In a 2023 study, it was reported that 58% of employees still consider their home environment to be superior for focused work, with more than a quarter citing office noise and inability to focus as a reason to work from home.
The importance of quiet spaces cannot be overstated. Not only are they essential for focus and productivity, they also help to reduce workplace stress and improve overall mental health and wellbeing.
With this in mind, we’ll take you through the reasons why quiet spaces are critical for businesses working in a shared workspace or open-plan office and how we, at MYO, have incorporated quiet zones into our workspace designs.
Why are quiet spaces important?
In open-plan offices or shared workspaces, finding a quiet space to work can be tricky. A quiet zone for working, collaborating, or communicating is essential for creating a positive working environment and motivated workforce.
Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons why below.
Focus and productivity
Busy offices can typically be noisy and disruptive which isn’t conducive for focusing. Therefore, it’s crucial to have quiet spaces in the office where employees can complete work that requires deep thinking or focus without distractions. This in turn helps to increase productivity within the team.
Reduced stress
Did you know that loud noises and interruptions can lead to higher stress levels? A 2019 noise and wellbeing at work survey indicated that 65% of employees surveyed reported that workplace noise impacted their ability to complete work in an accurate and timely manner.
Quiet spaces offer employees an escape from the loudness to decompress and complete focus work in peace.
Support for different styles of working
Everyone works differently – some employees thrive in a collaborative space, while others prefer to work in a quiet environment. Acknowledging this, and providing adequate spaces that support different working styles, will ensure your employees are productive and happy.
Communication
Sometimes you may be required to undertake a confidential or sensitive conversation with an employee, and quiet spaces are the perfect place for these conversations to take place. It’s important, therefore, that quiet areas are situated in your workspace and available for use when needed.
Collaboration
If team members require a private area or room to collaborate and work on projects together, quiet spaces can be a great solution because the reduction in noise or disruption can help to increase productivity and focus.
How we’ve incorporated quiet spaces into our design
Whilst our mission is to design and create office spaces for you, our customers, we also pay close attention to the details that will enhance your employees’ experience.
We are proud to offer private, flexible office spaces that can accommodate anywhere from six to 100 employees. This provides a great opportunity for you to adapt and personalise your space to fit the needs of your business and culture.
We’ve also created a range of tranquil, private communal spaces that can be used for confidential conversations or meetings, focus time, or decompression. Our New Street Square, Piccadilly, and St Paul’s locations have upgraded acoustics to reduce noise stress and support concentration, which will ultimately lead to better quality of work and improved mental health.
Find peace of mind at MYO
At MYO, we thoughtfully and carefully design our office spaces to promote collaboration, productivity, and wellbeing, which is why quiet spaces are featured in all of our locations.
If you’re ready to make the move to a shared workspace, get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your requirements and book a tour. Alternatively, download a brochure to learn all the details about our locations. And, don’t forget to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends by visiting our blog.
