Sound-absorbing chairs could help offices reconfigure

Chairs that absorb sound could help offices to use their space more efficiently whilst social distancing

Spotted: Industrial designer Kateryna Sokolova has teamed up with furniture maker Casala to create a furniture collection the post-COVID work environment. Originally designed as a “stylish solution to the increasing need for concentration and privacy in office environments”, the Capsule Collection is also perfect for social distancing.

The collection includes a cocoon-shaped chair, a two-seater and a three-seater, which offers privacy without isolation, and on which users can make phone calls without being disturbed or disturbing others. The furniture material and shape also absorbs ambient noise, and can thus be placed in the middle of a busy room and still allow for productive work. 

The furniture could help offices to repurpose space to make use of open areas, where people might otherwise be disturbed from passers-by. It comes in a variety of colours and the single-seater measures 1 metre by 1.7 metres.

The designer claims she was inspired by working in a roomy and noisy office, where it can be difficult to concentrate. She explains that: “when the quarantine began, I started working remotely. In the first month of working from home, my effectiveness fell to 50 per cent. It is too relaxing there and it is difficult to keep yourself together and just start working. The situation, which we have now, pushes us to look for some common solutions to keep social distance, to be concentrated in the office, and switch to working mood at the home office.”

As businesses try to find ways to reopen safely, creating space for social distancing has become a major concern. The Capsule chairs are just one product we have seen that could help with this. Others include a stylish plastic cone that isolates diners while allowing them to talk with friends and attractive carpet tiles that help workers and customers to practice social distancing.

Explore more: Work & Lifestyle Innovations | COVID-19 Innovations