Office pods have emerged as a popular solution for workplaces, offering a flexible and efficient way to create dedicated spaces for various work activities. This article explores the benefits of office pods, their applications, and key considerations for businesses.
Office pods are self-contained, acoustically treated rooms designed for individuals or teams to use within the office environment. Pod structures comprise modular components with sound-absorbing materials, glass, lighting, air ventilation, useful furniture, and add-on tools to support your company's needs. What's more, due to the pod's modular structure, it can be easily relocated should you move premises, unlike fixed constructed rooms.
These acoustic pods provide your employees with an inviting, easy-to-access quiet space that can be located very close to the core office space, such as next to a large desk setup. This provides users with quiet and private space for a variety of office-based tasks, addressing the needs of today's dynamic workforce.
The most common pod types include:
- Phone Booths, Video Conferencing Pods, and Small Meeting Pods: Smaller single-user or dual-user pods designed for private phone calls, video calls, or short, one-to-one meetings.
- Small Office Pods: Slightly larger than the small meeting pods, these rooms (for up to four users) offer more space to move around and are suitable for individual work, such as manager/CEO spaces, small team meetings, or presenting via video calls.
- Meeting/Conference Pods: The largest pods, accommodating larger groups for formal meetings, training, and presentations.
(Image above: Teepee 4 Phone Booth)
The most common uses for office pods are:
- Focused Work: Providing a distraction-free space for employees to concentrate on tasks.
- Private Conversations: Offering a confidential room for phone calls or sensitive discussions, without using a meeting room or leaving the workspace altogether.
- Video Conferencing: Creating a professional and quiet environment for online meetings.
- Collaboration: Facilitating group discussions, training, and brainstorming sessions.
- Breakout Areas: Offering a quiet retreat for employees to relax or recharge, close to the core of the office.
(Image above: Calma Z video conferencing booth)
Bespoke office pod options are also available, and they have been successfully adapted for factory use, music studio rooms, health services, interview rooms, and prayer rooms.
Determining the optimal number and type of pods will vary depending on the company's and employees' needs and additional factors such as:
- Office Size: Larger offices will naturally require more pods.
- Employee Count: The number of employees directly influences demand for private spaces.
- Work Style: A predominantly quiet and confidential company, or hybrid or activity-based workspace, will likely need more pods.
- Budget: The cost of pods is a key consideration in relation to the work carried out and compared against the cost and downtime of constructing fixed offices and meeting rooms.
As a guide to how many pods your company requires, a pre-pandemic guide suggests one phone room for every 15 employees, one small meeting room for every 20 employees, and one medium-sized meeting room for every 20 employees. Post-pandemic, this number has increased due to hybrid workers' requirements, with the need for more available spaces for focused tasks and overall user experience. Framery in Finland (2024) recommends the following quantity of employee pods.
(Source: Framery, Finland)
Obviously, one size does not fit all, but when multiple rooms are required, office pods are a value-for-money investment.
One of the key advantages of office pods is their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional construction. Building permanent meeting rooms can be expensive and disruptive, requiring significant time and resources. Pods, on the other hand, can be installed quickly and easily, minimising disruption to the workplace. Large meeting pods with their demountable modular structure and smaller pods with built-in roller castors, allows them to be relocated within the workplace or even moved to a new premises if required, offering greater flexibility and long-term value.
(Image above: Hush Large Modular Pod)
Safety is a crucial consideration when choosing office pods. Reputable manufacturers prioritise safety features such as:
- Ventilation: Adequate airflow is essential. Many pods incorporate ventilation systems to ensure a constant supply of fresh air. Models, like the Air3 pod, feature openable roofs for enhanced ventilation, with lower power consumption.
- Fire Safety: Depending on your building and regulations, openable pod roofs allow ceiling-mounted fire suppression systems to function effectively. Visibility into the pod is also important for fire officers; with most office pods including at least one glass side, there will need to be an easy-to-use vision gap in any applied manifestation.
- Accessibility: Consider accessibility requirements and ensure that pods are accessible to all employees.
(Image Framery 4 Accessibile Pod)
Office pods can be customised to enhance the user experience. Options include:
- Acoustic Levels: Choose pods with appropriate sound insulation for your needs, to minimise noise distractions for both the user and external passers-by.
- Lighting: Integrate adjustable lighting to create a comfortable and productive environment. Occupancy sensors monitor movement within, turning off after a period of time for energy saving.
- Furniture: From meeting tables and chairs, desks and visitor seating, to sofas for relaxation, there are plenty of options.
- Technology Integration: Include wall-mounted whiteboards, TV mounts for presentations or video conferencing, and other tools to facilitate collaboration.
- Biophilic Design: Incorporate biophilic elements, such as planter walls, to create a more natural and inviting space. External biophilic planter walls can add a touch of nature to the office environment.
(Above: Air3 Office Pod)
Office pods offer a versatile and cost-effective solution for creating flexible and focused workspaces. By addressing the needs of modern workers, particularly those in hybrid roles, pods can enhance productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. Careful consideration of factors such as size, type, safety, and customisation options will ensure that your office pods contribute to a thriving workplace environment.