The Rise of Quiet Zones:
Designing for Focus in Open-Plan Offices
Open-plan workspaces were created with the intention of eliminating silos, cubicles, and promoting collaboration at the workplace. However, a drawback pervasive at the core of open-plan offices is the excess noise and interruptions present. It became worse with the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by remote working and hybrid models as employees continue returning to the office. One underlying need has become critical and apparent – focus. Not spaces with desks and meeting rooms, but purpose-built silence and quiet zones for doing deep work cut off from distractions.
That is why quiet zones in office designs are emerging as an essential consideration for designers. Such spaces are aiding modern offices to become more balanced and productive at work, especially in high-performance contexts where strain on concentration is required.
Why is Focus Important for Workplace Productivity?
Disruptions like instant messaging alerts, ringing phones and idle chatter can greatly impact productivity. Studies show that after an interruption task-switching, focus is lost, and it takes approximately over 20 minutes to reestablish it. This phenomenon, multiplied over the workday has extremely adverse effects, for teams even more so.
Tailored work environments are now a fundamental necessity rather than a perk. A careful reimagining of how we work means that employees need a blend of different options: comfortable spaces to switch from quiet to collaborative modes. For this reason, many employers now prefer to add quiet zones within the open plan grid.
What Makes a Quiet Zone Effective?
Quiet zones are approached at SLS Designs with a blend of design intuition and calculated practicality. As a reliable Design and Build Company in India, we understand that it is not only about soundproofing a corner. It is about comprehensively analysing how your team operates and constructing solutions around it.
Here’s what we focus on:
- Segregating control zones away from busy touchpoints such as entrances or breakout zones.
- Soundproofing with acoustic shields, soft materials, and soundproof partitions.
- Adjustable fittings like private pods for focused work, small focus booths, and even miniature libraries.
- Soothing lights and greenery help to support relaxation and well-being.
Like all strategies, this one also has one objective: enable effortless zoning in out of various levels of focus without total separation from the office.
Gurgaon Offices are Leading the Change
Our interior company located in Gurgaon has provided services to both expanding startups and large corporates. The feedback we get is the same: teams want spaces that are beautifully designed and fully functional. Quiet zones are now standard in many new layouts, rather than being an afterthought.
As one of the best interior design companies in India, we offer end-to-end solutions—from space planning to handover. We foster an extendable relationship, providing annual maintenance contracts and post-occupancy support. This is essential for well-designed workspaces. The efforts should truly endure long after the design process.
Quiet Zones are a Smarter Investment
Our work goes beyond just constructing spaces. Our focus is towards building experiences that help an individual perform their best. Each layout is designed with extreme focus, whether it is a standalone office in Gurgaon or a pan-India rollout. We command respect from our clients for our adherence to deadlines and industry standards, our transparent and straightforward approach, and their assurance when engaging with a reliable corporate interiors design expert.
The impact of quiet zones is not only the absence of sound; it enables precision thinking. It provides the required mental landscape to envision concepts, devise solutions, and advance. That is what focus-first design provides, and that is what top-tier offices are adopting.
Want to add quiet zones to your office layout?
We can create an optimum design for your people, your workflow, and your organisation’s growth.