About 50% of employees in Swiss open-plan offices find that noise disrupts their concentration. The average noise level is often above 70 dB(A)—but focused work requires levels below 45 dB(A). This page explains how to bridge that gap.
Working side by side is wonderful. Constantly overhearing one another, less so.
Three Ways to Create a Quieter Office
Sound insulation
Keep the noise out
Walls, doors, windows, and office pods reduce sound transmission between rooms.
Sound absorption
Break up the echo in the room
Ceiling panels, wall absorbers, and acoustic panels prevent sound from being reflected off glass and concrete.
Office Pods
A retreat as a comprehensive solution
ISO 23351-1 Class A for maximum speech privacy — ready for immediate use, no building permit required.
Noise in the office is more than just a matter of comfort. Loud phone calls from colleagues, clattering keyboards, the hum of the air conditioner—this constant acoustic stress leads to exhaustion, mistakes, and ultimately, sick leave. In this guide, we’ll show you how to improve room acoustics with targeted soundproofing in the office while promoting your team’s health and motivation.
What Soundproofing in the Office Actually Means
Office soundproofing encompasses all structural and design measures that reduce noise or minimize its reflection within a room. There are two distinct disciplines:
- Sound insulation: The physical barrier that keeps noise out—or keeps it in. Classic examples: walls, doors, and windows.
- Sound absorption: Optimizing room acoustics using materials that absorb sound waves rather than reflecting them off concrete or glass.
For most Swiss offices, sound absorption is the biggest challenge. Modern office spaces rely on hard materials such as glass and concrete—this creates an echo effect that can only be mitigated with targeted acoustic solutions.
Why Soundproofing in the Office Isn't Just About Comfort
Acoustics in the workplace is an economic issue. Studies directly link poor acoustics to increased stress levels and health risks, including cardiovascular disease. People who are constantly struggling to hear over background noise tire more quickly and need more breaks.
Productivity and error rate
Acoustic overload is reflected in key performance indicators. The error rate for complex tasks increases significantly when concentration is interrupted by sudden noises. After a disruption, it takes several minutes to return to deep work mode. Over the course of a day, companies lose valuable hours of net working time as a result.
Employer Branding and Employee Retention
When it comes to the skills shortage, the office serves as a showcase. A quiet, aesthetically pleasing work environment signals that employees are valued. Employees who are accustomed to complete silence while working from home expect a similar level of quality in the office. Soundproofing in the office thus becomes a key factor in employee retention and employer branding. Anyone looking to attract top talent today needs an environment where focused work is possible without headaches.
Acoustics vs. Sound Insulation — The Difference That Saves Money
A common planning mistake: confusing insulation with sound absorption. Many companies try to seal off rooms with additional walls, when the real problem is the echo within the room. In many Swiss offices, sound absorption is the more effective solution.
How sound absorbers work
Sound absorbers are made of open-cell materials. Sound waves penetrate them, and their kinetic energy is converted into heat energy through friction. The result: less reverberation. Without absorbers, sound waves strike glass or concrete and are reflected almost 100%—artificially increasing the noise level.
The 30-to-50 Percent Rule
A single acoustic panel isn't enough. A tried-and-true rule of thumb: 30 to 50% of the ceiling and wall surfaces should be covered with sound-absorbing materials. Only then will the room acoustics be sufficiently controlled so that conversations at the next table no longer cause a disturbance.
The most important standards: DIN 4109, VDI 2569, and ISO 23351-1
Professional soundproofing requires clear standards. DIN 4109 serves as the foundation for soundproofing in building construction and defines minimum requirements for building components. VDI 2569 supplements it with acoustic quality classes (A through C) for office spaces. For office pods, ISO 23351-1 is the industry standard—it measures speech intelligibility to the outside, which is crucial for confidential conversations.
Guideline values for sound pressure level
Different activities require different target values:
- 35–45 dB: Required for highly concentrated mental work
- Below 55 dB: Acceptable for general office work
For comparison: A normal conversation is around 60 dB. In open-plan offices, noise levels often exceed 70 dB without protective measures.
Strategic Measures to Promote a Calmer Work Environment
Effective acoustic design combines several elements.
Ceiling panels and wall absorbers
The ceiling is the largest free reflective surface in the room. Suspended ceiling panels and acoustic grid ceilings are the most effective way to immediately improve the room’s acoustics. Wall absorbers and acoustic panels complement this—they prevent direct reflections at eye level and can often be printed with custom designs.
Specialized acoustic elements, such as wall absorbers and acoustic panels, prevent reflections at eye level.
Zoning in Open Space
In modern offices, it is essential to separate focus zones from communication zones. Furniture and partitions create acoustic islands. Noisy areas such as the break room or printer stations should be physically and acoustically separated from desk workstations.
What else helps in detail
Simple measures can reduce background noise: felt pads for laptops, quiet keyboards, and large-leaved plants that break up sound waves. Textiles such as carpeting and heavy curtains also help dampen noise.
Office pods as a comprehensive solution for open-plan offices
When structural changes are too expensive or inflexible, room-in-room systems come into play. Office pods provide a ready-to-use private space in the office for phone calls or focused work without disrupting the open layout of the office.
Learn more about Shelter Office Pods for the modern open-plan office →
Solid Swiss ash wood as a construction material
At Shelter Office, we build our office pods from 100% solid ash wood sourced from the Jura region of western Switzerland. Solid wood has unique acoustic properties —it absorbs sound within its cellular structure rather than reflecting it. At the same time, it influences the indoor climate in the Office Pod and its tactile feel. The wood is sourced, processed, and assembled exclusively in Switzerland; over 80% of our value creation takes place within a 100-kilometer radius of Zurich.
ISO 23351-1 Class A and Speech Privacy
The key quality feature is certification to ISO 23351-1. Our Office Pods achieve the highest level: ISO 23351-1 Class A. This means maximum reduction of speech intelligibility to the outside. What is discussed in the Office Pod stays in the Office Pod. This speech privacy is indispensable, especially for confidential HR, client, or personnel meetings —and is often a legal requirement in regulated industries.
Flexibility thanks to plug-and-play
Office Pods require neither a building permit nor any modifications to the ventilation system. Just set them up, plug them in, and you’re done. When you move, simply take the Office Pods with you—no dismantling, no loss of investment.
How to Plan Your Acoustic Design for 2026
Effective soundproofing in the office starts with a systematic analysis.
- Current Situation Analysis: Identify the main sources of noise. Phone calls? Electrical equipment? Footfall noise from above? A quick sound measurement on each floor will reveal the hot spots.
- Choosing materials: Prioritize sustainability. By 2026, recyclable products and durable materials such as solid wood will be mandatory. We also offer buyback programs to maximize resource efficiency.
- Cost-benefit analysis: Soundproofing pays for itself quickly. Even a small reduction in sick leave due to lower stress levels covers the investment costs. Studies show that team performance increases by up to 17% in environments with good acoustics.
Maximum Focus with Shelter Office Pods
Shelter Office is the Swiss partner for companies that refuse to compromise on quality and sustainability. Our office pods are 100% Swiss-made: the wood comes from the Jura region in western Switzerland, and the manufacturing and final assembly take place in Switzerland, with over 80% of the value added within a 100-kilometer radius of Zurich.
Here is an overview of the models and terms:
| Model | capacity | Rental price (starting at) | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 Person | CHF 172 per month | Phone calls, video calls, individual work |
| Double | 2 People | CHF 259 per month | One-on-one meetings, confidential discussions |
| Team | 4 People | CHF 282 per month | Complete meeting room replacement |
Prices are based on a 5-year lease term. Monthly or annual terms are available upon request.
Every office has unique needs. We offer direct purchase, flexible leasing options, and a buyback option—allowing you to maintain financial flexibility while securing premium Swiss quality.
Next step
Noise Measurement in the Office — Free and On-Site
We analyze the acoustic conditions at your workstations and propose a specific configuration of office pods, sound absorbers, and organizational measures. No obligation, in 60–90 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soundproofing in the Office
What is the quickest way to improve soundproofing in the office?
A combination of organizational measures and mobile solutions is the quickest way to achieve results. Office pods for phone calls immediately eliminate the biggest source of noise from the room. At the same time, acoustic partitions or ceiling panels can be installed without any structural modifications—this reduces the background noise level by 3 to 8 dB.
What are the noise control standards for offices in Switzerland?
In addition to international standards such as ISO 23351-1 for office pods, Swiss construction planning and architectural firms follow DIN 4109 and VDI 2569. These standards define the required sound insulation and acoustic quality classes for offices.
Is investing in soundproofing really worth it?
Studies show that good acoustics can improve concentration by up to 22% and significantly increase employee satisfaction. The costs are usually recouped within a few years through increased productivity and fewer absences due to illness.
Why is solid wood better than plastic for soundproofing?
Solid wood, such as our Swiss ash, has a natural cellular structure that refracts and absorbs sound waves differently than smooth plastics or metal. It also helps create a healthy indoor environment—soundproofing with ergonomic and sustainable benefits.
Can soundproofing be retrofitted in an office?
In fact, that’s usually the case. Most modern acoustic solutions—wall panels, ceiling panels, freestanding office pods—are designed specifically to be installed in existing spaces without having to tear down walls.
Do we need a building permit for an office pod?
No. Office pods are considered furniture—freestanding, demountable, and requiring no structural modifications. No permit is required anywhere in Switzerland.
Sources: Taylor & Francis, *Noise and Cognitive Performance: Mapping the Research Landscape* (2025); Sage, *Self-Rated Health Implications of Open-Plan Office Noise* (2023); ISO 23351-1 (Acoustics — Measurement of speech level reduction of furniture ensembles and enclosures).
