Like many other businesses, our return to in-person work after the height of the pandemic has involved some re-thinking of what the workplace is, how it’s supposed to function, what the attributes of the environment should be, how it supports (or precipitates) a new culture of collaboration, etc.

Realizing that teleconferencing is an indelible part of the workday, having a somewhat acoustically-mitigated space becomes all the more important. But the background buzz of the office is equally important, in aid of fostering awareness and an engaging company culture where everyone can learn from each other.

Based on research that suggests open offices may actually hamper communication, our new system of carrels literally turn their backs on the floor plan in favor of inward focus and a degree of separation. Splitting the difference between furniture and enclosure, these stations are allowing us to ease back into a hybrid work environment, while hedging our bets that distancing may yet rear its ugly head again.

Now that digital platforms like Zoom and Slack have left an indelible mark on how we interact, not only is acoustic mitigation more important than ever, but we also fully appreciate the benefits of getting your butt out of the chair and walking over to talk with someone face-to-face.