return to the office | Architecture Today webinar

watch the webinar with Oscar Acoustics MD, Ben Hancock

On June 25th, 2025, Oscar Acoustics’ Managing Director Ben Hancock joined a panel of thought leaders in Architecture Today’s highly anticipated webinar, Return to the Office, exploring how workplace design is evolving in a post-pandemic world. In a session that drew hundreds of architects, designers, and developers, Ben shared his insight on one of the most overlooked, yet mission-critical aspects of workplace wellbeing: acoustic comfort.

The webinar addressed the big questions many in the industry are grappling with. How do we bring people back into the office in a meaningful way? What does a truly productive, people-centred workspace look like in 2025 and beyond? And crucially, how can architects and designers create environments that not only support collaboration but also prioritise mental health, focus, and comfort?

Ben’s presentation, “Shaping Future-Ready Workspaces for ‘The Great Return to the Office’, honed in on how acoustics are no longer a ‘nice-to-have’—they are a non-negotiable part of healthy workplace design.

sounding the alarm on workplace noise

Backed by recent data and Oscar Acoustics’ extensive project experience, Ben outlined how poor acoustic environments significantly contribute to absenteeism, employee turnover, and reduced cognitive performance.

He also cited recent studies revealing that 70% of office workers say they would be more productive in a quieter environment, and nearly 60% believe noise negatively impacts their wellbeing. As businesses rethink office layouts to encourage more collaboration and creativity, they often unintentionally introduce noise stressors that negate these benefits.

designing for the hybrid future

With hybrid working here to stay, Ben emphasised the need for multifunctional spaces that support both collaboration and quiet concentration. He advocated for a layered approach to acoustic design, including spatial zoning, and the use of SonaSpray – high-performance sound-absorbing finishes.

Ben highlighted Oscar Acoustics’ own portfolio of work in reimagining office environments—from quiet focus pods and acoustically treated breakout spaces to entire floor plates designed with ambient soundscaping in mind.

a wake-up call for designers

A key takeaway from Ben’s talk was a call to action for architects and specifiers: incorporate acoustic design at the start of the project, not as a retrofit. He warned that too many developments still treat sound control as an afterthought, often when it’s too late or too costly to resolve effectively.

He also pointed to the role of acoustics in supporting inclusivity, citing research that neurodivergent employees—such as those with ADHD or autism—are disproportionately affected by poor sound environments. Addressing this is not only a wellbeing issue but a vital aspect of equitable design.