AI INTA402 W6 Rotz J FinalPresentation

IMPROVING THE OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT WITH HYBRID

WORKSTATIONS AND BETTER
ACOUSTIC CONTROL
Senior Studio 1 INTA402
Pro. Grefe
Jesse Rotz
Jesse Rotz – “Improving the Office Environment through Better Acoustic Control” Page 1
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Overview/statement of problem
B. Thesis
II. History of Office Design
A. The development of the “enclosed” office
B. The effects of the enclosed office on employees
C. The relationship between the office environment & the company occupying the
space
III. The Creation of Collaborative Office Layouts
A. The transition from enclosed offices to collaborative offices
B. The response to the collaborative office
IV. The Obstacles faced with Collaborative Offices Explored
A. Privacy in the office environment
B. Acoustic control
C. Personalization in a shared environment
V. Design for a Better Office Environment
A. Interview with Lori Hewitt
B. Interview with Kate Cashdollar
C. Case study 1
D. Case study 2
E. The new “hybrid” office – (flexible/adaptive office environment)
F. Acoustical control – (ceiling clouds, acoustic panels, carpet tile)
VI. Conclusion
A. Summarization of findings
B. Connection to thesis
VII. Figures Cited
VIII. Works Cited
Introduction –
Open concept offices were created in the 1950s in Germany, but have only
recently become the new trend in American office buildings. In the last 25 years, high-
tech companies and design firms have transitioned from closed office spaces to
“collaborative” offices (Scalco, 2017). These spaces are designed for employees to
interact and collaborate with each other on creative projects. This new design for offices
seemed, at first, like the perfect solution for creative, design-focused companies that
required teamwork and fresh ideas to come across the best product or design. This was
not the case, because, even though these spaces offered a way for employees to
interact with each other, it took away the privacy and focused environment that private
offices offered. The problem with the development of the shared office environment is
that there are a lot of distractions with having so many employees working in the same
space. In a study that was done on seven different office buildings, as many as 72% of
respondents were dissatisfied with acoustic privacy in their office spaces (2007).
Employee’s stress levels were higher and their productivity levels dropped
tremendously because of the distractions related to shared offices. Because the
collaborative office environment has its own problems as well, the question remains:
How can businesses that need employees to work together to develop new ideas
provide spaces that allow their employees to focus on their own work, while also, being
able to collaborate on team projects? The answer is in the configuration of furniture,
systems, and materials used in these environments. In other words, in order to create
an open-plan office that allows employees to collaborate, as well as, focus on their own
work, the designer must address the acoustics in this environment (“Open Plan
Acoustics”). This is how designers can improve these open office spaces for the
employees working in them, which will improve the company’s productivity and overall
success as well.
Before establishing new design ideas for these open-plan offices, there needs to
be an understanding of the history of the “office environment”. It is true that enclosed
offices were created first, but in order to understand how these new “open offices”
began to replace the traditional design, one must determine what key aspects were
needed/lacking in these enclosed environments that lead architects to develop the
collaborative office.
History of Office Design –
(The development of the “enclosed” office)
The birth of the railroad system in the mid-1800s resulted in an increase in job
creation. These jobs included conductors, engineers, accountants, clerks, carpenters,
ticket sellers, and payroll officers. As the transportation industry grew, a bigger
communication system was needed to help transport products effectively to other
companies throughout the US, resulting in need for a greater number of individuals to fill
these various roles. This lead to a necessity for a system of organizational hierarchy
among those working in these communication buildings. By the 1880s, this hierarchy
system was adopted by other industries, such as, Western Union, insurance
companies, and banking companies. The reason these companies needed such large
offices was because of the tremendous number of employees who were needed to keep
these companies running smoothly.

After WW2, the office environment changed dramatically. With factory jobs
paying far more than office jobs, employers needed to figure out a way to draw more
employees back in. They eliminated the mundane, routine-centered “Scientific
Management” system that was developed by Frederick Taylor, and introduced health
insurance and retirement plans. The office spaces were filled with more comfortable and
aesthetically pleasing furniture as well. This made the spaces more visually appealing
and welcoming. With these significant changes in office layout and design, people
began to quit their factor jobs, and go back to working in corporate office buildings
(“Smithsonianeductaion.org”).
This foundation of information on the history of office design helps one to
understand how and why offices were developed and what key features and
characteristics were a part of these spaces. The importance of such environments for
corporate offices is evident, however, the psychological effects related with these
spaces aren’t quite as transparent.
(The effects of the enclosed office on employees)
The enclosed office brings many benefits to those who work in these spaces.
The following describes the various advantages of enclosed office spaces:
1.) Privacy – The most common aspect of this type of office that people associate
with is privacy. When working in these environments, the term “enclosed” literally
means, a closed-off space with which one can work and focus on the task at
hand in a peaceful setting with walls that block out noise and other distractions.
This allows the employee to get more work done throughout the day.
2.) Personalization – With private offices, comes the ability to personalize the space
however the employee would want it. This creates an atmosphere within the
office environment that reflects the employee’s personality and gives the space a
“homie” feeling. These elements help the employee feel welcome and lesson the
desire to leave the office building.
3.) Reduces Gossip – Because every office is disconnected from one another, it
eliminates the amount of social gossip and drama that is typically related with
these work environments. Which, in turn, improves productivity.
4.) Healthy Competition – The connection between office size and employee status
is established and encourages employees to do their best work in order to obtain
a higher position or ranking. While starting employees might have a smaller-sized
office with less natural light coming into it, employees with more experience, or
higher ranking could have bigger offices with more natural light and features
(Reddy).
It is easy to see how enclosed office spaces would’ve been popular and still are today.
When people think of closed offices, they often think of accounting firms, banking
companies, insurance companies, and law firms. This is because the type of work that
is associated with these companies is directly related to the kind of office layout that is
designed for that company. One of the biggest disadvantages of closed offices is the
disconnection between employees. Since each individual has their own private office
space with floor-to-ceiling walls, it can be isolating for each employee. The
communication begins to fail with this kind of office environment, because of the lack of
interaction between employees (see figure 1). This was what sparked the idea for the
next type of office that will be discussed.
(Figure 1 – “The Space”. Instant Offices. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
(The relationship between the office environment & the company occupying the
space)
The enclosed office was a key feature for many businesses because of the ability
for each employee to work on their individual work and build the company’s success.
This type of office is very beneficial to a lot of different businesses, such as, banks,
insurance companies, law firms, and accounting firms. The design intent of these offices
was to eliminate any distractions surrounding these environments, and instead, give
each employee some breathing room to do critical thinking on the tasks at hand. This is
why the closed office was so popular, until a new demand for spaces that encouraged
employee interaction took place.
The Creation of Collaborative Office Layouts –
(The transition from enclosed offices to collaborative offices)

With new businesses coming up in America, there was a concern with how the
standard office would be beneficial to companies that needed their employees to work
together. These businesses are ones those that thrive on employee communication and
collaboration in order to exchange ideas and thoughts to come up with the best solution
or product. It is crucial for employees to interact, because of the complex nature of the
company’s work. “In fact, data from a survey of 600 corporate executives conducted by
the Gartner Group found that the percentage of workers’ product being dependent on
group input increased from about 25 percent in the year 2000 to 60 percent in the year
2010” (Arsenault, 2017). This is how the need for “open-plan” offices became apparent
and the design for offices shifted from enclosed to shared, or collaborative office
environments. While the former office design focused on employee separation, closed-
off spaces, and a hierarchy system, the new collaborative office design is centered
around open spaces that are shared. They encourage employee communication and as
few walls as possible to allow for far more employees to share the same space. The
way these space work is in the arrangement of furniture and “workstations”. The space
is large and has a lot of natural light, because of the absence of internal walls that
would’ve typically divided the space into private offices. This allows every employee to
have access to natural light, which improves the health and well-being of each person
working in this space. It also eliminates the costs of lighting, and heating/cooling
throughout the day since everyone shares the same space. This is another factor that
attracted these new companies. Within this vast space are arrangements of furniture
that encourage employee collaboration. There are typically desks that are lines up with
each other and face each other with computers that share the same electric panel.
Another arrangement is in the cubicle-style system furniture. This is where partition
walls are placed in the space to provide a workstation for each employee that is
somewhat separate, but not anything like the typical enclosed offices that used floor-to-
ceiling walls. These cubicles allow each individual to work on their own tasks, while
being close to each other, in case collaboration is needed. There are also groups of
meeting tables where employees can sit together and discuss different ideas and work
off of each other in order to come up with a solution or product. This is like the more
formal layout of meeting spaces, but is in the same open space that shares the
cubicles, desks, etc. The whole idea behind these offices is to break the barrier that
separates the individuals who work here, and instead, bring them together to solve
complex problems that would be hard for any one person to solve. This is why shared
offices are so popular among creative companies that are looking for ideas to better the
lives of the community.
(The response to the collaborative office)
Although the goal of these collaborative office spaces was to bring employees
together and increase productivity for the business, this wasn’t exactly the outcome.
Some of the planned aspects of open offices remained true, such as, better
communication among employees, and lower costs because of the lack of separate
offices, which also reduced heating/cooling bills, however, the idea that collaborative
offices would increase efficiency and productivity has not been achieved. These spaces
present a lot of negative factors that affect the individuals who work in these
environments. Some of the biggest problems with open-plan offices is the lack of
privacy, noise control, and visual distractions. It’s easy to think that because open
offices allow employees to work together more and the initial costs of constructing these
spaces is far lower than the standard closed office, that it is a fix-all solution for any
business and office environment. This is definitely not the case, as studies have shown
that “open-plan offices are related to decreased job satisfaction, reduced motivation,
and perceived privacy… examining subjective reports of employees in open-plan offices
have identified irrelevant speech as a factor linked to negative perceptions of the
workplace, lower productivity, and stress” (Abdul-Ghani et al., 2011). These distractions
are making the workplace far more stressful than the closed office, which is the exact
opposite of what employers wanted for their employees. This office environment adds
more pressure for each individual to try to get work done, while dealing with visual and
audible distractions around them. Not only do the employees not have a space to focus
on their work, but the space that they do have also causes them to feel exposed and
take away the personal aspect of having their own office.
The Obstacles Faced with Collaborative Offices Explored –
(Privacy in the office environment)
As discussed before, privacy is a big issue with collaborative office spaces. And
this isn’t just about not having a room for one’s self. It is about the psychological aspect
of being exposed in a space, while trying to focus on the task at hand. It becomes an
added stress because of the loss of concentration on one’s own work, which turns into
more work for the individual to complete their job every day. How can one accomplish a
variety of tasks if the individual can’t even focus enough to get one thing done? This is
where open-plan offices lack and a new type of layout is needed in order to get
employees to have a more positive outlook on their job, which will increase the
productivity of the company as a whole. Such things to consider when thinking about
privacy issues is the way these office spaces are laid out. As stated before, there are
multiple ways to lay out the space of a collaborative office, since the space is open and
the elements inside are all moveable. The workstations that most employee use are
cubicles, which are partition-walled work areas that each employee can use to do their
work on the computer, for filing, calling, etc., but these workstations provide very little
privacy because of the low partition walls that can easily be looked over when standing
(see figure 2). This leads to employees feeling exposed and takes their minds off of
their work, and instead, on who’s watching them work. Another workstation is the
shared desk area that has multiple desks lined up against one another with each desk
having its own computer. These workstations are even more exposed, since there is
nothing separating each employee’s desk area.

(Figure 2 – “Living in a Cubicle: Human-Friendly Open Plan Offices”. Kaspersky.com.
Feb. 23. 2015. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
(Acoustic control)
Another problem with open-plan offices is the distractions related to noise and
conversations that weren’t intended for everyone to hear. Since the space is open
without any walls to block sound or even muffle the noise, there is a lot of distracting
noise that interferes with the individual’s productivity. This makes it hard for the
employee to simply focus on their own work and complete tasks to the best of their
ability. Since these offices are typically surrounded by windows to allow natural light to
enter the space, it can be hard to have a conversation without every other colleague
overhearing what the person is saying. As Michael Chusid stated, “it also happened to
be exceptionally easy to overhear conversations in that office. Working in
an open office, the junior partners were consigned to cubicles along the building's
masonry and glass perimeter. These hard surfaces reflected their voices directly to the
drafting tables occupied by the interns, located merely six feet away” (2001).
(Personalization in a shared environment)
Finally, the third factor that has a great effect on the employee’s well-being and
productivity is the inability to make one’s own workspace reflect them in some way. In
other words, when the office space is being shared by multiple people, there is little
room, if any at all, to personalize one’s work area. This is because of the lack of wall
space and separation between employees. The effects of personalized workspaces are
great on the employee’s overall well-being and outlook on their job. Being able to
personalize one’s own workspace creates a sense of belonging and establishes an area
that reflects the individual, which helps that person relax and concentrate more on their
work. As Natalie Shoemaker stated in her article, “The Importance of Personalized
Workspaces”, “As an introvert who once worked in a corporate office building, being
able to personalize my workspace was an important part of meeting and bonding with
the people I worked with on a personal level. Without them, I'd have been the loner in
my office” (par. 9).
Design for a Better Office Environment –
(Interview with Lori Hewitt)
Lori Hewitt is an interior designer that works in California doing commercial and
hospitality design. She has a Master’s Degree in Interior Design, and is LEED (ID+C)-
certified. When asked about what types of businesses would benefit from collaborative
office layouts, she responded, “digital animators, designers, web developers, startups,
etc., are among those environments that require and thrive from the exchange of ideas
and readily available support.” She went on to describe the idea behind open offices,
saying, “There is a thought that, by tearing down literal barriers there is a greater
opportunity for resulting increase in both creativity and productivity. Additionally, as
industry evolves and expands, the execution of product/service development relies
heavily on workflow collaboration.”
The next topic that was discussed was why open offices took over the traditional
closed offices. Lori talked about how a company’s core values are the greatest
influencers on a shift from closed to open office spaces. It isn’t so much about a new
idea for all companies to take hold of, but rather, a new way of laying out a space for
specific companies that need this kind of collaboration and interaction among
employees in order to be successful.
The disadvantages of open offices, for Lori, are the following:
1.) Noise – This is something that can hinder even the easiest of jobs, simply
because of the distracting factors of surrounding noise in the workplace.
2.) Interruptions – Because the collaborative office encourages interaction and
brainstorming of ideas from different employees, this can also cause many
interruptions throughout the day, while the employee tries to accomplish one
task.
3.) Interpersonal environment – Some employees may thrive on collaborating with
other colleagues, but others require more independent tasks in order to be
successful at their job. The shared office space leaves these employees feeling
uncomfortable and at a greater disadvantage, performance-wise.
When considering the advancements for office design, Lori suggested creating a hybrid
office environment, which looks at the needs of the individuals who use the space, and
then creates a space that fits all of the needs of the employees to be a productive work
environment.
(Interview with Kate Cashdollar)
The next interview was with interior designer, Kate Cashdollar, who works in
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She works on commercial and hospitality design as well.
Kate has an Associates Degree in Specialized Technology in Interior Design.
When asked the same question regarding the business that would thrive on open-plan
office environments, Kate responded, “Architectural and design firms, furniture

dealers/manufacturers, graphic design companies, fashion industries, and engineering
companies.”
Kate talked about the need for collaborative offices and how they sort-of replaced the
standard closed office. “There has been a paradigm shift and teaching methods and the
way students learn. That said, it’s changing how we work. As students are graduating,
seeking employment, this is one of the things they are looking for… When you love
what you do and where you work, it shows in your work.”
She went on to discuss the distractions that come with these environments. Kate
explained how the need for private rooms is still apparent even in collaborative offices,
because having a private conversation is almost impossible in these spaces. There has
to be a place where two people can talk about private matters of importance, without
every employee being distracted by the conversation.
When asked what direction designers should take in order to come up with a better
office design, Kate stated, “Plan for flexibility, provide the ability to work anywhere and
everywhere. Mobile options, access to power and data.” This idea behind flexible
furniture is something that both designers had suggested for improving the office space.
(Case study 1)
The first case study is located on 77 North 3rd Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
The building is and office building called the “Hub Building”, which has many different
office spaces within the interior. The building had just recently started a gut renovation
in order to change the space arrangements inside for better office environments, as well
as, update the original façade and interior elements of the building. The spaces were
very outdated and didn’t flow well. These offices are a combination of closed and open
office spaces. This was interesting to see first-hand. The spaces flowed very nicely from
one to the next, and the use of materials was very well-done. The goal of this renovation
was to create office spaces that would suite multiple companies. One space had 4
enclosed offices on the west side of the room, while the east side, facing the windows,
was left open for cubicles, or other open workstations (see figure 3). This is an
interesting idea, providing both enclosed and open offices in the same space. All of the
enclosed offices had small windows to allow the natural light to filter through the open
office space into the private offices. There were no special wall treatments in these
spaces in order to control acoustics, which is definitely a concern that one would have
when using this space as a collaborative environment. Another concern was about the
amount of space in the shared office. The space was quite narrow, which would feel
even more cramped after putting cubicles or other flexible workstations in this space.
(Figure 3 – Rotz, Jesse. “The Hub Building”. 2017. JPEG.)
After having a tour of the office spaces, there were new ideas that came to mind. The
first idea was about the inclusion of both enclosed offices and open offices in the same
space. This design would eliminate the need for constant reconstruction of room
layouts, since the space has a variety of office design methods.
(Case study 2)
The second case study is located in Chambersburg, Pa, as well. This building is
an office building for an architectural and engineering firm called, “Newcomer
Associates”. The office is located on the ground floor and is a combination of
collaborative and private offices. Upon entering, the space is greeted with a reception
area that leads into the collaborative space in the center of the building. There is a
corridor that surrounds this space, which leads to the outer private offices. While the
flow of the spaces works quite well, there was something that became apparent after
entering the collaborative office space. There were no windows or access to natural
light anywhere in this space. The only natural light that got into this office space was in
the front reception area where guests would check in. This is a major problem that can
ultimately hinder employee productivity and overall health/wellbeing. One of the
architects that works there said how she wishes the space could have access to natural
lighting, as she feels this is the most important aspect of any building, but they can’t
change this aspect of the building, because the landlord won’t allow it. The architect
redesigned a lot of the interior elements of the office spaces, including the addition of
glass windows looking into the private offices that would’ve separated these offices from
the open office space. She said that she wanted to open up the spaces to allow for
natural light, if the landlord would eventually let them incorporate windows in this
building. Another negative factor of this building was the outdated furniture that was
used for each employee’s workstation. Every cubicle was made with outdated materials
that didn’t absorb sound in any way. One of the employees said that in order to block
out distracting noise or talking, he would put headphones in to listen to music while he
worked. This is something that needs to be fixed in order to improve working conditions
and employee satisfaction all-around (see figure 4).
(Figure 4 – Rotz, Jesse. “Newcomer Associates”. 2017. JPEG.)
(The new “hybrid” office – flexible/adaptive office spaces)
After gaining a better understanding of collaborative spaces through the case
studies and professional interviews, the need for hybrid office furniture and better
acoustic control was discovered. As Lori Hewitt mentioned in the previous interview,
hybrid office layouts focus on the needs of the individual using the space, and
addresses each aspect, while being flexible for multiple people to use at the same time.
Before designing an office environment, one must look at the basic 7 attributes of
workspaces. These are the following:
1.) Location – How accessible the current space is for employees
2.) Enclosure – How much of the space is enclosed by walls and doors?
3.) Exposure – How private, both visually and acoustically, the space is
4.) Technology – How high-tech the space is in order to accustom different company
requirements
5.) Temporality – How much the space encourages lingering
6.) Perspective – What direction the space focuses the employee’s attention
7.) Size – The useable square footage of the space
All of these key factors help determine the layout of the office space and what elements
still need to be brought into the space in order to accomplish the desired outcome for
the specific company (Bacevice et al. 2016).
For a lot of high-tech companies, the office layout has taken a new turn and is,
also, effecting the way employees work in these environments. The whole idea behind
this new “hybrid” office is the concept of working in different areas throughout the day,
rather than staying at a fixed workstation the entire day. Employees still have their
assigned desk areas, but they no longer need to be chained down to one area the
whole day. This type of office environment encourages employees to have new ideas
and become inspired through a variety of different work areas. There are libraries,
cafes, and outdoor spaces for employees to take conference calls and other related
business tasks (see figure 5). By providing a variety of spaces for employees to work in,
this encourages the spontaneous encounters that spark new ideas for better success
for the company (“The Economist”).
(Figure 5 – Hoskins, Diane. “The Top Four Things Millennials want from the Workplace”.
Shift Commission. Nov. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
With the introduction of flexible workstations, this allows the employee to have
their own work area, but it is not fixed in any certain way. The adaptive properties of
such furniture systems make for flexible workstations that different employees can use
without having to introduce new furniture items to suite the individual’s needs. The idea
behind the flexible workstation is the ability to change the piece to work better for the
employee. An example of a flexible workstation is the “Prospect Solo Space” desk
system. This system features a round partial wall system to allow visual privacy, while
also being light enough to move to different areas in the office. The walls are made of a
soft material that absorbs sound, creating acoustical privacy. These acoustical wall
panels are tackable, giving the employee more space to organize papers and notes
(see figure 6).
(Figure 6 – “Prospect Solo Space”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
Another example of this new style of office furniture is the “Brody” by Steelcase. This is
a more simplified piece that features a comfortable lounge-like chair with an adjustable
worksurface that holds the computer at eye-level, reducing neck and shoulder strain. It
can also be interlocked to other Brody pieces, which forms a chain appearance, but still
maintains a sense of privacy (see figure 7).

(Figure 7 – “Brody”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
These flexible furniture pieces allow for a better office design in the way
employees work in the space (see figure 8).

(Figure 8 – Rotz, Jesse. “Custom Mobile Desk”. 2017. JPEG.)
Diane Hoskins, Gensler Co-CEO, discussed the importance of having a diverse
group of work spaces stating, “More common areas like coffee bars, cafeterias, small
group meeting rooms and conference rooms mean that more spontaneous interactions
can occur, and important conversations can take place away from work areas where
they are often disruptive” (11).
Because flexible office spaces are still open-planned, the need for acoustic
privacy is still there. This is where attention to wall, ceiling, and flooring materials is
crucial in the beginning phase of the design process.
(Acoustical control)
Before discussing what materials and elements need to be provided for better
acoustic control, one needs to understand what NRC stands for. The abbreviation
“NRC” stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient. In other words, the NRC rating helps
determine the average amount of sound an acoustic product can absorb. The NRC
rating ranges from 0 to 1. If the NRC rating is 0, then the product doesn’t absorb any
sound. If the NRC rating is 1, then the product absorbs all sound (“Audimute”).
The first aspect of acoustical control that will be discussed is the ceiling.
Typically, acoustical ceiling tiles are provided in commercial applications, however, this
isn’t good enough for the open-plan, flexible office environment. There needs to be
more acoustic absorption in these offices since so many people will be using the same
space. The use of ceiling clouds will further develop the acoustic design of the space
and help control unwanted noise in the office. What is a ceiling cloud? A ceiling cloud is
a panel that is suspended from the ceiling that absorbs sound as it hits the face of the
panel, while trapping reflections from the ceiling on the back side of the panel. An
example of this product is the “Nimbus” by Primacoustic. This ceiling cloud has an NRC
rating of .98. The Nimbus acoustic ceiling cloud is “made from 1.5″ (38mm) thick high-
density 6lb per cubic foot (96 kg/m³) glass wool that is completely encapsulated with
micromesh and resin hardened edges. The acoustic panel is then covered in either
Broadway™ acoustically transparent fabric or coated in Primacoustic’s proprietary
textured white paintable finish” (“Primacoustic”). This product will help diminish noise in
the hybrid office environment, without taking up any extra room, and the sculptural
quality of the ceiling cloud will add to the aesthetic of the space (see figure 9).
(Figure 9 – “Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
For the wall material, acoustical wall panels need to be in place to further absorb
sound and enhance the acoustic quality of the interior environment. An example of this
system is the AlphaSorb acoustic panel from Acoustic Solutions. It is a fabric-wrapped

acoustic panel that has an NRC rating of .85 and has a Class A fire rating. Acoustic wall
panels offer a sound buffer, which will help to reduce the spread of noise throughout the
office space. This will help the employees to focus and not hear every conversation
around them (see figure 10).
(Figure 10 – “Alphasorb Acoustic Panels”. Acoustical Solutions. N.d. Web. Dec. 12.
2017.)
For the flooring material, an acoustic carpet tile should be used to absorb sound,
as well as, provide a durable surface for commercial applications, and enhance visual
aesthetics. One example of this material is the “Scatter” carpet tile collection from
Acoufelt. This carpet tile has an NRC rating of .25, which isn’t as high as the other
materials selected, but with the combination of all three products they will work together
nicely to absorb unwanted noise and allow employees to talk amongst each other
without feeling like they have to whisper (see figure 11).
(Figure 11 – “Scatter Chrome”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
Conclusion –
(Summarization of findings)
From the beginning of office design, with the development of the enclosed office
and the many benefits and disadvantages of this office layout, there was a need for a
more collaborative space that allowed employees to interact and exchange ideas with
each other. This lead to the development of the open-plan office environment, which
incorporated minimal interior walls and doors, and focused on the cubicle workstation
where employees shared the same office space, but with different work areas that were
separated by partition walls. This distracting environment ultimately caused frustration
among employees and higher levels of stress, along with lower productivity levels. After
conducting interviews with professional in the design field, a better understanding of the
needs for office design was determined and a couple case studies helped further
develop new ideas for a better office layout. This new “hybrid” office features a
combination of collaborative and private offices with flexible furniture systems that allow
employees to transition between work areas throughout the day (see figure 12). This
increases productivity, while also, improving work satisfaction among employees. The
need for acoustic privacy is also a major factor in open-plan office spaces, so acoustic
materials were addressed for ceiling, wall, and flooring finishes. This ensures acoustic
privacy in a shared environment that has a lot of employees going from one area to the
next, which, in turn, improves focus and overall wellbeing among these workers.
(Figure 12 – Rotz, Jesse. “Hybrid Office Design”. 2017. JPEG.)
(Connection to thesis)
After researching this topic, a realization was made in regards to office design
and what other factors make for a great office environment. It isn’t only about the
acoustic control of a space that makes the office space work for the employees. It is
also about the layout of the space and how each employee interacts with each other, as
well as, what makes the employee more productive and satisfied with their job. The goal
of this paper was to discover ways to improve acoustic control in order to better the
open-plan office, but upon further research, the discovery of hybrid office furniture and
the flexible office environment made a profound impact on the solution for a better office
space (see figure 13).
(Figure 13 – Hoskins, Diane. “Employees Perform Better when They Can Control Their
Space”. Harvard Business Review. Jan. 16. 2014. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
Not only is acoustic control addressed in this new hybrid office environment, but
the way in which employees work in these spaces is something that is very fascinating.
The inclusion of both open-plan and private offices, along with flexible office
workstations and acoustic materials, creates a work environment that encourages
employees to enjoy their work and complete their tasks in whatever area they choose
(see figures 14 & 15).
(Figure 14 – Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines Between Home,
Hospitality, and Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12.
2017.)
(Figure 15 - Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines Between Home,
Hospitality, and Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12.
2017.)
As Nathan Curtis, interior designer for Fuse Studios, stated:
The biggest legacy failure is commuting to and from the office each day and having to
be seen at your desk for hours in the end. Technology pretty much allows you to work
anywhere and allows employers to track productivity. Of course, trust is important here.
The office of tomorrow needs to be more of a social space for the sharing and
discussion of ideas. Where the agreed work needs to be carried out is not so important
unless you are tied to manufacturing something. Task based environments are the key.
(14)
This freedom that comes with hybrid office layouts leads to the satisfaction of the
individual working in these environments on a daily basis. And with a positive outlook on
one’s own job, the work produced from the individual also improves dramatically. This
increases productivity, improves health conditions of the employee, and ultimately leads
to a more successful company.

Figures Cited
Figure 1 – “The Space”. Instant Offices. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< http://www.instantoffices.com/en-us/us/available-office-space/chicago/south-
wacker-drive-22790 >
Figure 2 – “Living in a Cubicle: Human-Friendly Open Plan Offices”. Kaspersky.com.
Feb. 23. 2015. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/open-plan-office-survival/7700/ >
Figure 3 – Rotz, Jesse. “The Hub Building”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 4 – Rotz, Jesse. “Newcomer Associates”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 5 – Hoskins, Diane. “The Top 4 Things Millennials want from the Workplace”.
Shift Commission. Nov. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://shiftcommission.work/the-top-four-things-millennials-want-from-the-
workplace-c3a9aea4d134 >
Figure 6 – “Prospect Solo Space”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/workspaces/collaborative-
furniture/prospect-solo-space/ >
Figure 7 – “Brody”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.steelcase.com/products/lounge-seating/brody/ >
Figure 8 – Rotz, Jesse. “Custom Mobile Desk”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 9 - “Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< http://www.primacoustic.com/nimbus/ >
Figure 10 – “Acoustic Panels”. Acoustical Solutions. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://acousticalsolutions.com/product/alphasorb-acoustic-panels/ >
Figure 11 – “Acoufelt Carpet Tile”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://acoufelt.com/product/scatter-chrome/ >
Figure 12 – Rotz, Jesse. “Hybrid Office Design”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 13 – Hoskins, Diane. “Employees Perform Better when They Can Control Their
Space”. Harvard Business Review. Jan. 16. 2014. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://hbr.org/2014/01/employees-perform-better-when-they-can-control-their-
space >
Figure 14 & 15 – Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines between
Home, Hospitality, and Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web.
Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://workdesign.com/2016/08/zendesk-san-francisco-hq-blurs-lines-home-
hospitality-workplace/ >
Works Cited
Abdul-Ghani A.A., Hashim H., Hashim Z. S., Kamarulzaman N., Saleh A. A. “An
Overview of the Influence of Physical Office Environments towards Employees”.
Procedia Engineering. Vol. 20, 2011, pp. 262-268.
Arsenault, Peter J. “The Evolving Workplace Environment”. Architectural Record, vol.
205, no. 8, Aug. 2017, pp. 138-146. EBSCOhost.
“A Short History of the Birth and Growth of the American Office”.
Smithsonianeducation.org. N.d. Web. Nov. 30. 2017.
< http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/carbons/text/birth.html >
Bacevice, Peter, Burow, Liz, & Triebner, Mat. “7 Factors of Great Office Design”.
Harvard Business Review. May 20. 2016. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://hbr.org/2016/05/7-factors-of-great-office-design >
Chusid, Michael. “Public Musings on Acoustical Privacy”. Architectural Record, vol. 189,
no. 9, Sept. 2001, p. 163. EBSCOhost.
Herbig, B., et al. “Does Office Space Occupation Matter? The Role of the Number of
Persons per Enclosed Office Space, Psychosocial Work Characteristics, and
Environmental Satisfaction in the Physical and Mental Health of Employees”.
Indoor Air, vol. 26, no. 5, Oct. 2016, pp. 755-767. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/ina.
12263.
“Home Page”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.hermanmiller.com/ >
“Home Page”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.steelcase.com/ >

Hoskins, Diane. “The Top 4 Things Millennials want from the Workplace”. Shift
Commission. Nov. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://shiftcommission.work/the-top-four-things-millennials-want-from-the-
workplace-c3a9aea4d134 >
“Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
“NRC Ratings: What is a Noise Reduction Coefficient?”. Audimute. N.d. Web. Dec. 7.
2017.
< https://www.audimute.com/nrc-ratings-noise-reduction-coefficient >
“Open Plan Acoustics”. Sound Management Group. N.d. Web. Nov. 27. 2017.
< https://soundmanagementgroup.com/applications/offices/open-plan-acoustics/
>
Reddy, Chitra. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Closed Office Layout”.
Wisestep.com. N.d. Web. Nov. 30. 2017.
< https://content.wisestep.com/advantages-disadvantages-closed-office-layout/ >
Scalco, Daniel. “How Open Office Plans Affect Workplace Productivity”. Business.com.
Feb. 22. 2017. Web. Nov. 25. 2017.
< https://www.business.com/articles/dan-scalco-workplace-productivity/ >
“Scatter Carpet Tile”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://acoufelt.com/product-category/acoufelt-carpet-tile/scatter/ >
Shoemaker, Natalie. “The Importance of Personalized Workspaces”. Big Think. N.d.
Web. Dec. 2. 2017.
< http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/the-importance-of-personalized-workspaces
“Speech Privacy in Office Environments”. Center for the Built Environment. July 18.
2007. Web. Nov. 27. 2017.
< https://www.cbe.berkeley.edu/research/acoustics.htm >
“Technology Firms and the Office of the Future”. The Economist. Apr. 29. 2017. Web.
Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.economist.com/news/business/21721423-their-eccentric-buildings-
offer-clues-about-how-people-will-work-technology-firms-and-office >
“The Future of Office Design: Creating the Workplace for Next Generation”. Tableair.
Aug. 11. 2017. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.tableair.com/single-post/2017/08/11/The-Future-of-Office-Design-
Creating-the-Workplace-for-Next-Generation >
IMPROVING THE OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT WITH HYBRID
WORKSTATIONS AND BETTER
ACOUSTIC CONTROL
Jesse Rotz
INTA402 – Senior Studio 1
Professor Michael Grefe
December 21, 2017
Thesis Introduction
Open concept offices were created in the 1950s in

Germany, but have only recently become the new
trend in American office buildings (Scalco, 2017). These
spaces are designed for employees to interact and Lack of privacy due to fewer
collaborate with each other on creative projects walls
Distractions caused by noise

and other employee’s
conversations
Higher levels of stress
Lower productivity
levels because of
these distractions
(Figure 1 – “Death in the Afternoon: Keeping Your Energy After Lunch”. Talkroute. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
History of Office Design
The birth of the railroad system in the mid-1800s resulted in an increase in job
creation. This lead to a necessity for a system of organizational hierarchy among
those working in these communication buildings (“Smithsonianeducation.org”).
(Figure 2 – “Vintage Photographs of Office Interiors”. Office Museum. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
History of Office Design
After WW2, the office environment changed dramatically. Employers eliminated the
routine-centered “Scientific Management” system, and introduced health insurance
and retirement plans. The office spaces were filled with more comfortable and
aesthetically pleasing furniture as well (“Smithsonianeducation.org”).
(Figure 3 – “Vintage Office Design”. Flickr. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
The Effects of the Enclosed Office on Employees
The enclosed office brings many benefits to those

who work in these spaces.
Privacy through floor-to-
ceiling walls and doors.
Personalization with one’s

own office space
Healthy competition among

employees to reach a
certain level
(Figure 4 – “How the Legal Industry is Evolving”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017. )
The Effects of the Enclosed Office on Employees
One of the biggest disadvantages of closed offices is the disconnection between

employees. Because of this reason, a new type of office was needed for better
communication and collaboration.
(Figure 5 – Mazzina, Alyssa. “Can’t Afford Private Offices? Let Developers go Remote”. Stack Overflow. Apr.
14. 2017. Web. Dec. 20. 2017.)
The Creation of Collaborative Office Layouts
“Data from a survey of 600 corporate executives conducted by the Gartner Group found that
the percentage of workers’ product being dependent on group input increased from about 25
percent in the year 2000 to 60 percent in the year 2010” (Arsenault, 2017). This gives a better
understanding as to why private offices were not appropriate for all kinds of businesses.
2002
2001
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2000
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
The new collaborative office design is centered

around open spaces that are shared. Encourage employee
interaction
Provide more natural

light throughout
Improves health and

well-being of employees
Reduces costs of
heating/cooling
(Figure 6 – “Chretien Multipod Studio’s Office Concept”. Divisare. 2013. Web. Dec. 14. 2017. )
These cubicles allow

each individual to work
on their own tasks, while
being close to each
other, in case
collaboration is needed.
(Figure 7 – Admin. “5 Top Tips for Choosing Office Space”. Business Magazine. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017. )
The Response to the Collaborative Office
Studies have shown that “open-plan offices are related to decreased job satisfaction,
reduced motivation, and perceived privacy” (Abdul-Ghani et al., 2011). This office
environment adds more pressure for each individual to try to get work done, while dealing
with visual and audible distractions around them.
(Figure 8 – Neese, Brian. “The Price of Collaboration: Open Office Environments and Employee Productivity”.
Rivier University Online. July 30. 2015. Web. Dec. 14. 2017. )
The Obstacles Faced with Collaborative Offices Explored
Very little privacy
Feeling of being exposed
Loss of focus on the task at

hand
(Figure 9 – “Living in a Cubicle: Human-Friendly Open Plan Offices”. Kaspersky.com. Feb. 23. 2015. Web. Dec.
12. 2017.)
Becuase the space is open

without any walls to block, or
even muffle sounds, there is a
lot of distracting noise that
interferes with the individual’s
productivity.
(Figure 10 – Withhoft, Ole. “How to Combine Good Sound and Minimalist Interior Design”. System-Audio. N.d.
Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
“As an introvert who once worked in a corporate office building, being able to
personalize my workspace was an important part of meeting and bonding with
the people I worked with on a personal level. Without them, I'd have been the
loner in my office” (par. 9).
(Figure 11 – Biobaku, Samod. “Workplace Diversity: Is Your Office Boring, Fun or Just Annoying?”. Jobberman.
N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
Design for a Better Office Environment
“Plan for flexibility,

provide the ability to
work anywhere and
everywhere. Mobile
options, access to power
and data” (Cashdollar,
2017).
(Figure 12 – “The Office Renaissance, Does the ‘Cool Factor’ Pay Off?”. Hillhouse. May 18. 2015. Web. Dec.
14. 2017.)
The first case study, located in

Chambersburg, PA, was an office
space that combined both private
and open offices.
Combining both private and shared

spaces
(Figure 13 – Rotz, Jesse. “The Hub Building”. 2017. JPEG.)

The second case study is also located

in Chambersburg, PA. This space
demonstrated the negative effects of
a lack of natural light and poor space
planning. Employees have very little
acoustic privacy and have to use
headphones to drown out distracting
conversations.
(Figure 14 – Rotz, Jesse. “Newcomer Associates”. 2017. JPEG.)

The New “Hybrid” Office – Flexible/Adaptive Office Spaces
The whole idea behind this new

“hybrid” office is the concept of
working in different areas
throughout the day, rather than
staying at a fixed workstation
the entire day.
Libraries
Cafes
Outdoor spaces
(Figure 15 – Hoskins, Diane. “The Top Four Things Millennials want from the Workplace”. Shift Commission. Nov.
1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
An example of a flexible workstation

is the “Prospect Solo Space” desk
system. This workstation features a
round partial wall system to allow
visual privacy, while also being light
enough to move to different areas in
the office.
(Figure 16 – “Prospect Solo Space”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.)
Another example of this new

style of office furniture is the
“Brody” by Steelcase. This is a
more simplified piece that
features a comfortable
lounge-like chair with an
adjustable worksurface that
holds the computer at eye-
level, reducing neck and
shoulder strain.
(Figure 17 - “Brody”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)

The “Cubic Pod” system is

another great flexible
workstation that allows
employees to have a quiet
space in a shared
environment for meetings and
other collaborative projects
without disturbing other
employees.
(Figure 18 - “Cubic Pod”. Urban Office. N.d. Web. Dec. 19. 2017.)
These mobile workstations

allow employees to choose
how and where they work
throughout the day, which
improves the mood and
productivity levels of these
individuals.
(Figure 19 – Rotz, Jesse. “Custom Mobile Desk”. 2017. JPEG.)

Because this “hybrid” office

space is still a shared
environment, there needs to be
more acoustic absorption in these
offices in order to control
unwanted sound. The use of
ceiling clouds will further develop
the acoustic design of the space
and help control unwanted noise
in the office.
(Figure 20 – “Survey Monkey”. Armstrong. N.d. Web. Dec. 20. 2017. )

A ceiling cloud is a panel that is

suspended from the ceiling that
absorbs sound as it hits the face
of the panel, while trapping
reflections from the ceiling on the
back side of the panel
(“Primacoustics”).
(Figure 21 – “Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
For the walls of the office space,

acoustic wall panels offer a
sound buffer, which will help to
reduce the spread of noise
throughout the office space. This
will help the employees to focus
and not hear every
conversation around them.
(Figure 22 - “Alphasorb Acoustic Panels”. Acoustical Solutions. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
For the flooring material, an

acoustic carpet tile should be
used to absorb sound, as well
as, provide a durable surface for
commercial applications, and
enhance visual aesthetics.
(Figure 23 - “Scatter Chrome”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)

The new “hybrid” office features a combination of collaborative and

private offices with flexible furniture systems that allow employees to
transition between work areas throughout the day.
(Figure 24 – Rotz, Jesse. “Hybrid Office Design”. 2017. JPEG.)

It isn’t only about the acoustic

control of a space that makes
the office space work for the
employees. It is also about the
layout of the space and how
each employee interacts with
each other. This interaction,
along with the flexibility of
workstations, is what improves
employee productivity levels
and overall job satisfaction.
(Figure 25 – Hoskins, Diane. “Employees Perform Better when They Can Control Their Space”. Harvard
Business Review. Jan. 16. 2014. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
The inclusion of both open-plan

and private offices, along with
flexible office workstations and
acoustic materials, creates a
work environment that
encourages employees to enjoy
their work and complete their
tasks in whatever area they
choose
(Figure 26 - Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines Between Home, Hospitality, and
Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
The office of tomorrow needs to

be more of a social space for
the sharing and discussion of
ideas. Where the agreed work
needs to be carried out is not so
important unless you are tied to
manufacturing something. Task
based environments are the key
(Curtis).
(Figure 27 - Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines Between Home, Hospitality, and
Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)
This freedom that comes with

hybrid office layouts leads to the
satisfaction of the individual
working in these environments
on a daily basis (2017).
Increases productivity
Improves health conditions
Leads to a more successful

company
(Figure 28 – “Modern Office”. Teknion. N.d. Web. Dec. 19. 2017.)

Figures Cited
Figure 1 – “Death in the Afternoon: Keeping Your Energy After Lunch”. Talkroute. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://talkroute.com/death-in-the-afternoon-keeping-your-energy-after-lunch/ >
Figure 2 –““Vintage Photographs of Office Interiors”. Office Museum. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.officemuseum.com/photo_gallery_1930s_1940s.htm >
Figure 3 – “Vintage Office Design”. Flickr. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.flickr.com/photos/adorevintagecom/453881638/in/photostream/lightbox/ >
Figure 4 – ““How the Legal Industry is Evolving”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/topics/collaboration-privacy/a-new-legal-brief/ >
Figure 5 – Mazzina, Alyssa. “Can’t Afford Private Offices? Let Developers go Remote”. Stack Overflow. Apr. 14. 2017. Web. Dec. 20. 2017.
< https://stackoverflow.blog/2017/04/14/cant-afford-private-offices/ >
Figure 6 – “Chretien Multipod Studio’s Office Concept”. Divisare. 2013. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://divisare.com/projects/256607-chretien-multipod-studio-s-office-concept >
Figure 7 - Admin. “5 Top Tips for Choosing Office Space”. Business Magazine. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< http://www.business-magazine.org/5-top-tips-for-choosing-office-space/ >
Figure 8 - Neese, Brian. “The Price of Collaboration: Open Office Environments and Employee Productivity”. Rivier University Online. July 30. 2015. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://online.rivier.edu/open-office-layout-and-employee-productivity/ >
Figure 9 - “Living in a Cubicle: Human-Friendly Open Plan Offices”. Kaspersky.com. Feb. 23. 2015. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/open-plan-office-survival/7700/ >
Figure 10 - Withhoft, Ole. “How to Combine Good Sound and Minimalist Interior Design”. System-Audio. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://system-audio.com/how-to-combine-good-sound-and-minimalist-interior-design/ >
Figure 11 - Biobaku, Samod. “Workplace Diversity: Is Your Office Boring, Fun or Just Annoying?”. Jobberman. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.jobberman.com/blog/workplace-diversity-office-boring-fun/ >

Figures Cited Continued
Figure 12 - “The Office Renaissance, Does the ‘Cool Factor’ Pay Off?”. Hillhouse. May 18. 2015. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< http://hillhouseconstruction.com/2015/05/the-office-renaissance/ >
Figure 13 – Rotz, Jesse. “The Hub Building”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 14 – Rotz, Jesse. “Newcomer Associates”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 15 - Hoskins, Diane. “The Top Four Things Millennials want from the Workplace”. Shift Commission. Nov. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://shiftcommission.work/the-top-four-things-millennials-want-from-the-workplace-c3a9aea4d134 >
Figure 16 - “Prospect Solo Space”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 14. 2017.
< https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/workspaces/collaborative-furniture/prospect-solo-space/ >
Figure 17 - “Brody”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://www.steelcase.com/products/lounge-seating/brody/ >
Figure 18 – “Cubic Pod”. Urban Office. N.d. Web. Dec. 19. 2017.
< https://www.urban-office.com/office/pods/cubic-office-pod.html >
Figure 19 – Rotz, Jesse. “Custom Mobile Desk”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 20 - “Survey Monkey”. Armstrong. N.d. Web. Dec. 20. 2017.
< https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-us/photos-videos/project-gallery/gallery/168375.html#photo306 >
Figure 21 - – “Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
Figure 22 - “Alphasorb Acoustic Panels”. Acoustical Solutions. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://acousticalsolutions.com/product/alphasorb-acoustic-panels/ >
Figure 23 - “Scatter Chrome”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://acoufelt.com/product/scatter-chrome/ >
Figure 24 – Rotz, Jesse. “Hybrid Office Design”. 2017. JPEG.
Figure 25 - Hoskins, Diane. “Employees Perform Better when They Can Control Their Space”. Harvard Business Review. Jan. 16. 2014. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.
< https://hbr.org/2014/01/employees-perform-better-when-they-can-control-their-space >
Figures Cited Continued
Figure 26 & 27 - Grasso, Natalie. “Zendesk San Francisco HQ Blurs Lines Between Home, Hospitality, and Workplace”. Work Design Magazine. Aug. 1. 2016. Web. Dec.
12. 2017.
< https://workdesign.com/2016/08/zendesk-san-francisco-hq-blurs-lines-home-hospitality-workplace/ >
Figure 28 – “Modern Office”. Teknion. N.d. Web. Dec. 19. 2017.
< http://www.teknion.com/eu/inspiration/product-design/modern-office-2 >

Works Cited
Abdul-Ghani A.A., Hashim H., Hashim Z. S., Kamarulzaman N., Saleh A. A. “An
Overview of the Influence of Physical Office Environments towards Employees”. Procedia Engineering. Vol. 20, 2011, pp. 262-268.
Arsenault, Peter J. “The Evolving Workplace Environment”. Architectural Record, vol.
205, no. 8, Aug. 2017, pp. 138-146. EBSCOhost.
“A Short History of the Birth and Growth of the American Office”.
Smithsonianeducation.org. N.d. Web. Nov. 30. 2017.
< http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/carbons/text/birth.html >
Bacevice, Peter, Burow, Liz, & Triebner, Mat. “7 Factors of Great Office Design”.
Harvard Business Review. May 20. 2016. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://hbr.org/2016/05/7-factors-of-great-office-design >
Chusid, Michael. “Public Musings on Acoustical Privacy”. Architectural Record, vol. 189,
no. 9, Sept. 2001, p. 163. EBSCOhost.
“Does Workspace Design Affect Employee Satisfaction?”. Dillmeier Glass Company. Sept. 27. 2017. Web. Dec. 20. 2017.
< https://www.dillmeierglass.com/news/does-workspace-design-affect-employee-satisfaction >
Herbig, B., et al. “Does Office Space Occupation Matter? The Role of the Number of
Persons per Enclosed Office Space, Psychosocial Work Characteristics, and Environmental Satisfaction in the Physical and Mental Health of Employees”. Indoor Air, vol. 26, no. 5, Oct.
2016, pp. 755-767. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/ina. 12263.
“Home Page”. Herman Miller. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.hermanmiller.com/ >
“Home Page”. Steelcase. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.steelcase.com/ >
Hoskins, Diane. “The Top 4 Things Millennials want from the Workplace”. Shift
Commission. Nov. 1. 2016. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://shiftcommission.work/the-top-four-things-millennials-want-from-the-workplace-c3a9aea4d134 >
“Nimbus – Acoustic Ceiling Cloud”. Primacoustic. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.

Works Cited
“NRC Ratings: What is a Noise Reduction Coefficient?”. Audimute. N.d. Web. Dec. 7.
2017.
< https://www.audimute.com/nrc-ratings-noise-reduction-coefficient >
“Open Plan Acoustics”. Sound Management Group. N.d. Web. Nov. 27. 2017.
< https://soundmanagementgroup.com/applications/offices/open-plan-acoustics/ >
Reddy, Chitra. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Closed Office Layout”. Wisestep.com. N.d. Web. Nov. 30. 2017.
< https://content.wisestep.com/advantages-disadvantages-closed-office-layout/ >
Scalco, Daniel. “How Open Office Plans Affect Workplace Productivity”. Business.com.
Feb. 22. 2017. Web. Nov. 25. 2017.
< https://www.business.com/articles/dan-scalco-workplace-productivity/ >
“Scatter Carpet Tile”. Acoufelt. N.d. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://acoufelt.com/product-category/acoufelt-carpet-tile/scatter/ >
Shoemaker, Natalie. “The Importance of Personalized Workspaces”. Big Think. N.d.
Web. Dec. 2. 2017.
< http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/the-importance-of-personalized-workspaces
“Speech Privacy in Office Environments”. Center for the Built Environment. July 18.
2007. Web. Nov. 27. 2017.
< https://www.cbe.berkeley.edu/research/acoustics.htm >
“Technology Firms and the Office of the Future”. The Economist. Apr. 29. 2017. Web.
Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.economist.com/news/business/21721423-their-eccentric-buildings-offer-clues-about-how-people-will-work-technology-firms-and-office >
“The Future of Office Design: Creating the Workplace for Next Generation”. Tableair.
Aug. 11. 2017. Web. Dec. 7. 2017.
< https://www.tableair.com/single-post/2017/08/11/The-Future-of-Office-Design-Creating-the-Workplace-for-Next-Generation >

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AI INTA402 W6 Rotz J FinalPresentation

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IMPROVING THE OFFICE

ENVIRONMENT WITH HYBRID

tremendously because of the distractions related to shared offices. Because the

able to collaborate on team projects? The answer is in the configuration of furniture,

be an understanding of the history of the “office environment”. It is true that enclosed

needed/lacking in these enclosed environments that lead architects to develop the

History of Office Design –

(The development of the “enclosed” office)

creation. These jobs included conductors, engineers, accountants, clerks, carpenters,

communication system was needed to help transport products effectively to other

these companies running smoothly.

employees back in. They eliminated the mundane, routine-centered “Scientific

This foundation of information on the history of office design helps one to

spaces aren’t quite as transparent.

(The effects of the enclosed office on employees)

The following describes the various advantages of enclosed office spaces:

desire to leave the office building.

these work environments. Which, in turn, improves productivity.

is established and encourages employees to do their best work in order to obtain

a higher position or ranking. While starting employees might have a smaller-sized

next type of office that will be discussed.

employee interaction took place.

The Creation of Collaborative Office Layouts –

(The transition from enclosed offices to collaborative offices)

Another arrangement is in the cubicle-style system furniture. This is where partition

lives of the community.

(The response to the collaborative office)

and perceived privacy… examining subjective reports of employees in open-plan offices

have identified irrelevant speech as a factor linked to negative perceptions of the

take away the personal aspect of having their own office.

The Obstacles Faced with Collaborative Offices Explored –

(Privacy in the office environment)

nothing separating each employee’s desk area.

(Figure 2 – “Living in a Cubicle: Human-Friendly Open Plan Offices”. Kaspersky.com.

Feb. 23. 2015. Web. Dec. 12. 2017.)

be exceptionally easy to overhear conversations in that office. Working in

(Personalization in a shared environment)

work. As Natalie Shoemaker stated in her article, “The Importance of Personalized

my office” (par. 9).

Design for a Better Office Environment –

(Interview with Lori Hewitt)

opportunity for resulting increase in both creativity and productivity. Additionally, as

industry evolves and expands, the execution of product/service development relies

heavily on workflow collaboration.”

employees in order to be successful.

The disadvantages of open offices, for Lori, are the following:

because of the distracting factors of surrounding noise in the workplace.

2.) Interruptions – Because the collaborative office encourages interaction and

3.) Interpersonal environment – Some employees may thrive on collaborating with

other colleagues, but others require more independent tasks in order to be

uncomfortable and at a greater disadvantage, performance-wise.

(Interview with Kate Cashdollar)

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She works on commercial and hospitality design as well.

Kate has an Associates Degree in Specialized Technology in Interior Design.

office environments, Kate responded, “Architectural and design firms, furniture

dealers/manufacturers, graphic design companies, fashion industries, and engineering

what you do and where you work, it shows in your work.”

every employee being distracted by the conversation.

(Figure 3 – Rotz, Jesse. “The Hub Building”. 2017. JPEG.)

layouts, since the space has a variety of office design methods.

an office building for an architectural and engineering firm called, “Newcomer

Associates”. The office is located on the ground floor and is a combination of

ultimately hinder employee productivity and overall health/wellbeing. One of the

and employee satisfaction all-around (see figure 4).