Episode 22: THE ART OF ACOUSTIC DESIGN - Axel Enthoven - Yellow Window Design and Richard Ellerbeck - BuzziSpace

It's May 17th 2021 as this episode is published. Today, lockdown rules have eased in England, Scotland and Wales. Pubs and restaurants are able to serve customers indoors, and social distancing guidelines have been relaxed. Indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children's play areas can open, as can theatres, concert halls, conference centres, and sports stadiums.

At long last, it seems that we are returning to some form of normality. But, what about Business Office Workers? A recent Deloitte survey found that 32% of workers plan to continue working from home, even post-pandemic.  The CIPD website states, "As businesses work towards reopening, employers must plan for a return to the workplace in ways that care for their people and safeguards their health and well-being".

People have become very comfy working from home. Many like the flexibility it can offer and don't miss the stress of the daily commute. Businesses may need to demonstrate to their workers that improvements and renovations have been made, which help increase their productivity and ease stress, to entice them back into the workspace.

In Ep. 2 of The Quiet Mark Podcast, Ethan Bourdeau - Sound Lead at The International WELL Building Institute, explained the importance of acoustics, as one of several concepts that are rated in WELL Building certification. In February last year, Quiet Mark launched its Acoustics Academy, a free-to-use online directory of verified acoustic products for the built environment.  Our most recent addition to the Acoustics Academy is BuzziSpace, a company that promotes happy and healthy workspaces around the world, creating beautiful acoustic furniture and lighting solutions that accommodate the changing workplace.

So, with 'Return to Work' in the headlines, and BuzziSpace being our newest Acoustics Academy members, it seems timely to focus this episode on the role of acoustics in the workspace and the art of acoustic product design. Joining our host, Simon Gosling, to discuss these themes, we're delighted to be joined by 2 leading experts in the field; multi award-winning design guru Axel Enthoven - Founder of Yellow Window Design and Rhodes University B.A. Psychology, Philosophy, Richard Ellerbeck - Global Acoustic Consultant at BuzziSpace.