Evidence-Based Learnings for Office Design and Acoustics

Rockfon, the leading provider of stone wool acoustic ceilings and wall solutions, recently launched a new design collection that acknowledges that when the world changes, design does too. A core part of that ethos is tapping into empirical knowledge to build products that can help maximise well-being and productivity.

The term “evidence-based” has witnessed a newfound surge in recent years that significantly extends beyond its early origins in medicine. And for good reason: peer-reviewed research continues to grant all sorts of industries and practices a wealth of learnings.

Office design is one area that can truly benefit from such an evidence-based approach. Natural materials, biophilia, and colour have all been backed by separate research endeavours.

When it comes to acoustic solutions, they play a role larger than just noise control. They contribute significantly to the visual appeal, layout, and lighting of an office. “We stopped thinking about our solutions as ‘products’ and started to see them as ‘platforms’,” said Jesper Wolff, Product Design Manager at Rockfon. “The impact of that is revolutionary. Rather than an end point, they become a starting point for the customer. And rather than fixed, they become infinitely fluid.”

Eliciting affective reactions from natural materials

Biophilia isn’t just a buzzword: the concept of the human need for connection to nature is strongly supported by Attention Restoration Theory, a framework that argues nature has an aesthetic advantage because it requires effortless attention when compared to other fatiguing stimuli. Greenery, patterns from nature, forms, natural light, and window access all contribute to the range of associated positive affective reactions shaped by the biophilic office.

Natural materials are unsurprisingly a key tenet of the biophilic office and Rockfon’s new design collection leverages their possibilities. Crafted from fragrant Alpine meadow flowers, grasses and leaves and hand-finished for a sophisticated surface, Rockfon Senses wall panels capture both nature’s raw tactility as well as unwanted noise.

Wood is yet another natural material that can inject biophilic principles into office spaces. A study published in Perceptual and Motor Skills correlated the material with more positive perceptions of task difficulty, attention level, cognition, and productivity when compared to concrete office environments. The modular wall system Rockfon Lamella explores this unique power alongside sound absorption properties, and its wood veneers are available in various sizes and tones that can be arranged into over 650,000 design combinations.

Taking control of the noise

One study published in Ergonomics showed that intelligible conversations are the main source of noise annoyance in an open-plan office. It’s no surprise, and it is certainly not the first study to reveal that insight. The combination of online calls, conversations, music, and even desk meals can lead to a bothersome cocktail of noise that disturbs others who are trying to achieve focus states – which is why leading building certifiers like WELL award points for optimised acoustics. Rockfon accordingly provides performance guarantee and documentation.

“In buildings with good acoustics, people are healthier, happier and more productive. Their focus increases. Their stress levels drop. They relax. We know this because at Rockfon we’ve spent decades perfecting acoustics for every imaginable space,” said Parik Chopra, Managing Director at Rockfon.

An option is to offer little “escapes” where employees can find space to truly focus. With its suspended islands, Rockfon Hub allows for multipurpose spaces and flexible acoustic zones where people can think, talk or work in peace – adding fluidity with curtains instead of hard walls.

Employed to loosely partition the open plan office and absorb sound, Rockfon Canva Hanging dividers and Rockfon Canva Floor screens furthermore allow employees to control their spaces for their working styles. The Rockfon Canva textile canvases can also be designed to with custom employer art and branding, which can simply be switched to refresh the look when needed.

The influence of colour

The association of colour with emotional responses is a tale as old as time. Cultural and anecdotal, there’s a wealth of information to lean on in devising interior palettes. However, there isn’t a lot of evidence at hand that is backed by scientific learnings, making colour theory a rather difficult undertaking in evidence-based design.

Rockfon makes it easy to navigate palettes with the “Colors of Wellbeing”, a collection of 34 contemporary shades selected in partnership with the international consultants and colour experts Karen Haller and Sara Garanty. “Every colour is a universe of its own, it unfolds differently, and it evokes different feelings and emotions within us,” says Garanty.

Solutions like Rockfon Canva Wall panels and Rockfon Eclipse ceiling islands, don’t just have certified noise reduction values, they’re also available in these curated colours. Whether looking to uplift with warm yellows and rich reds or further support a connection to nature with blues and greens, Rockfon customization allows for unlimited options.