Sound Masking System Design for Modern Workplaces
Project Overview
AastroTech implemented a sound masking system for a financial services and investment management workplace, covering 11 floors of the corporate environment.
The project focused on creating a more controlled acoustic setting across the workplace, with AastroTech Electronics LLP serving as the system integrator for the sound masking deployment.
The challenge
Modern office settings that feature an open plan are designed for collaboration and efficient use of space. Nevertheless, these spaces pose many problems in terms of acoustics.
Speech travels from workstation to workstation, conversations in the meeting rooms travel out into other spaces, and workers get distracted by surrounding speech.
For a financial services organisation such as the Client, where employees regularly handle confidential business and client-related information, it was particularly important to maintain an appropriate level of speech privacy.
The requirement was a more controlled acoustic environment across the workplace, with improved acoustic privacy, without compromising employee comfort. That called for a carefully considered sound masking system design rather than a generic, off-the-shelf installation.
The Aastrotech approach
AastroTech implemented a professional sound masking solution across 11 floors of the client’s workplace, distributing a controlled, consistent background sound throughout the required areas.
Unlike the traditional audio system, sound masking is not supposed to be used for any form of entertainment or announcement. Instead, it is supposed to mask the unwanted sound or speech to make it less comprehensible.
It was essential for the success of this large-scale application that the sound masking system design was correct from the start, even when one speaker had not been deployed.
What we implemented
1. Site Assessment: Understanding floor layouts, workspace configuration, ceiling conditions and the areas that required sound masking.
2. Acoustic Planning: Planning speaker locations, zones and coverage to achieve consistent sound distribution across all 11 floors.
3. Sound Masking System Design: Developing the detailed system design, floor by floor, based on the client’s specific workplace requirements.
4. Installation: Sound masking installation across the required areas and floors, including the necessary infrastructure.
5. Commissioning & Calibration: Sound masking calibration and fine-tuning to achieve an appropriate, consistent masking environment.
6. Handover: System documentation and handover to the facility team.
The Difference It Made
For Employees
1. Reduced distraction from nearby conversations
2. A more comfortable, consistent acoustic environment across floors
3. Greater confidence when discussing confidential or client-sensitive matters
For the Organization
Improved speech privacy across all 11 floors, stronger support for confidential, client-facing conversations, and a scalable sound masking architecture that can extend to future floors or sites as the workplace grows.
Before & After
| Before | With Sound Masking |
|---|---|
| Conversations travel across workspaces. | Reduced speech intelligibility |
| Employees distracted by nearby conversations | Reduced perceived speech distraction |
| Acoustic environment varies across areas | More consistent workplace acoustics |
| Limited control over speech privacy | Improved speech privacy |
| Conventional acoustic treatment alone | Active, engineered acoustic environment management |
From Workplace Noise to a Designed Acoustic Environment
Across 11 floors, AastroTech’s Sound Masking System Design approach helped the client move from an uncontrolled open-plan acoustic environment to one that is deliberately engineered for speech privacy and comfort.
By combining site assessment, acoustic planning, system design, installation and calibration, AastroTech ensured the sound masking solution was not simply installed but was properly designed, distributed and calibrated for the workplace acoustics the client needed.
This project is an example of how a well-executed sound masking system can become a core part of a modern workplace strategy, particularly where privacy, concentration and employee experience are important considerations.
Key Takeaway
Across 11 floors, AastroTech helped the client create a more controlled acoustic environment, supporting speech privacy, employee concentration and a better workplace experience through thoughtful sound masking system design.
