Island is a French manufacturer of acoustic pods, bringing more calm and peace to your open-plan office.
Download our product guide to find out more.
Acoustic furniture offers flexible, stylish answers to noise challenges. These solutions adapt to space and budget constraints while preserving office functionality.
Acoustic pods represent the gold standard for office sound insulation. These premium solutions offer a pleasant, fully controlled sound environment, changing the traditional approach to fit-outs.
Individual pods: maximum concentration
Individual pods guarantee complete insulation of up to -31.1 dB, certified Class A ISO 23351-1. These dedicated spaces for calls and video meetings install in 1 hour with no construction work. Our Island Solo and Island Desk pods offer a zero-decibel environment for focus at your desk.
The Island Solo, from €3,990 excl. VAT (€68/month leasing), takes up just 1 m² of floor space. Its ventilation of up to 400 m³/h renews the air every 15 seconds. LED lighting with presence detection and built-in connectivity (220V, USB-A and USB-C ports) make for a fully equipped office phone box.
The Island Desk, at €4,790 excl. VAT (€79/month leasing), includes a comfortable seat for longer work sessions. These pods turn any workspace into a zone of deep concentration.
Collaborative pods: soundproof meetings
Collaborative spaces benefit from 2 to 4-person pods. These acoustic meeting rooms include lighting, ventilation, and connectivity. The installation of Island Quattro pods at Decathlon is a good example of their effectiveness for team meetings.
The Island Duo (€7,990 excl. VAT, €135/month) seats 2 people on 2 m². Its -28.7 dB reduction and 800 m³/h ventilation guarantee comfort and performance. The Island Quattro (€9,990 excl. VAT, €171/month) is a genuine meeting room on 2.5 m².
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“We chose Work With Island booths because they offer great value for money. The team was flexible, agile and quick to respond throughout delivery and installation.”
French regulations strictly govern sound levels in the workplace. Articles R4213-5 to R4213-6 of the French Labour Code set out employer obligations for protecting workers from noise.
French and European regulatory framework
The decree on worker protection recommends a maximum sound level of 55 dB for offices. This limit ensures an environment suited to concentration and wellbeing. European acoustic standards harmonise these requirements across the continent.
Employer obligations include regularly assessing noise risks and putting corrective measures in place. Failing to meet these acoustic standards exposes the company to penalties and psychosocial risks for employees.
Measuring and assessing performance
Noise measurement methods use sound level meters calibrated to international standards. Acoustic performance indicators allow objective tracking of improvements. A professional acoustic audit identifies noise sources and recommends suitable solutions.
Our assessment methodology, developed over 7 years of experience and more than 10,000 installations, delivers reliable results. This expertise lets us effectively support companies in meeting regulatory requirements.
Recommended thresholds vary by activity:
Choosing acoustic solutions takes a methodical approach. Assessing needs upfront determines the best strategy for creating a pleasant sound environment.
Preliminary acoustic diagnosis
An acoustic audit precisely identifies noise sources and their impact. This fundamental step defines measurable performance targets. Identifying critical zones guides the choice of the most effective solutions.
Our methodology, developed over 7 years of experience, analyses each workspace according to its specific features. This tailored approach ensures a perfect match between needs and the solutions proposed.
Essential selection criteria
Acoustic performance, measured in dB of reduction, is the main technical criterion. Aesthetics and how well the solution blends in preserve the office atmosphere. Budget and ROI determine the project's economic feasibility.
The selection process used at LVMH for their workspaces illustrates this rigorous approach. Ease of installation minimises operational disruption, an essential criterion for companies still in operation.
Professional installation and maintenance
The installation schedule adapts to the company's operational constraints. Training teams makes it easier to adopt the new spaces. Preventive maintenance protects performance over the long term.
Our 2-year warranty and after-sales service across Europe protect your investment. This comprehensive coverage reflects our confidence in the quality of our acoustic solutions.
Checklist for an acoustic project:
Work With Island offers a full range of certified acoustic pods, designed to address the office acoustic challenges of modern businesses. Our Island Solo, Island Desk, Island Duo, and Island Quattro solutions offer exceptional performance, with sound reduction of up to -31.1 dB to ISO 23351-1.
Proven expertise and French quality
Since 2018, we have installed more than 15,000 acoustic pods for more than 4,000 customers, including Engie, Decathlon, LVMH, and SNCF. This experience gives us unique expertise in optimising workspaces.
Our pods are made in France with durable materials: PEFC wood, recycled glass, and Métisse® made from recycled textiles. Our Origine France Garantie and B Corp certifications reflect our commitment to quality and responsibility.
Full service and exceptional guarantees
Installation in under an hour, with no construction work, transforms the traditional approach to fit-outs. Fast delivery anywhere in Europe meets operational urgency. Our 100-day trial and 5-year warranty fully protect your investment.
With a return rate of just 0.08% (12 pods out of 15,000), our solutions demonstrate exceptional customer satisfaction. This performance reflects the quality of our products and the effectiveness of our support.
Want to know more? Fill in this form and get all the key information about our pods: weight, dimensions, prices and more.
Several solutions exist: wall acoustic panels, desk screens, mobile partitions, or soundproof pods. The choice depends on your space and your sound-reduction goals. A prior acoustic analysis helps identify the best solution. We recommend starting with a professional audit to define the most effective strategy.
French regulations recommend a maximum sound level of 55 dB for offices. Focus spaces should aim for 45-50 dB, while collaborative zones can tolerate up to 60 dB. These thresholds are set out in the French Labour Code and ISO standards. Meeting these standards significantly improves employee wellbeing and productivity.
Costs vary by solution: wall panels (€50-200/m²), desk screens (€200-500/unit), or acoustic pods (€3,990-9,990 excl. VAT). Our leasing options let you spread the cost from €68/month.
Consider capacity (1 to 4 people), use (calls, meetings, focused work), acoustic performance (dB reduction), and how it blends in visually. Our pods offer up to -31.1 dB of reduction, with automatic ventilation and built-in connectivity. Installation with no construction work and mobility are key advantages for spatial flexibility.
The open-plan office needs a mixed approach: sound absorption on the ceiling and walls, desk separators, and retreat zones (pods). The goal is to create acoustic bubbles with no need to fully partition the space. Our customers see an average 70% reduction in noise with this comprehensive approach.
Effectiveness is measured in decibels of reduction (dB), reverberation time (RT60), and speech intelligibility index. A professional sound level meter allows precise before/after measurements. We offer post-installation follow-up to confirm performance and adjust as needed based on user feedback.