As COVID-19 plagued the world and forced companies to shift their operations online, the hybrid working model is widely adopted as a flexible solution to prevent the widespread of the virus. For CPFB, the hybrid working model meant only 50% of the staff are present in the office at any one time, while the other half works from home.

Current Measures

A site visit to CPFB Novena revealed a multitude of current measures taken by CPF to maximize the usage of the half-filled office and cater to their staff in this new working environment:

1. 1. Open concept office design
2. 2. Hot-desking system
3. 3. Transforming under-utilized spaces into collaboration areas

User Needs

A questionnaire was conducted with over 200 workers across all departments from CPFB islandwide to sift out the problems and needs in this new working environment. We have identified that, to enhance the new hybrid workspace, we can:

1. Provide personal spaces with greater privacy to facilitate tasks that require more focus and concentration

2. Introduce a greater sense of belonging to the office to enhance employee satisfaction when transiting back to working in the office.

3. Segregate the new collaboration areas and personal workstations to create a more conducive environment for both groups in the office.

Each module consists of magnetic joinery for the connection of modules horizontally and Mortise and Tenon joinery that connect the modules vertically. The Neodymium magnets used in the magnetic joinery ensure connection strength yet provide the flexibility to rotate about the vertical axis up to 180 degrees as well. The combination of both joinery types allows the agglomeration of multiple modules to form acoustic screens of various sizes and complexity.

DeskPlex

The modules can be agglomerated horizontally using 3 modules for users to create their own private workspace anywhere in the office. Each user will have their own personal configurable panels that can be attached to any unutilized module or have the modules easily set up whenever and wherever they need.

ScreenPlex

As a collaborative culture emerges from the hybrid working arrangement, group discussions may be detrimental to surrounding colleagues. Thus, the modules can be agglomerated into a standalone acoustic and visual privacy screen, up to 4 modules tall, to carve out spaces for larger group discussions without compromising productivity in the workplace. 

Each module is laid over with an interchangeable panel that allows personalization according to the user's personal needs and preferences. The panel is easily removable through the use of weaker Ferrite magnets as the connection. The panel infill can be easily replaced with another material such as cork or polyester felt to double up as a pin-up board. The fabric cover can also be removed, washed, and replaced with a design of the user's choice. These customization options ensure the modules are flexible in their purpose, not just to improve the visual and acoustic privacy in the office.

WallPlex & Configurable Panels

WallPlex are fixed acoustic modules on the wall to provide additional sound absorption to improve speech clarity in the office.  It has the same acoustic properties as the standard module and consists of small Neodymium magnets on the surface to double up as storage spaces for personal interchangeable panels. As only 50% of the workers will be present in the office at any time, WallPlex will be filled with panels that showcase the office's identity and foster a greater sense of belonging to the office. 

Removable Cover

 The polyester cover is removable to add an additional degree of personalisation. The covers are properly stitched around the corners, fastened by a button, for easy replacement. They are also machine-washable to maintain hygiene at the workplace. 

Interchangeability of Panel Surface

The surface of the configurable panel can also be interchanged with a corkboard, or any other material, to double up as a pin-up board. The frame is attached with velcro strips around its perimeter to facilitate the ease of changing panel surfaces. 

WallPlex, ScreenPlex, and DeskPlex work hand-in-hand as a system to improve the overall acoustic quality in the office. Using CPFB Novena office as the model, we conducted a digital acoustic simulation that showed an overall 3 times reduction in noise distraction. The acoustic properties of the modules provide greater sound privacy for all employees to tackle the emergence of new collaboration areas and discussions in the office. 

Frame Iterations

The design of the structural frame went through many iterations before settling on the ribbed design for its lightweight and rigid properties. The ribbed design is then optimized using SolidWorks digital simulations to achieve a balance of its weight and the Maximum Resultant Displacement and Safety Factor.

Noise Absorption Coefficient Test

To decide on the best core infill for acoustics, we conducted a simple Noise Absorption Coefficient test to understand the relative performance of each material: Polyurethane foam, Rockwool, and Rubber Plastic Cotton. We also explored the possible use of a complimentary soundproofing compound, GreenGlue, but was deemed too costly. Thus, Rockwool was chosen as the core infill for our panels for its acoustic performance and cost efficiency. 

Configurability test

Joinery Iterations

The design of the joinery went through many iterations, from 3D printed pivoting parts to the exploration of ferrous metal. Nonetheless, to ensure rigidity and flexibility, the final decision came to Mortise and Tenon joinery for vertical connections and stacked Neodymium magnets for horizontal connections. 

Configurable Panel Attachment Iterations

We tested 3 attachment options for the configurable panels and considered both the ease of use and level of integration with the existing structural frame of the panel. The use of magnets easily triumphs both its competitors in both aspects and, therefore, is chosen as the final attachment method.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Attachment strength test