One of the newest trends in small business office space is the coworking concept. Coworking spaces appeal to many small business startups and entrepreneurs who value having a dedicated workspace other than a home office or coffee shop but who also understand that keeping overhead expenses low is vital for a small business. Members typically pay a monthly membership fee in return for use of facilities including work areas, meeting rooms, and quiet areas of refuge to take phone calls.
Typical open offices are active spaces, and many people have difficulty concentrating in these noisy spaces. Many coworking spaces provide “privacy pods,” or partially open seating areas to focus and have quiet conversation. Proper acoustic design and material selection for privacy pods is essential, and also a golden opportunity for collaboration between architects, interior designers, and acousticians.
Providing quiet areas where members can take private phone calls is also essential. These areas must be fully enclosed to ensure adequate speech privacy, and so proper sound isolation design is key.