Office Depot wanted to create the best open plan working environment for staff in a call centre handling in excess of 10,000 calls every day.
This international company is the UK’s leading retailer in office products, and customers include many of the UK’s best-known companies across all market sectors as well as central and local government, utilities, educational institutions and the NHS.
The focus of their 4,300 square-metre office development was to create the best working environment for staff. Aesthetic aspects included constructing the building from American eco-friendly Kalwall bricks that allow natural light into the building and retain heat. Office Depot also understood the importance of the acoustic environment.
Acoustic Comfort recommended the use of Screen Solutions’ 1600 high desk screens and the LogiSon Sound Masking system throughout the building to aid concentration in the open plan areas and speech privacy in the meeting rooms. This solution was essential in the open plan call centre, where in excess of 10,000 calls are handled every day.
The system comprised 252 speakers that were fitted in the ceiling voids over the three floors of the building, and by incorporating the PA module announcements can be made to the entire building or to any specific area.
As well as benefiting staff by maintaining a comfortable level of ambient sound, the environment improves their customers’ experience.
