Envoy: Building Acoustic Intelligence for Better Workplace Outcomes

At KP Acoustics Group, we believe that truly successful acoustic design sits at the intersection of science, experience, and informed decision-making. That belief underpinned our recent collaboration with Envoy, who undertook an extensive bespoke acoustic training programme for their team in Australia.

Delivered by Juan Battaner-Morro, Head of Knowledge Exchange at KP Acoustics Research Labs, the programme was designed to go beyond theory, equipping Envoy’s team with the practical acoustic understanding needed to make better design decisions, manage expectations, and ultimately deliver higher-performing environments for their clients.

This collaboration reflects Envoy’s clear commitment to knowledge-led design and their desire to continuously raise the standard of service they provide.

Why Acoustic Literacy Matters 

Modern workplaces are increasingly complex acoustic environments. Open-plan layouts, hybrid working, video conferencing, and flexible furniture solutions all place new demands on how sound is managed.

In this context, good acoustics are rarely achieved through products alone. They rely on a solid understanding of:

• How sound behaves in real spaces
• How people actually use those spaces
• How architectural, services, and furniture decisions interact acoustically

Envoy recognised that strengthening in-house acoustic knowledge would allow their team to engage more confidently with these challenges, supporting better early-stage decisions and more consistent outcomes across projects.

A Bespoke Training Programme, Built Around Real Projects

Rather than a generic training course, the programme was tailored specifically to Envoy’s work, project typologies, and client expectations.

Key areas covered included:

• Core principles of architectural and workplace acoustics
• Speech intelligibility, privacy, and reverberation control
• Interpreting acoustic data, ratings, and performance claims
• Activity-based acoustic design for modern workplaces
• Common pitfalls seen in real projects, and how to avoid them

By grounding the learning in real-world examples, the sessions bridged the gap between acoustic theory and day-to-day design decision-making.

Workplace Pods: What They Are – and What They’re Not

A dedicated focus of the training was workplace pod design, an area where misconceptions are common.

Pods are often perceived as a simple, standalone solution to acoustic problems. In reality, they are best understood as one tool within a broader acoustic strategy.

Well-designed and well-placed pods can:

• Provide localised speech privacy
• Reduce disruption to surrounding work areas
• Support short-duration tasks such as calls, focused work, or small meetings

What they are not is a substitute for holistic acoustic planning or a guarantee of complete sound isolation. Recognising these limitations is essential to achieving successful outcomes.

Acoustic Ratings and the Real World: What the Numbers Actually Mean

One of the most valuable discussions centred on acoustic ratings, and how they are often misunderstood.

Single-number figures such as Rw, STC, or proprietary manufacturer ratings are typically derived from laboratory tests or idealised conditions. While useful for comparison, they do not tell the full story of how a pod or space will perform once installed.

Real-world acoustic performance is influenced by:

• Doors, seals, and ventilation paths
• Installation quality
• Distance and orientation to listeners
• The acoustic character of the surrounding space
• Existing background noise levels

The key message: ratings are indicators, not guarantees. Understanding their limitations allows designers to use them intelligently rather than relying on them blindly.

Why More Insulation Isn’t Always Better

Another important misconception was the assumption that more insulation automatically results in better acoustic performance.

In practice, over-isolated spaces, particularly pods, can feel uncomfortable or unnatural. Humans are not predisposed to silence; a complete sense of acoustic disconnection from the surrounding environment can increase fatigue and reduce user acceptance.

Effective pod design balances:

• Adequate speech privacy for nearby occupants
• Comfortable internal acoustics for users
• Controlled (but not absent) background sound

Ventilation noise, internal reverberation, and perceived connection to the wider space are all critical factors in whether a pod is actually used and valued.

Acoustic Performance Depends on Context

Perhaps the most important discussion was that acoustic performance is contextual.

The same pod, or the same design solution, can perform very differently depending on:

• Ambient noise levels in the host space
• Proximity to workstations
• Orientation of doors and glazed elements
• The reverberation characteristics of adjacent areas

A pod placed within a lively, acoustically treated workplace may deliver excellent perceived privacy, while the same pod in a quiet, reflective environment may fall short of expectations.

This understanding enables more strategic placement, more realistic client conversations, and ultimately better-performing spaces.

Celebrating Envoy’s Leadership

Envoy’s decision to invest in bespoke acoustic training demonstrates genuine leadership within the industry. By embedding acoustic intelligence within their team, they are better equipped to:

• Make informed early-stage design decisions
• Specify solutions that are fit-for-purpose
• Manage expectations clearly and confidently
• Deliver environments that support focus, collaboration, and wellbeing

It has been a pleasure working with Envoy’s engaged and thoughtful team, and we look forward to seeing this enhanced acoustic capability reflected across their future projects.

At KP Acoustics Research Labs, we are proud to collaborate with organisations that place learning, performance, and evidence-based design at the core of their practice.

If you would like to learn more about our bespoke acoustic training programmes or how we support design teams globally, please get in touch with KP Acoustics Research Labs on education@kpacoustics.com or call 02382 544 965.