John Tierney in the Sydney Morning Herald reports on methods to reduce problems with auditory privacy in open offices. Pink noise is pumped in via speakers to increase the background noise to allow people to have seperate conversations. Other solutions include headphones and going to a private office to have conversations. Other solultions include a low level sound of a river of water.
This lake of aural privacy is a significant problem in areas where confidential conversations occur. It is difficult to remain HIPAA compliant when the conversation can not be kept private. Other problems with high density office environments include personal hygiene. This varies from proper bathing and cleaning to perfumes in the office causing issues with those sensitive to the odors. High density open areas increases the likelihood of theft and reduces the ability of individuals to work uninterupted and concentrate on tasks.
The high density and low cost of materials allows for more people per square foot. It may work in areas where the workers are out of the office for a significant period of time.
Expect this issue to be debated in the future as designers and office workers work to find a workplace environment that is the best functional fit for the tasks to be accomplished.
This lake of aural privacy is a significant problem in areas where confidential conversations occur. It is difficult to remain HIPAA compliant when the conversation can not be kept private. Other problems with high density office environments include personal hygiene. This varies from proper bathing and cleaning to perfumes in the office causing issues with those sensitive to the odors. High density open areas increases the likelihood of theft and reduces the ability of individuals to work uninterupted and concentrate on tasks.
The high density and low cost of materials allows for more people per square foot. It may work in areas where the workers are out of the office for a significant period of time.
Expect this issue to be debated in the future as designers and office workers work to find a workplace environment that is the best functional fit for the tasks to be accomplished.
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| http://www.healthcarebuildingideas.com/article/sound-masking-electronic-technology-acoustical-environment |
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