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The phone booth makes a comeback (in your open plan office)
hushWall
hushSpot
HushSpot is a modern multi-station hotdesking table, a comprehensively equipped workspace for anyone who does not have a permanently assigned workstation.
hushFree.S
The hushFree.S acoustic booth is designed for individual work, longer videoconferences and telephone calls.
hushFree.M
HushFree.M is an acoustically comfortable booth for the office, which is ideal for face-to-face and hybrid meetings, important conversations requiring privacy, team meetings or creative work.
hushFree.L
The large hushFree.L acoustic booth is an ideal alternative to traditional conference rooms.
hushhybrid
hushphone
The hushPhone booth radically improves the convenience of work for the entire office.
hushwork.sit&stand
Though hushWork is not assigned to anybody in particular, anyone using it can feel like the space was made just for them.
hushwork
HushWork is an independent, mobile acoustic solution created to let you work how you want – your way.
hushmeet
Owing to the closed structure and the acoustic materials used, every participant of a hushMeet.s meeting feels 100% at home.
hushmeet.L
HushMeet.L is a modular acoustic think tank room designed for meetings involving up to 8 people.
hushmeet.S
Owing to the closed structure and the acoustic materials used, every participant of a hushMeet.s meeting feels 100% at home.
hushtwin
We test our booths and pods with cutting edge technologies in professional environments. And we're committed to bringing the best possible solutions to the market!
hushmeet.open
We test our products with cutting edge technologies in professional environments. Our team is committed to bringing the best possible solutions to the market.
hushmeet.open.S
We test our pods and booths with cutting edge technologies in professional environments. And we're committed to bringing the best possible solutions to the market!
greenWalls
hushLock
HushLock is a modular office storage system — an all-in-one freestanding supply cabinet that solves the open space office's storage problem in style.
A11 armchair
Acoustic properties lounge chair with closeable front panel that allows to create own private space, even in bustling environment.

The phone booth makes a comeback (in your open plan office)

  • Posted on: 29 May 2022
  • By: Hushoffice Team

Yes, the ubiquitous phone booth got a new lease on life! Updated with state-of-the-art acoustics, stellar mobility, and robust features, the artifact has been transformed into a staple of the modern workplace: the office phone booth.

The phone booth makes a comeback (in your open plan office)

Office phone booths give teams in bustling open-plan offices the private, quiet space needed for excellent calls

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.
HushPhone. A prototypical phone booth for open space offices.
HushPhone. A prototypical phone booth for open space offices.

The comeback of office phone booth – key takeaways

  • Office phone booths are the flexible solution to one of the open space’s most problematic shortcomings: inadequate or insufficient places to take calls.

  • Phone booths and pods offer impeccable speech intelligibility, top-notch speech privacy, and a sparse environment in which the introverted and/or easily distracted more readily flourish. They also trap “halfologues,” making the floor more productive for everyone.

  • How exactly are office phone booths a cut above old-school payphones? They’re acoustically mastered for clear calls. They’re mobile and compact for terrific flexibility. And they’re fully featured for super convenience (note: phone not included!).

Why is the office phone booth making a comeback?

Acoustic telephone booths. Cell phone pods. Private call cabins. They go by many names but deliver the same benefit: a supreme call space.
Acoustic telephone booths. Cell phone pods. Private call cabins. They go by many names but deliver the same benefit: a supreme call space.

William Gray invented the payphone in 1889, making it possible to take private calls outside of the house. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and we’ve reinventedhis creation, making it possible to take private calls in open space offices.

Does your workplace have enough call spaces? I’m talking enclosed and acoustic, free of background office noise. Spaces that allow the occupant to tune fully into communication, tuning everything else out. If the answer is no, office phone booths or call booths are a solution to consider. They’re like personal, sonically perfect pods for calls

– lends Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Quick recap: 5 big ways the open office fails phone calls.

Lack of call spaces is bad for everyone’s focus. When an employee takes a call right on the floor, their focus is intermittently broken by surrounding activity as they conversate. Simultaneously, their conversation intermittently breaks the focus of coworkers nearby.

1.    Speech intelligibility is compromised in a rowdy office

When an employee takes a call in a boisterous space, they’re likely to struggle at making out the other line’s words, muddied by background office noise. And vice versa. Speech intelligibility is diminished for both ends of the line, often leading to miscommunication and/or frustration.

HushPhone's first-rate, finely stacked layers of acoustic materials ward off open office noise, improving speech intelligibility on calls.
HushPhone’s first-rate, finely stacked layers of acoustic materials ward off open office noise, improving speech intelligibility on calls.

2.    Speech privacy is practically nonexistent in shared spaces

Without call spaces like telephone pods for the office, employees are naturally forced to take their calls on the floor within earshot of peers. This subjects confidential discussions to eavesdropping. People are left feeling like they have no control at work when their matters are regularly broadcast.

For guaranteed speech privacy, look for an acoustic phone booth that meets the Class B standard (or above) per ISO 23351-1:2020.
For guaranteed speech privacy, look for an acoustic phone booth that meets the Class B standard (or above) per ISO 23351-1:2020.

3.    Introverted employees feel self-conscious taking calls on the floor

The typical introvert feels awkward taking calls in public. Their game is impeded by worry about being listened to. Regardless of introversion or extroversion, most people would pick a hushed space over a buzzing one for their call if they had a choice.

4.    High-energy, chaotic settings divert attention from the now

Not to mention, some of us are easily distracted, extra sensitive to stimuli like sights, sounds, and smells. A mere flickering headlight or whirring printing can rob energy, preventing strong presence on important calls.

Acoustic office call booths like hushPhone shield you from interruptive sights, and sounds.
Acoustic office call booths like hushPhone shield you from interruptive sights, and sounds.

5.    Halfalogues are ruinous to concentration

Without proper sound-dampening call spaces, the floor is littered with periodical “halfologues.” That is, the half of the conversation made by someone taking a call nearby. Halfologues are particularly pesky — they’re proven to be more distracting than normal back-and-forths.

Noise made in hushPhone call booth stays in hushPhone.
Noise made in hushPhone stays in hushPhone.

The office phone/call booth is the antidote to all 5 of these problems.

Modern phone booths like hushPhone are a look. Rather than sticking out like a sore thumb, they fit into any contemporary aesthetic, completing it.
Modern phone booths like hushPhone are a look. Rather than sticking out like a sore thumb, they fit into any contemporary aesthetic, completing it.

It gives you what you need. Speech intelligibility. Speech privacy. A sparse environment in which introverted and easily distracted employees alike thrive. Sound-dampening. All in all, phone booths make the workplace work better for the whole team.

Think of call booths for the office as “one small step” in realizing the open space concept.

And “one giant leap” for an entire workforce’s effectiveness on-site. The thing is, calls are frequent. They aren’t going anywhere. They’re a basic driver of business. By bringing in a booth or two, you give your team the support needed for fantastic calls and in turn, bolster a key needle-mover.

Phone booths are primo call spots. They complete the open-space concept without compromising any desired open-ness.
Phone booths are primo call spots. They complete the open-space concept without compromising any desired open-ness.

Like a telephone booth 2.0 — a payphone upgraded.

Just how did we level up the payphone concept? We gave it three necessary upgrades to accommodate the unique needs of open-plan, agile, flex, and hybrid offices.

Upgrade #1: acoustic engineering for optimal speech intelligibility & privacy

Private but not alienating. Glass panels to your right and left in hushPhone foster a felt sense of connection to your team on the floor throughout your call (without the bother of all their noise, of course.).
Private but not alienating. Glass panels to your right and left in hushPhone foster a felt sense of connection to your team on the floor throughout your call (without the bother of all their noise, of course.).

Phone booths block out office clatter, improving speech intelligibility for both ends of the line on every call. They also contain sound made inside, giving the pod user speech privacy while reducing noise on the floor.

No longer will colleagues be subject to others’ “halfologues” (or tempted to listen in).

If private, sensitive, or classified matters are discussed via phone often in your office, we consider phone booths an essential investment for your case.

Upgrade #2: mobile, prefab, & compact for terrific flexibility

Retractable, locking casters and stable leveling feet make hushPhone a beautifully portable pod for agile offices.
Retractable, locking casters and stable leveling feet make hushPhone a beautifully portable pod for agile offices.

HushPhone is about the same size as a traditional telephone booth: about 3 feet by 3 feet. Relatively compact for tight floorplans while generously spacious for the user. Tuck it into small nooks, making efficient use of limited space.

Call pods like hushPhone are prefab, shipping within weeks and assembling within hours.

Sayonara construction messes, stresses, and setbacks. The cherry on top: many acoustic telephone booths are mobile — with the one helping hand, you can easily move hushPhone to a new location in the office without delay.

Upgrade #3: tricked out with all the features for super convenience

Fold-away laptop table. Shelf to set belongings (or lean on throughout your call). Small details make hushPhone's sheer ease-of-use.
Fold-away laptop table. Shelf to set belongings (or lean on throughout your call). Small details make hushPhone’s sheer ease-of-use.

Premium call booths for the office like hushPhone offer robust power outlets, adjustable lighting, and adjustable ventilation. The ventilation should be continual! Mark our words, you want fresh air every second you’re using your pod.

An office telephone booth is like a flawless call space at the ready. When you step inside, two things happen. Motion-activated lights and ventilation fire up. And background commotion is shut out. Booths are exceedingly convenient for this reason alone — you can hop in one within seconds of receiving an unexpected ring, enjoying the right setting for every last call

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

So yes, phone booths are making an epic, unexpected comeback.

They’re quickly becoming a cherished fixture of agile setups. Mobility makes them a future-proof asset — they’re the flexible office furniture needed to adapt to the ever-changing.

The comeback of office phone booth – key takeaways

  • Office phone booths are the flexible solution to one of the open space’s most problematic shortcomings: inadequate or insufficient places to take calls.

  • Phone booths and pods offer impeccable speech intelligibility, top-notch speech privacy, and a sparse environment in which the introverted and/or easily distracted more readily flourish. They also trap “halfologues,” making the floor more productive for everyone.

  • How exactly are office phone booths a cut above old-school payphones? They’re acoustically mastered for clear calls. They’re mobile and compact for terrific flexibility. And they’re fully featured for super convenience (note: phone not included!).

Office phone booth – frequently asked questions

What are office phone booths?

Office phone booths are acoustic freestanding pods that function as model call spaces. High-grade booths like those in the Hushoffice collection are mobile, making a rigid layout flexible.

Are phone booths coming back?

Phone booths are indeed making a comeback! Upgraded with sophisticated acoustics, lovely mobility, and comprehensive features, the old-school coin-op telephone box has been transformed into the modern office phone booth – a private, quiet, freestanding call space for noisy office floors.

What is a phone booth in office?

HushPhone and other phone/call booths in offices are the flexible solution to one of the open plan’s realest drawbacks: lack of call spaces. Booths are noise-free and peaceful, giving employees the ideal atmosphere for connection on each call.

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