Advancing soundscape assessment in open-plan offices: Insights from expert focus groups

Abstract

Open-plan offices are designed to foster collaboration but often face challenges related to noise and acoustic comfort, which can affect employee well-being and productivity. The soundscape concept offers a holistic approach to assessing and improving these environments, yet existing methods often fall short of capturing the complexity of open-plan offices. This study addresses this gap by developing a structured questionnaire tailored for open-plan offices, integrating acoustic and non-acoustic factors. Expert focus group discussions were conducted to identify and expand upon key factors influencing soundscape assessments, building on insights from prior research. Thematic analysis revealed critical considerations, including individual characteristics, spatial dynamics, sound environment perception, office acoustic metrics, noise control, work performance, and psychosocial conditions. To effectively incorporate these elements, the study recommends adapting existing soundscape frameworks to the specific context of open-plan offices. The proposed approach prioritises brevity, logical structure, and user-friendly language to enhance participant engagement and data quality, enabling practical and insightful assessments centred on user experience.