both...I think offices need phone booths so you can make a call in silence and not have to project what you are saying to everybody you are surrounded by.
Quiet. I can't stand the typical office banter, slamming of cabinet doors, hearing co-workers on the phone, the keyboard pounders, and the guy who randomly lets you know what day it is.."It's Monday".."Not bad for a Monday"
It's an interesting question as you cannot always choose what people will do. A good balance of staff would help particularly by not emphasizing the "extrovert ideal."
Someone external or internal that periodically evaluates an office would help with this issue of culture.
I would probably prefer a quieter office, but I get plenty done in my noisy office. If I really need it quiet, I'll find a conference room, or work from home.
I do enjoy being able to hear what more experienced people around me are talking about on phone calls, etc. I've learned a lot by eavesdropping. It kills me to see recent graduates with headphones on tuning all that out.
Apr 11, 17 12:36 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
In the first office I worked in, the interns were kept isolated from the architects and I think it really hurt to not be able to eavesdrop or even participate, we had to sit and pound keys. Then I worked in a more open office and was one of the people having to make phone calls that were sometimes difficult and had to do it over office mate's music, although I got to hear what more senior staff were doing then, we all had to do phone conversations over music and we all hated it. The senior staff who had to both produce and manage often came in mornings, nights, and weekends for the quiet on top of their regular hours which made for lots of tension.
In the smaller offices I've worked for, we've always had music playing... either radio or a shared Spotify playlist. Currently working in a larger office and I use headphones for music most of the day.
I prefer the communal background music. Headphones are isolating, which is good when I need to focus but I don't always like being isolated.
How do offices that play music handle it when people have to make phone calls? I absolutely can;t listen to music while talking on the phone.
Apr 11, 17 1:30 pm ·
·
Bench
We usually just ask the person to turn it down a bit, or the person takes the call on their cell out of studio / transfers the landline to a conference room.
If you're able to pay attention to the music, you aren't working hard enough.
The offices I've worked at that have had music playing for the office have had it set to a level where it was basically glorified white noise. After a while I'd just forget that it was there. I don't think it would be picked up very well over the phone, but I was never on the receiving end of those calls so I couldn't be sure. My current office is loud enough with adjacent conversations that are probably picked up over the phone more than the music ever was.
Apr 11, 17 4:34 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
So let me see if I understand, if I'm on the phone while the person next to me in the open office is playing music and I find it difficult to hear my phone conversation, it is because I'm not working hard enough? Got it. I'll be sure to try harder. Thanks!
Apr 11, 17 5:39 pm ·
·
SneakyPete
Agreed. EI, your statement is a bit too one-size-fits-all. I listen to music and can concentrate if it's MY music, but music overhead I do not like drives me crazy. My close friend can't listen to ANY music but can get tons of work done while listening to podcasts, which distract the heck out of me.
Anyone listening to personal music over speakers in an open office is asking for trouble.
Apr 11, 17 7:39 pm ·
·
tduds
"The offices I've worked at that have had music playing for the office have had it set to a level where it was basically glorified white noise." Ditto. I still prefer it to headphones.
Apr 11, 17 7:43 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
We prided ourselves on being hip! Music was loud...
We have a no headphones during regular office hour policy. Works for me but I know plenty who hate it. We have an open setting and the goal is for everyone to be included in whatever activities are going on at the next desk. Not sure how many interns take advantage of that free learning op, but I surely did back then.
After hours is a d deferent story as I am often the only one there. In that case, the subwoofer I use as a foot stool comes in handy.
First year and a half or so when I was doing pretty much all production, I could use headphones. Now that I'm in a PA/sometimes PM role, I get too many calls/people stopping by to really wear them.
Plus I have a hearing aid that connects to my phone and streams Spotify. So technically no one has any clue if I'm actually listening to them or listening to music.
where I work, the interns pretty much call the shots - they are more knowledgeable and don't have a problem second guessing some intermediate - its also very chaotic here - we work late and on weekends - we just bust stuff out
Sometimes I help out at my husband's office and yesterday was one such day. I took a phone call from a new client and the engineering office upstairs started playing really loud music for their daily energizer. A fine example of why I think people who play loud music in offices are narcissistic terds. But what I really think is that I don't believe in offices anymore.
Apr 13, 17 11:33 am ·
·
Non Sequitur
daily energizer?
Apr 13, 17 12:26 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
Pep rally, social time, team building, bonding... I don't know but they listen to loud music and play games. At least they aren't bowling.
Apr 13, 17 12:52 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
I'm working at the park today while my kid plays. Out of the box is much nicer.
Some arch firms are like video game companies in SF or silicon valley
Apr 13, 17 4:57 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
Some arch firms are like frat houses... drinking, porn, hazing rituals...
Apr 14, 17 9:46 am ·
·
s=r*(theta)
I once worked at a place that had a small 500s.f. lower level area that had a bar, pool table, and large screen tv., but unfortunately most of the female staff never participated and there was no porn either, bummer :( , but those crimson cork flooring samples really turned things up!,
Apr 14, 17 12:12 pm ·
·
Wilma Buttfit
I would have been down there. No porn though, that's where I draw the line.
Apr 14, 17 1:09 pm ·
·
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.
Do you Prefer a noisy office?
Do you Prefer a noisy office? or so quiet you can hear a mouse fart?
What does a mouse fart sound like?
It's a squeaker.
Because I'm 34 going on 13.
Quiet... because the harder I type and click I'm indicating to the office that I'm doing very important work.
both...I think offices need phone booths so you can make a call in silence and not have to project what you are saying to everybody you are surrounded by.
the older I get, the quieter I like it.
Quiet. But music is ok most of the time. But really depends on what I'm doing.
the offices I work in are very noisy and chaotic - I need to come in on the weekends to get anything done
Quiet. I can't stand the typical office banter, slamming of cabinet doors, hearing co-workers on the phone, the keyboard pounders, and the guy who randomly lets you know what day it is.."It's Monday".."Not bad for a Monday"
It's an interesting question as you cannot always choose what people will do. A good balance of staff would help particularly by not emphasizing the "extrovert ideal."
Someone external or internal that periodically evaluates an office would help with this issue of culture.
Oh! and I like a quietly noisy office.
I would probably prefer a quieter office, but I get plenty done in my noisy office. If I really need it quiet, I'll find a conference room, or work from home.
I do enjoy being able to hear what more experienced people around me are talking about on phone calls, etc. I've learned a lot by eavesdropping. It kills me to see recent graduates with headphones on tuning all that out.
In the first office I worked in, the interns were kept isolated from the architects and I think it really hurt to not be able to eavesdrop or even participate, we had to sit and pound keys. Then I worked in a more open office and was one of the people having to make phone calls that were sometimes difficult and had to do it over office mate's music, although I got to hear what more senior staff were doing then, we all had to do phone conversations over music and we all hated it. The senior staff who had to both produce and manage often came in mornings, nights, and weekends for the quiet on top of their regular hours which made for lots of tension.
In the smaller offices I've worked for, we've always had music playing... either radio or a shared Spotify playlist. Currently working in a larger office and I use headphones for music most of the day.
I prefer the communal background music. Headphones are isolating, which is good when I need to focus but I don't always like being isolated.
How do offices that play music handle it when people have to make phone calls? I absolutely can;t listen to music while talking on the phone.
We usually just ask the person to turn it down a bit, or the person takes the call on their cell out of studio / transfers the landline to a conference room.
Your phone must not ring a whole lot.
If you're able to pay attention to the music, you aren't working hard enough.
The offices I've worked at that have had music playing for the office have had it set to a level where it was basically glorified white noise. After a while I'd just forget that it was there. I don't think it would be picked up very well over the phone, but I was never on the receiving end of those calls so I couldn't be sure. My current office is loud enough with adjacent conversations that are probably picked up over the phone more than the music ever was.
So let me see if I understand, if I'm on the phone while the person next to me in the open office is playing music and I find it difficult to hear my phone conversation, it is because I'm not working hard enough? Got it. I'll be sure to try harder. Thanks!
Agreed. EI, your statement is a bit too one-size-fits-all. I listen to music and can concentrate if it's MY music, but music overhead I do not like drives me crazy. My close friend can't listen to ANY music but can get tons of work done while listening to podcasts, which distract the heck out of me.
Sorry, my sarcasm didn't come through on the first sentence. I didn't ever intend for it be taken literally.
That changes everything. :D
Oh sarcasm. Thank you.
Anyone listening to personal music over speakers in an open office is asking for trouble.
"The offices I've worked at that have had music playing for the office have had it set to a level where it was basically glorified white noise." Ditto. I still prefer it to headphones.
We prided ourselves on being hip! Music was loud...
After hours is a d deferent story as I am often the only one there. In that case, the subwoofer I use as a foot stool comes in handy.
First year and a half or so when I was doing pretty much all production, I could use headphones. Now that I'm in a PA/sometimes PM role, I get too many calls/people stopping by to really wear them.
Plus I have a hearing aid that connects to my phone and streams Spotify. So technically no one has any clue if I'm actually listening to them or listening to music.
where I work, the interns pretty much call the shots - they are more knowledgeable and don't have a problem second guessing some intermediate - its also very chaotic here - we work late and on weekends - we just bust stuff out
Sounds like where some co-workers used to work at in silicon valley.
Quiet for sure!
Sometimes I help out at my husband's office and yesterday was one such day. I took a phone call from a new client and the engineering office upstairs started playing really loud music for their daily energizer. A fine example of why I think people who play loud music in offices are narcissistic terds. But what I really think is that I don't believe in offices anymore.
daily energizer?
Pep rally, social time, team building, bonding... I don't know but they listen to loud music and play games. At least they aren't bowling.
I'm working at the park today while my kid plays. Out of the box is much nicer.
what happens when the wind blows?
My pinwheel twirls.
Some arch firms are like video game companies in SF or silicon valley
Some arch firms are like frat houses... drinking, porn, hazing rituals...
I once worked at a place that had a small 500s.f. lower level area that had a bar, pool table, and large screen tv., but unfortunately most of the female staff never participated and there was no porn either, bummer :( , but those crimson cork flooring samples really turned things up!,
I would have been down there. No porn though, that's where I draw the line.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.