1. Open plan office spaces are gaining popularity due to perceived benefits like collaboration and idea sharing, but research shows they can hinder focus and productivity due to noise, lack of privacy, and insufficient airflow.
2. Sound absorption panels and audio masking can help reduce noise levels, especially speech-related noises that most distract from cognitive tasks.
3. Larger open plan spaces tend to be more distracting as they contain more stimuli, negatively impacting cognitive performance for demanding intellectual work. Modifications are needed to address acoustics and create quiet spaces.