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What Is an Individual Office and How to Choose the Right One?
Workplace noise significantly gets in the way of employee focus. It's a real problem in our modern workplaces. Open plan offices, while economical and good for collaboration, create stress and lost productivity for many employees. In response, the individual office is making a comeback as a preferred way to build calmer working environments.
This complete guide explains everything about individual offices and their modern alternatives. You'll discover the different types available, their real advantages, and the essential criteria for making the right choice.
Assigned to one employee, with visual and acoustic privacy: an individual office supports focus, confidentiality and a sense of ownership.
Three main types of solutions
A traditional partitioned office, modular reconfigurable furniture, or an acoustic pod installed in under an hour: each use has a solution that fits.
Measurable selection criteria
Dimensions, ergonomics, acoustics, connectivity, materials: specific criteria that shape comfort and productivity over time.
An investment that pays off
Lower absenteeism, higher productivity, stronger appeal to talent: the benefits of a well-thought-out individual office show up over the medium term.
Definition and features of the individual office
A professional individual office is a closed workspace designed for one person, in an environment free of noise and distractions. This setup puts focus and privacy first, two things that matter for many kinds of professional work.
A traditional individual office is usually made up of fixed furniture in an enclosed room: a suitable work surface, built-in storage, and dedicated lighting. Standard sizes range from 6 to 15 m² based on ergonomic standards, allowing easy movement and good comfort.
The essential elements of an individual office:
Work surface
The recommended work surface is 120 to 180 cm wide.
Desk pedestal
Use a desk pedestal for personal storage.
LED lighting
Lighting and brightness should suit desk-based tasks.
Connectivity and network
Make sure you have built-in power and network connectivity
Across our installations, we're seeing a clear shift towards modular solutions. These compact individual offices offer remarkable flexibility, with fast installation, often in around 30 minutes. This fits the needs of modern companies that value adaptability and being able to move their workspaces.
Expectations have shifted with the technology too. Employees now look for spaces equipped with USB sockets, high-speed network connections, and smart lighting that adjusts automatically to ambient conditions.
The first benefit of an individual office is a significant improvement in focus. Employees in individual spaces show markedly higher productivity than their open plan colleagues. This comes down to a sharp drop in interruptions and the ability to stay focused for longer.
Complex intellectual work needs a calm environment to be done well. An individual office creates that essential bubble of quiet for thinking, analysis and creative work. With no visual or sound distractions, it's easier to reach a state of flow, the peak-focus state where productivity is at its highest.
Privacy and professionalism
Privacy matters a great deal in many roles. HR managers, executives and consultants regularly handle sensitive information on calls or in meetings. An individual manager's office guarantees the discretion the business needs to run smoothly. This complete acoustic isolation transforms the quality of professional conversations and strengthens the company's image of seriousness with clients and partners.
Personalising the workspace
A personalised workspace significantly improves employee wellbeing. An individual office lets you adapt the ergonomics to each person's specific needs: desk height, choice of lighting, personal organisation of work tools.
This personalisation extends to finishes and decoration. Employees can create an environment that feels like their own, supporting engagement and job satisfaction. This sense of ownership directly helps retain talent and lifts the overall mood.
“Genuine extra rooms, the Work With Island phone boxes are soundproof bubbles that bring comfort and privacy right into the heart of our shared areas. They blend into our decor while adding a design-led touch. Everyone uses them for a call, a video meeting or a moment of focus.”
Julie Texier
Chief Operating Officer at Imagin'office
Types and configurations of individual offices
Traditional fixed offices
Straight desks are the most classic, most affordable setup. A standard straight desk measures 160x80 cm and is usually paired with a desk pedestal and a wall credenza to make the most of storage. This suits admin and day-to-day management work well.
A corner desk offers a bigger work surface, ideal for tasks that need multiple screens or a lot of paperwork. With its return, this layout organises the space between computer area and paperwork area efficiently. Common dimensions reach 160x120 cm in an L-shape.
For bigger storage needs, adding a pedestal to the return completes the setup nicely. This modular approach lets you adjust storage space as needs evolve, while keeping a consistent look across the furniture.
Work With Island modular acoustic solutions
Acoustic pods are changing the way we think about the individual office. These modular solutions, like the Island Solo, offer a certified sound reduction of 31.1 dB to the Class A ISO 23351-1 standard. This acoustic performance guarantees great insulation even in the middle of a busy open plan office.
Fast installation is the big advantage of these solutions. Unlike traditional partitions, which need heavy building work, these compact individual offices go up in around 30 minutes, with just two people and a single tool provided.
Being able to move these solutions suits modern companies well. If you relocate or reorganise, the pods come apart and go back together easily, protecting your initial investment.
Height-adjustable, ergonomic desks
Height-adjustable desks are becoming the reference for modern ergonomics. These solutions allow alternation between sitting and standing, supporting user health and wellbeing. Electric mechanisms with position memory make daily transitions easier.
This technology suits remote working particularly well, where people spend long hours in the same position. Being able to vary posture throughout the day reduces musculoskeletal disorders and keeps energy levels steadier.
Over the long term, pods also turn out to be the better investment: they can be dismantled and reassembled, so they can move with you.
Dimensions and the floor area needed are the first thing to consider. A traditional individual office needs at least 6–8 m² to allow easy movement and comfortable use. That ideal size includes room to move, the furniture, and any technical equipment needed.
Modular solutions have very different requirements. A pod like the Island Solo needs just 1 m² of floor space while offering 90x90 cm of usable interior space. That space efficiency matters a lot, particularly in city centres.
Acoustics and sound insulation
Acoustics and sound insulation are decisive factors for the quality of a workspace. Modern insulating materials achieve significant sound reduction to ISO 23351-1 standards.
This certified acoustic performance guarantees complete privacy for phone calls and sensitive meetings. Independent lab tests validate this performance, giving you an objective guarantee of quality.
Connectivity and technical equipment
Modern technical equipment routinely includes:
• At least 1 220V power socket
• LED lighting with a presence detector
• Ventilation suited to the size
• This built-in technical equipment removes cabling headaches and makes fitting out a workspace much simpler.
Checklist of essential criteria:
• Available floor space and structural constraints
• Level of acoustic insulation required
• Connectivity and equipment needs
• Overall budget including installation and maintenance
• Room to grow and reorganise in future
Good to know:
The ISO 23351-1:2020 standard classifies acoustic pods from A to D based on their insulation performance.
A Class A pod cuts noise by more than 30 dB: it's the standard for environments where focus and privacy matter most. All Work With Island models range from 28.7 to 31.1 dB depending on capacity. The Island Solo and Island Desk pods are Class A certified. The Duo and Quattro models are Class B certified.
The essentials in 8 points:
Define an individual office A workstation assigned to one employee, visually and acoustically isolated, with around 4 m² of functional space (desk + chair + circulation).
Choose the right type A traditional enclosed office (partitions), a reconfigurable modular solution, or an acoustic pod installed with no building work: each format meets a specific need.
Get the dimensions right A 160×80 cm desk for comfortable professional use, height adjustable between 72 and 76 cm, screen at eye level 50–70 cm away.
Guarantee the acoustics A sound reduction of 28.7 to 31.1 dB (Class A ISO 23351-1 pods) preserves focus regardless of what's happening around you.
Plan the connectivity A 220V socket plus USB-A and USB-C at minimum, 3500K LED lighting, ventilation: a well-equipped workstation removes day-to-day friction.
Compare individual offices and open plan offices An individual office needs more m² per person, but it cuts noise and improves focus on complex tasks.
Set your budget From €800 for a traditional workstation to several thousand euros for an acoustic pod. Leasing lets you spread the investment.
Choose modular, adaptable options Island Solo (1 m² footprint) or Island Desk (seated, longer sessions) install in around 30 minutes with no building work and can move as your office reorganises.
Work With Island: your modular individual office solution
While traditional individual offices need heavy building work and a significant investment, Work With Island offers an innovative alternative: modular acoustic pods. These individual workspaces offer all the benefits of a closed office with none of the layout constraints.
Our range of acoustic pods
Individual, standing, from €3,990 or €68/month
For your calls and focused moments, in complete privacy.
B Corp and Origine France Garantie certifications. Our B Corp certification and the Origine France Garantie label reflect our commitment to quality and the environment. With 100% French manufacturing, our pods support the local economy while guaranteeing European quality standards.
Responsiveness
Free quote within 24 hours. A team available by phone to answer your questions and tailor the offer to your setup.
Simplicity
A 220V socket, about 30 minutes to assemble, zero building work. Your pod is ready to use the same day.
Quality
Made in France, PEFC-certified materials, Class A insulation to ISO 23351-1. 5-year warranty.
Effectiveness
Up to 31 dB of sound reduction. Your team regains focus and privacy right away.
Want to know more about our acoustic pods?
Fill in the form and get our product guide right away. A clear PDF with everything you need: price, dimensions, connectivity and more.
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FAQ on individual offices
What are the ideal dimensions for an individual office?
A traditional individual office needs at least 6–8 m² for a complete fit-out. For Work With Island modular acoustic pods, around 1 m² of floor space is enough (Island Solo). Standard height: 190 cm minimum for comfortable use.
Individual office or open plan: which should you choose?
Individual offices suit tasks needing focus and privacy, like management, accounting or HR. Open plan offices support collaboration but create sound-related stress. Work With Island acoustic pods offer an optimal middle ground: complete isolation right in the middle of the open plan office.
What materials should be preferred for a professional office?
Choose certified materials: PEFC wood for sustainability, recycled insulation, scratch-resistant finishes. Check certifications for durability and safety. Work With Island pods use Origine France Garantie certified materials.
How much does a quality individual office cost?
Solutions vary depending on your needs. Work With Island acoustic pods start at €3,990 excl. VAT (Island Solo), installation included. Rental available from €68/month with a purchase option. A turnkey solution with no extra building work.
Can I install an acoustic pod myself?
Yes, our pods assemble in around 30 minutes with 2 people and a single tool provided. Illustrated instructions included. A professional installation service is available as an option depending on the model, for guaranteed setup.
Are acoustic pods really effective against noise?
Our pods offer a certified sound reduction of 28.7 to 31.1 dB to the Class A ISO 23351-1 standard. Tests carried out in an independent lab. Optimised ventilation for maximum comfort with no sense of being closed in.
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