acoustics

https://workdesign.com/2019/05/good-office-design-includes-soundproofing-for-productivity/

Excerpt from the article;

Sound Reduction Techniques:

• Isolated Soundproof Spaces: You don’t have to soundproof the entire office. Strategically find spaces to provide acoustical privacy for phone calls and meetings. Not every office has an ideal outside to step into to take phone calls and providing this personal space is important for the caller and their co-workers. Products like these booths are perfect for open offices. This provides a quiet space when it’s needed or, lends itself to lively debate without distracting those working directly outside

Sound Absorption Techniques:

• Wall & Ceiling Panels: Wall and ceiling panels help with sound absorption. Whatever outside noise comes through your walls, windows, and doors and whatever noise is generated inside your office will be mitigated by these. There are so many great options these days that won’t sacrifice the aesthetic of the space. 
• Bring in Plants: From a living wall to a few hanging ferns, plants will help absorb noise while adding to the design. Plus, plants clean the air, are shown to help with office stress, and lead to more productivity. “The presence of green leafy plants has also been linked to enhanced creative thinking,” says Sally Augustin Ph.D. in Psychology Today.
• White Noise: Sound masking brings calming or common and continuous noise to the background so distracting noises, like conversations, fade into it. Many employees working in open offices will download apps with noises like “Unreal Ocean” or “Spring Walk” to drown out the voices of their co-workers. Adding white noise machines to shared spaces will relieve the burden from individuals and encourage collaboration rather than isolating headphone usage.