3 must-have features — acoustic office work pods

TL;DR

1. Mobility

2. Professional acoustics

3. High-caliber air ventilation system

1.   Mobility

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change,” said Charles Darwin. A timely insight being that we’re living in an era of unprecedented, accelerated change. To be successful over the long haul, we must be adaptive.

Pods are mobile office furniture — they help you adapt to the unexpected.

Think of them as a long-term asset that gives you ongoing flexibility. They’re mobile, some modular. Rather than locking you into a fixed layout, pods allow you to tweak the office set up in time, giving you options.

A modular pod like the hushMeet.L conference booth has a particularly long useful life because it can be expanded or sized down, adjusted to meet new needs as quickly as they arise

– says Robert Korpacki, Product Manager, Hushoffice.

Flexibility makes you more future-proof.

To get the most bang for your buck, look for pods that are easy to assemble, easy to move around the office, easy to disassemble, and easy to relocate to new buildings.

The critical mobility feature: either casters or “space beneath for a pallet jacket.”

Office pod manufacturers like us make their pods mobile by one of two means: 1. lockable casters or 2. a removable front panel at the base of the product allowing a pallet jack/truck to fit for relocation.

Office work pods set on casters like hushPhone for calls and hushHybrid for videoconferences can be rolled around the office by two employees. As you’re comparing such movable pods, be sure to zero in on options with leveling feet for necessary stability

– adds Robert Korpacki, Product Manager, Hushoffice.

Pro tip: get pods that are easy to assemble and disassemble, too.

Pods that are a breeze to break down and set back up will take a considerable edge off future office moves. They’ll allow you to set up a completely functional space within half a day, getting back to work straight away.

Portable office work pods are an economical alternative to construction.

They eliminate the need for costly, time-intensive build-outs and renovations. They make quick layout modifications possible. And because they come with you through every move, you’ll never be forced to cut your losses, leaving expensive infrastructure behind.

How long does it take to assemble a Hushoffice (or similar) pod?

With the help of trained installation personnel, Hushoffice pods install within hours.

2.   Professional acoustics

Office pods simply must be acoustic to bring optimal function to the floorplan. They should be engineered to Class B standard or above per ISO 23351-1:2020. They should be comfortably quiet. And they should trap all sound made inside, reducing the amount of noise on the floor.

For guaranteed speech privacy, pick a pod built to the Class B standard (or above) per ISO 23351.

Pods rated Class B and above per ISO 23351-1:2020 give you sure speech privacy.

Why is Class B the safe bet?

By and large, Class B pods are more affordable than most Class A pods. They’re typically lighter, too, giving you more relocation ease. And they’re pleasantly quiet, while Class A pods can actually feel weirdly noiseless (if placed on a relatively silent floor). Read more.

What is speech privacy anyway?

Speech privacy is just what you’d think: the soundproofing of speech for privacy’s sake. When an acoustic pod or similar fix gives you speech privacy, peers nearby (i.e., outside the pod) can’t understand your conversation.

Speech privacy pods are THE spot for classified or sensitive discussions.

Did you know that intelligible speech is one of the most distracting types of office noise? By containing it in a speech privacy pod, you eliminate one of the worst forms of sound from the floor, making the workplace more productive for everyone.

Want the immersive user experience? Check it out: What does privacy actually feel like in an office pod?

3.   High-caliber air ventilation system

When it comes to office pods, adequate ventilation is non-negotiable. The air in a pod should be clean and fresh at all times during use

– lends Robert Korpacki, Product Manager, Hushoffice.

Must-have air quality feature #1: a continual ventilation system

As long as the pod’s ventilation system runs constantly, its interior will be kept crisp with new air from the office space the entire time you’re using the pod.

Must-have air quality feature #2: adjustable fan speed (for employee comfort)

Adjustable ventilation allows employees to fix the pod’s settings per their preferences.

Must-have air quality feature #4: antivirus coating

An antivirus coating will kill germs at the source, giving your team added peace of mind. Read about Hush’s antivirus coating here.

Have specific questions about office work pods? Contact our team!

TL;DR — the 3 key features to look for in acoustic office work pods

1. Mobility

2. Professional acoustics

3. High-caliber air ventilation system

Office work pods – frequently asked questions

What is a pod in the workplace?

Workplace pods are mobile, fully-featured, perfectly acoustic work and meeting spaces. See hushWork.sit&stand — an exemplar one-person pod for concentrative work. Or hushMeet — an exemplar 4-person pod for team meetings. Such pods give employees momentary separation from the floor’s action in a relaxed atmosphere.

What about the sustainability of Hushoffice pods?

Learn more about the sustainability of Hushoffice pods here. You’ll get a lay of the land — namely, what credentials to look for as you seek out the most eco-friendly pod.