Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city

Employees are now being offered quiet rooms in offices. How about quiet zones in public spaces?

- Chua Mui Hoong

A recent report that some companies are introducing quiet rooms in the workplace reminded me of my struggles with finding quiet spots in public places.

The article on July 14 in The Straits Times, "From wellness zone to neurodivergent room: How companies are creating inviting, inclusive offices", mentioned the 2024 Global Workplace Insights report which found that only 68 per cent of Singapore respondents said they could easily find suitable spots to get work done in their offices, compared with the global average of 76 per cent. The poll covered more than 10,000 people from 13 countries and was done by Unispace, an Australia-headquartered interior design company that has a Singapore branch.

At professional services firm EY's One Raffles Quay office in Singapore, there are quiet rooms for those needing a "sensory break". The rooms feature dimmable lights, walls in muted colours and sound-absorbing materials. While these rooms recognise the needs of "neurodivergent" staff who may get exhausted by social interactions and noise, they are also available to any employee seeking a quiet spot for focused work.

A quick search online throws up many articles on the "quiet revolution" in office space planning, as more employers recognise the limits of open layout designs which foster collaboration and teamwork, but distract from focused work.

Research also shows that a constant hum of activity, such as phone conversations and clatter of keyboards, can tire the brain and reduce productivity. So while open office layouts remain popular, more employers are offering quiet pods, partitioned cubicles, folding screens for privacy or green spaces that look out onto calm water or greenery views.