VANK office pods, launched in 2017 as a form of mini-architecture providing space for conversations, meetings that require a certain degree of privacy, were designed to respond to the insight of striving for a balance between personal space and teamwork. The changes and trends emerging over the past few years — including the pandemic — have given rise to a number of features and applications of these solutions, which can be easily dismantled and relocated, and come in the form of either mobile or freestanding rooms. Designed and continuously refined with flexibility and multifunctionality in mind, these sound-absorbing office privacy booths can adapt to different use scenarios. In addition to the original concept, 15 new versions of these soundproof booths are being designed to respond to the needs of 2024.
- Video conferencing booth
- Focus room
- Room for remote training sessions
- Hybrid working room
- Phone booth
- Room for confidential business meetings
- HR interview space
- Brainstorming room
- Recording studio
- Relaxation area
- Visual communication facility
- Retreat at events
- Manufacturing manager’s room
- Traveller’s quiet room
- Study room
1. Video conferencing booth
Video conferencing can sometimes be hampered by ambient noise and excess stimuli, echo, poor sound quality, speech distortion, and the temptation to multitask.
Good acoustics can significantly improve the comfort and efficiency of any meeting. The VANK soundproof workstations feature a unique layered structure with high acoustic performance (Rw = 45 dB), which reduces reverberation inside and outside the pod. These privacy booths also eliminate the problem of noise in offices or hotel lobbies, keeping every video call confidential. They are soundproof office pods that let you focus on the online meeting you take part in, enabling you to effectively build relationships and boast a professional business image through high-quality communication. Such acoustic boxes, which can be furnished as per individual requirements, perfectly frame the user and provide a minimalist backdrop so that the focus stays on the speaker.
New trends in the work environment have paved the way for user-friendly changes in the area of technology. VANK multi-user video conferencing booths can be fitted with a ceiling or corner mount for a screen — which can be adjusted in terms of height, tilt, and swivel. When it comes to 1-person privacy booths, we have incorporated a new table with pneumatic height adjustment for improved laptop use.
2. Focus room
Personal offices — or soundproof workstations which do not require fixed walls and glazing, enable employees to focus on tasks without external distractions, which lets them take advantage of so-called deep or focus work. Such soundproof booths will work especially well in organisations that require analytical and creative thinking. An ergonomic desk, office chair, magnetic whiteboard, and access to technology let the user work efficiently, eliminating the frustration coming from not being able to finish a task to a high standard and minimising the risk of mistakes.
3. Room for remote training sessions
Remote working has prompted some to learn digital skills, and others to earn money selling online training. As a result, education in areas such as machine learning, data science, programming, and graphic design has become both necessary and popular. These soundproof booths can be adapted for online training or workshops, offering the user all the relevant infrastructure and technology.
Magnetic whiteboards, TV monitor mounts, and connection panels can greatly enhance the learning experience during educational sessions, regardless of the number of participants. And the acoustics inside translate into high-quality training recordings. An enclosed bookable soundproof pod will make it easier to focus and participate in any training sessions whenever they take place.
4. Hybrid working room
A meeting room with a booking system in companies that have adopted a hybrid working model is a solution that many people take advantage of. Such a soundproof booth features a mobile laptop table — known as a hot desk — and a chair on castors. It is used on demand and as necessary by sales, marketing or editorial staff visiting their HQ. The reduced speech levels inside and acoustic panels outside the VANK office pods translate into a boost in the levels of concentration and well-being of those outside the pods, in the open plan around.
5. Phone booth
One-person phone booths take up little space and can be set up in any public space. They are designed for quick, brief phone calls — in both personal or business matters — and feature motion-sensor-activated lighting and ventilation systems, a phone holder, and a shelf with a connection panel. And to improve the laptop use and video call experience, VANK has now incorporated a new pneumatic height-adjustable table.
6. Room for confidential business meetings
The durability of the materials, the quality of the connections, and the precision of the assembly of VANK’s soundproof pods translate into significant reduction in speech sound level at D s.a = 30.7 dB, ranking these solutions in Class A for this type of product. This makes all important, confidential information regarding, say, expansion, innovation, or financial performance stay inside without being overheard and misused.
As of 2024, these meetings pods can be furnished with Kvadrat curtains, which further protect against unwanted prying eyes and lip reading. This solution is perfect for organisations where information security and privacy really matters.
7. HR interview space
The VANK mobile acoustic box is a great way for companies to improve their employer branding. Consider a scenario where the building is not yet fully ready to use and the HR department doesn’t have access to a meeting room to hold interviews in; doing this remotely — i.e. from home — may not be the best idea either. A soundproof booth that can be moved away from acoustic or visual distractions thanks to optional castors provides the perfect space for a table and chairs, enabling conducting face-to-face interviews with applicants.
In addition, a company whose office features designer meeting pods with eco-friendly 3D panels available in 5 shapes inspires confidence as an employer and can attract the best talent out there.
8. Brainstorming room
The soundproof booths can be set up as co-working spaces that encourage briefing, idea exchange, and co-creation. Technology, magnetic whiteboards for writing and creating moodboards, and colourful mobile barstools for quick meetings can boost creativity and enhance efficiency during teamwork sessions.
A whiteboard on the outside wall of such an office pod — along with mobile barstools — can serve as an informal meeting place for another team, who can work using the pod even when it’s occupied.
9. Recording studio
The VANK panels mounted on the interior or exterior walls of the soundproof booth boast excellent sound absorption properties. Their sound absorption coefficient is αw = 0.90, ranking them in class A of sound-absorbing materials. In addition, these panels can also act as diffusers thanks to their 3D shape. VANK soundproof office pods provide an additional wall surface to break up sound — something not many acoustic pods can offer. The use of acoustic diffusers helps avoid the echo effect, which is a well-known enemy of effective streaming and recording sessions.
That’s why a soundproof pod is a 2024 must-have for PR, social media, marketing, and sales departments that want to reach out to their audiences and acquire new leads using modern media and means of communication. It will work perfectly as a space to record high-quality podcasts, webinars, and tutorials.
10. Relaxation area
Employees are increasingly looking for ways to use office pods as places to relax, recharge their batteries or meditate. By incorporating adjustable lighting, comfortable lounge seating, and a stereo system that plays the sounds of nature inside, such a soundproof booth can become a highly pleasant working environment that promotes employee well-being.
The outer wall of the JUNGLE version of the VANK acoustic box can be feature a system of modules for growing plants. This ‘biophilic design’ variant has a positive impact on air quality and acoustic comfort. It also reduces stress levels, regulates blood pressure, improves mood and concentration, and acts as a natural antidepressant.
11. Visual communication facility
The outer walls of VANK soundproof pods can feature LED-backlit graphics provided by the customer and serve as an advertising backlight (LED GRAPHIC version). Such an object can be set up in a large open-plan office and reinforce the company’s employer branding.
It can also be used as a welcome sign at the entrance to the office or as a display visible from the street. It may also come in handy at trade shows or events to attract visitors and act as a conversation space.
12. Retreat at events
Acoustic pods can be used for private conversations or relaxation inside conference facilities and exhibition venues. They can be used as soundproof workstations for remote workers attending the event, as a meeting room to talk business with partners, or as a studio for recording event coverage. The LED GRAPHIC version of these pods can serve a marketing purpose in such venues.
13. Manufacturing manager’s room
A soundproof booth is a versatile tool that can help managers manage and organise the various aspects of work and operations in an industrial environment, be it a production floor, a warehouse or a logistics centre. It can be a sound-absorbing office privacy booth to work, analyse data and performance, plan strategy, prepare reports, conduct project team meetings and look into progress and results.
We recommend furnishing the pod with magnetic whiteboards both inside and outside to enhance its functionality.
14. Traveller’s quiet room
Lockable acoustic boxes can be used by travellers to rest, work remotely or have video calls in between flights, at the airport. They provide the necessary acoustic insulation, offering a peaceful environment in busy, crowded terminals.
Such privacy booths can be made available for hotel guests to enable them to work in a co-working area, plan their onward journey or relax while waiting for a delayed flight. They can also be used for online business meetings or presentations at remote locations when professional image is a must.
15. Study room
Soundproof office pods can be highly useful in academic environments such as schools, universities, and libraries, acting as individual study rooms, spaces for duty hours or group projects. They work perfectly as additional quiet zones for neurodiverse people, who may find regular study rooms or crowded hallways too noisy.
Acoustic pods — a versatile and highly adaptable solution
Acoustic pods are designed with versatility in mind — to be used in a variety of industries, such as business offices, hotels, airports, conference and event rooms, and manufacturing environments. It is an eco-friendly architectural solution.
The fact that they can be reassembled reduces the amount of waste generated in the construction industry. VANK pods can be reused when the office is rearranged or the company moves to a new location. Thanks to castor sets which make moving furniture easier, the swift pods can be easily turned or moved within a single room. This makes it possible to rearrange the space without any assembly or finishing work.
The freedom of setting up and furnishing a ‘mobile’ room fosters adapting it to the current needs of the organisation by sectioning off focus zones and individual/team work areas.
