A recent study conducted by researchers at Concordia University has uncovered how various factors influence speech levels in office environments. Published in the journal Science and Technology for the Built Environment, the research highlights the impact of workspace design and communication types on how loudly employees speak.
Rather than relying on controlled laboratory settings, the study observed real-world speech levels in two active offices located in Montreal and Quebec City. Over 70 employees, communicating in either English or French, were monitored using high-precision sound meters during a range of activities. The findings suggest that office design plays a crucial role in determining the volume of speech, which can affect workplace dynamics.
Key Findings on Speech Levels
Researchers recorded speech levels in various office settings, including open-plan spaces, private offices, and meeting rooms. Different types of conversations were assessed, ranging from casual discussions to online meetings. According to Joonhee Lee, an associate professor in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering and the study’s corresponding author, the presence of desk partitions in open-plan offices may lead workers to speak louder than they would in more private settings.
Lee explains, “We found that people speak significantly louder if they are in an open-plan office with partitions separating the workstations. While the partitions are effective at attenuating speech, their full benefit may not be realized, as the workers may feel they are able to talk louder than they otherwise would.” This observation raises questions about the effectiveness of current office designs aimed at reducing noise and maintaining privacy.
The study also revealed that meeting rooms demonstrated consistent speech levels, regardless of their size. Interestingly, teleconferences resulted in slightly higher speaking volumes compared to face-to-face interactions. Language did not appear to significantly influence speech levels, suggesting that the environment plays a larger role than previously understood.
Implications for Office Design
One of the most notable findings is that actual speech levels in offices were generally lower than those established by industry standards. These standards are often derived from laboratory tests conducted in anechoic chambers, where there is no reflective feedback to help individuals gauge their speaking volume. This disparity indicates that existing guidelines for speech privacy and noise control may not accurately reflect the realities of everyday office communication.
Lee emphasizes the importance of background noise in creating an optimal work environment. “A decrease in background noise only amplifies the perception of other kinds of noise,” he states. “Some degree of background noise actually helps people perform better.” This suggests that a completely quiet workspace might not be as beneficial as previously thought.
Overall, the research underscores the need for a reevaluation of office design principles. As workplaces continue to evolve towards open concepts, understanding how various elements influence speech levels will be crucial for improving employee comfort and productivity.
For more information, refer to the study by Rewan Toubar et al., titled “Speech level variation by office environment and communication type,” published in Science and Technology for the Built Environment in 2025. The study can be accessed through DOI: 10.1080/23744731.2025.2551480.
