Case study: Innovative techniques for improving speech privacy in open plan offices.

An acoustical engineering study was conducted to develop renovations to improve the speech privacy in an open plan office. The existing open plan configuration was to be maintained in this renovation, constraining the design effort. Therefore, several innovative designs were added to more traditional techniques. Articulation index (AI) test data, measured both before and after the renovation installation, were used to assess the improvements in speech privacy between several areas in the subject office space. The renovations included the installation of absorbent panels on the ceiling and walls, partition toppers for the conference rooms, aerogel banners, door seals, and a sound masking system. Measured speech privacy was significantly increased in the renovated office areas.