Acoustic pods typically come in four practical sizes to cover common work modes. A compact 4×4 ft pod suits one person for phone or quick video calls and deep-focus work—perfect to tuck near work bays. Stepping up, a 4×8 ft pod fits 1–2 people for 1:1s, interviews, or a designer–client review, giving enough room for a chair and small table. For small groups, a 6×8 ft pod comfortably accommodates 2–4 people for huddles or sales calls with screen sharing, with space for a table and multiple chairs. The largest common option, 8×12 ft, supports 4–8 people for brainstorming, small board meetings, or mini workshops; plan these with AV integration, adequate airflow, and dedicated power. In all cases, pods are best planned during initial layout design or a workplace refresh, and positioned either near noisy zones (copiers, cafés) or wherever acoustic relief is most needed in open-bench areas.

When to plan pods: During layout planning or workplace refresh; place close to noisy zones (copiers, cafés) or where acoustic relief is most needed (open benching)

A well-designed acoustic pod focuses on performance, comfort, and practicality: start with tight door seals and threshold details, robust wall builds using PET felt, acoustic foam, or composite layers, and laminated or acoustic glazing; insist on verified metrics—NRC for absorption and STC for sound blocking—with test reports. For ventilation, use quiet fans or tie into central HVAC/cassette AC, size airflow to meet air-changes-per-hour targets to prevent CO₂ build-up, and position grills so they won’t create mic noise on calls. Provide ample power and data with AC sockets, USB-A/USB-C, optional PoE, and clean cable pass-throughs, ideally routing services through the ceiling to avoid floor trenching. Lighting should use LEDs with optional dimming and occupancy sensing. Specify durable materials: PET acoustic panels in chosen colors, lower-wall wood cladding to ~750 mm for scuff resistance, anti-scratch laminates or veneers, and fire-retardant grades where required. For doors and hardware, offer metal or wood handles with self-closing hinges and soft closers. Use leveling feet with vinyl or carpeted floors inside. Plan AV and accessories—display mount, whiteboard, camera shelf, booking tablet—from the outset. Finally, prefer a flat-pack, modular design that can be re-assembled without damage for easy relocation.