Can you hear me now? No? Good! That’s the magic of the modern office phone booth, saving your ears (and sanity) one call at a time! 

The modern workplace is evolving, and one of the most significant trends of 2023 is the office phone booth, found on almost every stall at the Orgatec trade fair in Fall 2022. Once a common sight on the streets, phone booths have found a new purpose within office environments.  

The biggest problem with open offices is excessive noise.  

In a workplace survey conducted in 2019, 65% of respondents admitted that noise affects their efficiency. The constant chatter from phone calls and conversations between colleagues disturbs their concentration. And open plan offices are hard to get away from these days. 

The phone booth solves this problem. You can be part of the open-plan space, while still having access to the focus and privacy you need at various points of your day.  

That is why the call booth is becoming a piece of furniture that cannot be done without a progressive office that takes into account the needs of employees.  

High-quality phone booths use special sound-insulating materials, including glass with acoustic properties. The weight and size of a booth are also important factors in soundproofing; generally, heavier and larger booths provide better sound insulation. This is because mass-giving materials contribute to the overall effectiveness of the booth’s soundproofing. 

A well-designed phone booth ensures soundproofing works from the inside out, so that speech inside the booth doesn’t disturb others in the office. The person inside the booth should still be able to hear essential sounds, like fire alarms or warnings, for safety reasons. 

The shape of the booth also contributes to dampening sound. For instance, Intuit’s Booth is uniquely trapezoidal, which hinders the smooth linear movement of sound waves.  

What distinguishes a good booth?

You need a blend of professional acoustic materials to strike a balance between performance and affordability. But it also makes a difference for user experience.  

You can easily overdo it with acoustic materials, resulting in an unpleasant and pressurized feel. High-quality booths have found the right balance of materials, setting them apart from lower-budget options. Meaning you can stay in the booth for as long as you want. 

Unless you’re creating a professional radio studio, too much soundproofing isn’t always a good thing. For example, a sound resistance of 40-45dB can make the inside of the booth feel oppressive. Our brains are built to be aware of our surroundings, which is why headphones are used in studios to help people cope with sound-absorbing environments for long periods.  

But, too little sound resistance is also a problem. Noisy booths aren’t suitable for those users who need more quiet, or those in search of a space for a confidential conversation. 

Here are the things you should keep in mind when choosing your phone booth: 

• Minimum airflow: The standard for airflow is at least 10 liters per second (l/s) per person. Ensure that the booth you choose meets or exceeds this standard for optimal air exchange. 
• Airflow direction: Typically, phone booths have a fan on the ceiling to direct fresh air. However, strong airflow can be uncomfortable, so try to observe how the airflow is directed in the booth. Ideally, it should flow smoothly along the walls rather than directly from top to bottom. 
• Air intake and exhaust fans: The best phone booths come equipped with both air intake and exhaust fans, which create a more natural airflow and quieter operation. Many office booths simply push air through the enclosure, which can cause excessive pressure inside the booth and result in an uncomfortable experience for the user. This issue often stems from the absence of an exhaust fan in the design. 
• Noise levels: Some phone booths have noisy ventilation systems that can be uncomfortable for users and create noise in the office. Opt for booths with larger motors that work at low revolutions and operate quietly. 
• Odors and materials: Poor ventilation can lead to unpleasant smells in the booth, which doesn’t make for a comfortable experience. It’s important to choose a phone booth made with allergy-free materials and ensure proper air exchange to avoid toxic odors from chemicals or glue. 

As we all become more aware of the impact office work has on our health, lighting will play a big part in making a phone booth a comfortable and productive environment for your employees. No one wants to be trapped in a dark box. Consider: 

• Occupational safety standards: Every phone booth should adhere to established standards. Proper lighting not only helps your employee’s eyes, but also increases their work capacity. 
• Light intensity: The minimum light intensity standard for workplaces is 300 lux. Higher numbers indicate brighter lighting, which can (to a limit) contribute to better working conditions. 
• Color temperature: The color tone of the phone booth lighting should fall between 3000 (warm white) and 4000 (neutral white) Kelvin. This range is recommended for office work, as it encourages creativity and focus. 
• Adjustable lighting: The most useful phone booths will allow you to adjust the lighting with a dimmer, providing greater control over the light flux and enabling a more personalized and comfortable environment. 
• Natural light: Don’t underestimate the importance of natural light, which is the healthiest type of lighting for our bodies. Large glass walls and doors can make the phone booth feel more spacious and less claustrophobic. 

If you’re investing money in phone booths for your office, then you want your employees to use them. A quality user experience is what sets quality phone booths apart from the rest. 

• Shape and size: A well-designed booth should offer a balance between compactness and spaciousness, providing enough room to move comfortably and not feel claustrophobic. 
• Mobility: Let’s face it, you’re probably going to want to move it at some point. So, check if the booth has wheels for easy relocation without taking it apart completely. Larger wheels ensure smoother movement. 
• Connectivity: A high-quality phone booth should come equipped with wall outlets and various charging options, including USB sockets, to accommodate users’ needs. 
• Customizability: Look for a booth that can easily match your existing office design. The more options for covering materials, the better it will blend into your workspace. 
• Ergonomics: Prioritize comfort in both the table and chair of the phone booth. Intuit’s Booth, for example, features a unique swivel chair that keeps the body active and stimulates creativity.

You can buy a melamine-covered booth for as little as €2,650. But it wouldn’t do you any good. At that price, there’s no way you are getting the quality and quantity of materials needed to make the booth effective. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the more expensive booths are priced at around €15,000.   

A mid-range option is around €8,000-€9,000.  

At this price level, a phone booth is an optimal and functional solution, providing a good balance of quality and cost.  

Investing in a high-quality office phone booth can significantly improve your workspace. As employees struggle to re-acclimatize to noisy open-plan offices, providing a private and comfortable place for them can improve productivity and morale.  

Keeping all of this in mind, we’ve designed the Intuit Booth. To learn more about Booth’s innovative design, . Or see it for yourself at the Softrend office showroom located on the 3rd floor of Rocca Ärimaja, Paldiski mnt 96.