Office call boxes: pods for quiet calls and meetings

What is an office call box, and why do you need one?

An office call box is much more than a piece of furniture. This fit-out solution, also known as an acoustic pod or phone box, creates a soundproof space within open environments.

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The problems acoustic pods solve

Office call boxes solve several major challenges in today's workplace:

• Constant interruptions: In an open space, every conversation becomes a distraction.
• Lack of privacy: HR interviews, sales negotiations and strategic discussions all need a protected setting.
• Cognitive fatigue: Constant noise reduces attention, increases stress and can lead to burnout.

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The evolution of workspaces and the rise of acoustic solutions

We've moved from partitioned offices to vast open floors meant to encourage collaboration. This shift has created new acoustic challenges, amplified by the rise of hybrid work and the growing number of video calls.

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Types of office acoustic pods: which solution should you choose?

The market today offers a range of solutions suited to different needs. Capacity is the first thing that sets them apart, from individual models to collective pods for four people.

Individual pods (phone box/call box)

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Individual pods like the Island Solo are perfect for phone calls and personal video calls. These compact units fit easily into existing spaces.

Standard equipment includes LED lighting with presence detection, automatic ventilation (400 m³/h), a 220V outlet, a USB-A port and a USB-C port. For extra comfort, add a stool (+€240 excl. VAT). The Island Solo call box is available in 2 finishes: Dark Edition or Light Edition.

The seated version of our individual acoustic pod is the Island Desk. It's designed for longer work sessions, with a built-in bench seat.

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2-person pods

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For face-to-face interviews or confidential meetings, Duo pods like the Island Duo offer generous space for 2 people. They maintain excellent acoustic performance (28.7 dB) while keeping interaction comfortable.

Standard equipment includes two bench seats with comfort foams, a powerful ventilation system (800 m³/h), two power outlets, and USB-A and USB-C connections. The Video-call Pack option (+€1,390 excl. VAT) turns this space into a genuine miniature video-conferencing room.

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Collective pods (4 people and up)

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For team meetings and brainstorming sessions, collective pods like the Island Quattro are a flexible alternative to traditional meeting rooms. This pod comfortably seats four people.

Despite its size, it maintains excellent acoustic performance (29.8 dB). Equipment includes comfortable seating, powerful ventilation, enhanced connectivity and optimised lighting. The Video-call Pack option (+€1,390 excl. VAT) makes it easy to bring remote colleagues into the conversation.

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Acoustic performance: understanding the technical specifications

The main value of an acoustic pod lies in its ability to create a controlled sound environment. The ISO 23351-1 standard is the market reference for measuring acoustic pod performance, rating products into performance categories (A+ to E).

Work With Island pods sit between Class A and B (Class A for individual pods, Class B for 2- and 4-person pods). They strike an excellent balance between sound insulation and cost, with noise reduction between 28.7 and 31.1 dB.

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Sound insulation: the essential criteria

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Acoustic effectiveness depends on several technical factors:

• The acoustic absorption coefficient measures how well materials absorb sound energy rather than reflecting it.
• Wall thickness plays a decisive role in insulation performance.
• Multi-layer construction combines dense materials (to block sound) with absorbent ones (to trap sound waves).

It's important to distinguish acoustic insulation (blocking outside sound) from acoustic absorption (reducing reverberation inside). A high-performing pod needs to excel at both.

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Ventilation and thermal comfort

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The ventilation system is essential for comfort. A hermetically sealed space would quickly become uncomfortable without effective air renewal.

Work With Island pods include automatic ventilation systems sized to their capacity: 400 m³/h for individual models and 800 m³/h for collective versions. These low-energy systems are part of a broader sustainability approach.

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Lighting and ergonomics

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LED lighting with presence detection provides optimal brightness with no glare or eye strain. Seat ergonomics are given particular care in models designed for longer use.

The Island Desk, Duo and Quattro pods feature bench seats with two complementary foams: firm for support and soft for comfort. On the Island Solo, ergonomics come through in a generously sized interior that's comfortable to stand in.

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Equipment and technology built into office call boxes

Advanced technology turns these spaces into genuine connected workstations. Manufacturers offer different levels of equipment, from essential setups to premium solutions.

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Connectivity and power supply

Work With Island acoustic pods offer connectivity matched to their capacity:

• Individual models (Solo and Desk): one 220V outlet, one USB-A port and one USB-C port.
• Collective models (Duo and Quattro): two 220V outlets, two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports.

These outlets are strategically positioned at table or seat height, guaranteeing easy access without compromising overall ergonomics.

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Audio and video solutions

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For pods used for video calls, screen options (+€490 excl. VAT) turn these spaces into genuine standalone communication stations.

Video-call packs for collective models include a screen, camera and audio system optimised specifically for the acoustics of the pod. Compatibility with the major platforms (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet) means seamless integration into your existing technology setup.

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Booking systems and occupancy management

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In organisations that roll out acoustic pods widely, managing occupancy becomes an important consideration. Digital booking systems help get the most out of these shared resources.

Integration with company calendars makes planning easier and gives real-time visibility on availability. Occupancy sensors collect precise usage data, helping optimise how pods are deployed.

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Installing and integrating acoustic pods into the workplace

A major advantage of Work With Island pods is how easy they are to install. Unlike traditional construction, these modular solutions go up quickly, with minimal disruption.

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Requirements and space preparation

A few checks are needed before installation:

1. Strategic placement: pods should be accessible but far enough from high-traffic zones
2. Power supply: a 220V outlet needs to be available nearby
3. Floor capacity: it needs to bear the weight of the pod (around 250 kg for the Island Solo, up to 520 kg for the Island Quattro)
4. Ceiling height: enough to fit the pod (around 200/220 cm) with adequate clearance for ventilation
   
   

Download our product guide to get the dimensions, weight and available options for our pods.

‍Installation and assembly process

For Work With Island pods, assembly takes under an hour, a considerable advantage over custom-built solutions. This service is included in the overall offer (€400 for individual pods, up to €1,200 for the Island Quattro).

The process has four main steps:

1. Assembling the base structure
2. Installing the acoustic panels
3. Setting up the technical equipment (ventilation, lighting, connectivity)
4. Installing the comfort elements (seats, tablets)

Full functional tests close out the installation, checking every system before the pod goes into service.

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Visual and aesthetic integration

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Beyond the technical side, how a pod looks within the existing space matters. Work With Island offers different aesthetic customisation options to match the pods with your company's visual identity.

The visual impact can be adjusted to suit your fit-out goals: a distinctive statement piece, or a discreet fit with neutral tones. This aesthetic flexibility is a major asset of today's solutions.

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Customisation and options for office call boxes

Standardised acoustic pods don't rule out customisation. Work With Island offers a range of options to tailor these solutions to each organisation's specific needs.

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Aesthetic customisation

Aesthetic customisation options let you match pods to your company's visual identity:

• Dark Edition: a dark, elegant finish
• Light Edition: a light finish for a bright feel

Both editions fit naturally into any work environment.

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Functional adaptations

Beyond aesthetics, functional customisation improves the user experience:

• Seating options: stool for the Island Solo (+€240 excl. VAT)
• Built-in screen: +€490 excl. VAT (Desk/Duo/Quattro)
• Video-call Pack: +€1,390 excl. VAT (Duo/Quattro)

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Maintenance and durability of acoustic pods

Investing in quality acoustic pods deserves to be protected by proper maintenance. Work With Island designs its products with a long lifecycle in mind.

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Daily cleaning and upkeep

Work With Island pods need no special upkeep. An occasional vacuum over the fabric surfaces is enough. That's it. Work With Island offers a 5-year warranty on all its acoustic pods. If needed, our local customer service responds quickly.

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Durability and environmental impact

Sustainability is playing a growing role in equipment decisions:

• French manufacturing, cutting transport distances
• Eco-responsible materials, limiting environmental impact
• Low energy consumption thanks to optimised LEDs and fans

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Warranty and technical support

Work With Island offers peace of mind with:

• A 5-year warranty against any functional defect
• A 100-day trial on any first order, with a full refund
• Responsive technical support and available spare parts

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Buying guide: how to choose the best office call box

Buying acoustic pods is a strategic investment that deserves careful thought.

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Assessing needs and sizing

The first step is to precisely assess your organisation's needs:

• Number of pods: one individual pod per 15-20 people in an open-plan office, one collective pod per 30-40 people
• Pod types: individual models for short calls (Solo) or longer sessions (Desk), collective models for meetings (Duo and Quattro)
• Planning for future needs: how scalable and flexible the solution is

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Budget and financial considerations

The financial side is naturally a major decision factor:

Beyond the purchase cost, ROI should be assessed in terms of productivity gains, wellbeing and employer brand.

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Selection and purchase process

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The buying journey benefits from following a few structured steps:

1. Research phase: mapping out what's available
2. Demonstrations and testing: take advantage of Work With Island's 100-day trial, or visit one of our many showrooms
3. Contract negotiation: pay attention to warranty terms, delivery times and associated services
4. Installation and training: planning the rollout and briefing users