Advancing soundscape assessment in open-plan offices: Insights from expert focus groups

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Acoustics
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Open-plan offices aim to boost collaboration but struggle with noise and poor acoustic comfort, impacting employees.
• Existing soundscape assessment methods are insufficient for the unique complexities of open-plan office environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a structured, user-friendly questionnaire for assessing the soundscape in open-plan offices.
• To integrate acoustic and non-acoustic factors into a holistic soundscape evaluation framework.
• To improve understanding of how the sound environment affects employee well-being and productivity in open-plan settings.

Main Methods:

• Expert focus group discussions were conducted to identify key factors for soundscape assessment.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data from focus groups.
• A structured questionnaire was developed, integrating identified acoustic and non-acoustic elements.

Main Results:

• Key factors influencing soundscape perception include individual characteristics, spatial dynamics, and the perceived sound environment.
• Office acoustic metrics, noise control strategies, work performance, and psychosocial conditions are critical considerations.
• The developed questionnaire prioritizes brevity, logical structure, and user-friendly language.

Conclusions:

• Existing soundscape frameworks need adaptation for the specific context of open-plan offices.
• A tailored questionnaire can enhance participant engagement and data quality for practical soundscape assessments.
• Focusing on user experience is crucial for improving acoustic comfort and productivity in open-plan offices.