Work

Influence of partition layouts on speech privacy in open-plan offices

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Different partition layouts were compared to determine how to increase speech privacy while maintaining communication efficiency between workers in an open-plan office. A preliminary survey was used to determine current usage and conditions of partitions in open-plan offices. The survey results were used to select four partition layouts for testing: face-to-face, parallel, crossed-rod, and orthogonal. A computer modeling was used to test the partition layouts at three different partition heights: 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 m. The modeling results showed that the parallel- and crossed-rod-type layouts offered the best speech privacy at the lowest partition height, but the differences among layouts disappeared as the partition height was increased. Furthermore, an acoustic field experiment was performed using partitions with a 1.5 m height following the ISO 3382-3 standard. The experimental results showed that the face-to-face layout resulted in the least speech privacy. Based on these results, an open-plan office needs to ensure that workers are spaced a sufficient distance apart and that they do not face each other to ensure speech privacy. Additionally, speech privacy should be considered in the design stage of the office space.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37042

Authors: Seung-Min Lee, Chan-Hoon Haan

Institution: Chungbuk National University

Language: English

Topic: Facilities and Workplace Management

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100

Funders: Chungbuk National University, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, National Research Foundation of Korea