Hobbs Brook Management LLC
Challenge
Reducing Distractions and Protecting Speech Privacy at a Commercial
Real Estate and Property Management Firm
Hobbs Brook Management LLC is a commercial real estate, property management, and development firm specializing in leasing, construction, and development of Class A office space in the greater Boston area as well as other properties in Rhode Island, Georgia, and Illinois. About 35 employees work in their Waltham Massachusetts headquarters working on leasing and construction projects, requiring a mix of individual and collaborative work and numerous huddle room meetings. As the office continued to grow, noise distractions in the 15,000 square foot office space began to pose a problem. The walls to the private offices don’t go all of the way to the ceiling deck causing some conversations from neighboring offices, conference rooms, common areas, and meeting rooms to spill over into neighboring private offices. The noise made it difficult for those focused on individual tasks to concentrate.
Assistant Real Estate Manager Santo Dettore began to look for a solution to the problem. Having a construction background, he was familiar with sound masking systems but was unsure if the solution was right for his office. Sound masking is the process of adding an unobtrusive background noise to an environment to cover up excess speech. Coincidentally, Cambridge Sound Management, the leading sound masking manufacturer, is a Hobbs Brook tenant and had recently installed sound masking at another office on the premises. After learning that this client was happy with the system, Dettore called Cambridge Sound Management, who connected him with local integrator Eric Morgani from Communications Link Services Corp (CLSC), who handled procurement and installation for the Hobbs Brook office.
Solution
Qt® 300 Sound Masking System
CLSC installed QtPro™ sound masking from Cambridge Sound Management throughout Hobbs Brook’s office space. Small, barely visible emitters (speakers) were placed in the drop ceiling throughout the open office and private office space. The emitters were connected by cables to an intuitive Qt 300 control module mounted in the server room. Automatic ramping was programmed into the system, allowing for the masking noise to be slightly louder at times when the office is at its busiest.
Result
A More Pleasant Work Environment
When employees returned to the office after the sound masking was installed they were pleasantly surprised to hear the masking noise and a noticeable decrease in distractions. After a few days, the masking sound itself wasn’t noticed by the employees, but the benefits of reduced distractions continue to pay dividends for employee concentration, productivity, and well-being. Dettore liked the product so much he’s recommended it to Hobbs Brook’s parent company as well. “Since QtPro has been installed we’ve noticed the reduction in typical office noise distractions and our meetings are less disruptive to people who are trying to concentrate on individual work,” says Dettore. “We love the product and wonder how we ever worked without it.”
About Hobbs Brook Management LLC
Because the most valuable thing they develop is a relationship, Hobbs Brook Management focuses its efforts on satisfying the individual needs of customers that lease within their parks. A service-oriented provider of Class A business solutions to companies large and small, Hobbs Brook builds sustainably, maintains an on-site facilities management staff, and develops or renovates projects for energy efficiency, LEED certification, and the preservation of the local environment. With portfolios in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia and Illinois, Hobbs Brook offers competitive amenities, on-site catering and dining facilities, fitness centers, and a full-service conference center available to tenants and the public. Hobbs Brook enjoys a steady occupancy rate in the 90th percentile, and holds firm to the belief that tenants should feel secure, well-balanced and prevalent at work. For leasing options or additional information, please visit www.hobbsbrook.com.
About Biamp
Biamp® is a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems that power the world’s most sophisticated audiovisual installations. The company is recognized worldwide for delivering high-quality products and backing each one with a commitment to exceptional customer service.
Recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2018 Global Installed Audio Conferencing Enabling Technology Leadership Award, Biamp is dedicated to creating products that drive the evolution of communication through sight and sound. The award-winning Biamp product suite includes: Tesira® media system for digital audio and video networking, Devio® collaboration tool for modern workplaces, Audia® digital audio platform, Nexia® digital signal processors, Vocia® networked public address and voice evacuation system, Cambridge® sound masking solutions, and loudspeakers for installed sound applications from Community Loudspeakers® and Apart Audio®. Each has its own specific feature set that can be customized and integrated in a wide range of applications, including corporate boardrooms, conference centers, huddle rooms, open floor environments, performing arts venues, courtrooms, hospitals, transportation hubs, campuses, retail, hospitality, military and government, and multi-building facilities.
Founded in 1976, Biamp is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, USA, with additional offices around the globe. For more information on Biamp, please visit www.biamp.com.
About Communications Link Service Corp.
Since 1985, Communications Link Service Corp. has delivered award-winning information and communications technology solutions for commercial, industrial, government and educational enterprises. The company’s comprehensive approach, experienced team and commitment to innovation and service makes it the communications integration company of choice for organizations throughout the Northeast. For more information about how CLSC’s advanced information and communications technology can drive your business forward, call them at 1 800-700-8483 or visit their website: www.commlinkservices.com.