Challenge

Reducing Distractions and Protecting Speech Privacy in a Truly Open-Concept Space

When rapidly expanding independent oil and gas company Denbury Resources started construction on a new office building in Plano Texas, they wanted their new office space to be a physical representation of their collaborative and team-first company culture. Denbury desired a space that literally exemplified their company’s open-door policy – they wanted an interior space with no doors to private offices. Additionally, there were no cubicles and abundant amounts of open-space. Only conference rooms would have doors.

With such a bold vision comes privacy and noise concerns. A completely open office space with no cubicle partitions or office doors to block sound would mean that speech privacy would be compromised and noise distractions would be elevated. How could they retain their open concept vision but also create an acoustically comfortable environment?

To help solve the problem, Denbury consulted with a telecommunications integrator about introducing sound masking – the process of adding a low level, unobtrusive background sound to an environment to reduce the intelligibility of human speech and reduce noise distractions. By making nearby conversations unintelligible, sound masking protects speech privacy and allows individuals to work more productively.

Solution

QtPro™ Sound Masking System

Denbury Resources installed Cambridge Sound Management’s cost-effective QtPro Sound Masking system to accommodate the acoustical requirements of their 750,000 square foot, three-floor, seven-building office complex. Small, barely visible emitters (speakers) were installed in the ceiling tiles throughout the entire space including open office staff work stations, conference rooms, corridors, and common areas, and private offices. Emitters were also installed in the bathrooms to provide music and paging resources in these areas.

A more pleasant work environment

Not only has Denbury Resources been able to create greater privacy in their private offices and corridors, they have a more pleasant work environment with fewer distractions in open office areas as well.

“Utilizing sound masking from Cambridge Sound Management keeps the cross-talk between the offices and corridors down so you don’t hear inter-office conversations. I highly recommend sound masking as a solution for open-concept office spaces.” – Steve Shanks, Manager of Audio, Video Surveillance and Security

“When the sound masking is turned off there is a huge difference in the building. It’s one of those things that you don’t know it’s there until it’s gone.” – Michael Roberts, Audio Visual Engineer.

About Denbury Resources, Inc.

Denbury Resources, Inc. is a growing independent oil and gas company. The company is the largest oil and natural gas producer in both Mississippi and Montana, owns the largest reserves of carbon dioxide (CO2) used for tertiary oil recovery east of the Mississippi River, and holds significant operating acreage in the Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions. The company’s goal is to increase the value of acquired properties through a combination of exploitation, drilling and proven engineering extraction practices, with its most significant emphasis on our CO2 tertiary recovery operations.

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.