Partition system acoustics

Acoustics in office partitioning

Architects should be aware that there is often a significant gap between the owner's expectation of a partition system and what is actually delivered. The cost premium for partition systems providing confidential privacy is at least 100% higher than systems providing normal privacy. In this context normal privacy means that conversation is audible but not distracting – confidential privacy means speech is audible but not understood. If noise management between designed spaces is a specific project requirement, an acoustic engineer should be recommended and engaged.