WELL Building Tip #7: Optimize Sound for People to Focus and Connect

Oculus Inc.’s WELL AP, Joanne Fields, gives her perspective on the WELL Building principles with practical wellness-driven design tips.

In this post, Joanne shares the importance of sound in space and why acoustic design has become an increasingly important consideration in public, private, and shared spaces:

The sounds we experience throughout the day can have a significant impact on our ability to focus, communicate, and perform at our best.

One of the key concepts within the WELL Building Standard is Sound, creating environments that support occupant comfort through thoughtful acoustic design and noise management strategies.

As a WELL AP at Oculus Inc., I work alongside our clients, engineers, and specialty consultants to help create spaces that balance collaboration, concentration, and privacy. While architects do not control every aspect of a building’s acoustic performance, we play an important role in coordinating design solutions that support a positive occupant experience.

Oculus approaches acoustics as an integral part of the user experience. Some examples include:

• Planning space adjacencies to minimize noise conflicts
• Incorporating sound-absorbing finishes and materials
• Providing a variety of work settings to support different tasks and work styles
• Coordinating with engineers and acoustical consultants to address background noise and speech privacy
• Designing enclosed spaces for focused work, confidential conversations, and virtual meetings

Poor acoustic environments can contribute to distraction, stress, and reduced productivity. By thoughtfully considering sound during the design process, project teams can create workplaces that better support concentration, communication, and overall well-being.

Successful acoustic design is the result of collaboration between architects, engineers, consultants, and clients, working together to create environments where people can thrive.

Follow along as I continue sharing WELL Building concepts and practical ways they can be incorporated into workplace design.

If you are interested in learning more about integrating the WELL Building concepts into your environment, email Joanne Fields at joannef@oculusinc.com.