Office Pods: Give Your Team the Quiet Space They Deserve

Give your team the quiet space they need to focus and perform. Discover how office pods transform noisy open-plan workplaces into productive, inspiring environments.

About the author:

Picture of Mike Karle

Mike Karle

Director and Co-founder of Karo
office pod

“Create Healthy Workspaces”

Open-plan offices were meant to inspire creativity, energy and collaboration. In reality, many have become noisy environments and trying to concentrate is nearly impossible. If you’re wanting to create a workspace where people can do real, focused work, soundproof office pods offer a practical and modern solution.

"Your team is trying to work, but the open-plan office is loud, distracting and makes focus almost impossible."

People should not have to choose between collaboration and concentration. A productive workplace needs both.

The Problem: Noise, Distraction and a Lack of Focus

When you think of an open plan office, you typically envisage a place full of the hustle-bustle of people and machines. Open plan offices focus on team collaboration and create a more social work environment.

The downside is that they often expose employees to constant interruptions and distractions, including:

    • Telephone conversations
    • Online meetings
    • Discussions between colleagues
    • Office machinery and equipment
    • General background noise.

These noises and distractions can have a detrimental effect on employees’ concentration, productivity and wellbeing.

There is no privacy in an open plan office.

open plan office
Typical open plan office

Research highlighted by the BBC suggests open-plan offices can reduce productivity, make concentration more difficult and increase workplace distractions.

Open plan offices promised eye contact, collaboration, improved creativity, human interaction and bright open spaces. However, what we have ended up with are loud rooms full of busy people who have no privacy, and who are desperately trying to concentrate. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Open Plan Office.

Why It Matters: The Hidden Cost of Poor Workspaces

If your employees can’t think clearly, their productivity suffers. If they can’t hold confidential meetings, make calls or hold video conferences in peace, your company’s overall professionalism takes a hit.

Not having dedicated, private zones for focused work is not just inconvenient, it’s a barrier to getting the best from your people.

Although seamless collaboration and communication are critical within an organisation, it is important for employees to have moments of privacy. Depending on the task, a large portion of an employee’s day may involve interacting with colleagues and management. There are however many situations that demand solitude and freedom from interference. Interior designers have recognised this need and have incorporated soundproof pods into their designs. 

Valtteri Hongisto at the Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland, found that “if you’re doing highly concentration-demanding work, then your performance is reduced by 10% if you are exposed to speech that is intelligible. However, if you don’t hear the words then performance is not reduced at all.”

Without dedicated quiet spaces, employees continue battling distractions, confidential conversations remain difficult, and productivity suffers. Employees deserve a workplace where they can both collaborate and focus.

What Is an Office Pod?

An office pod is a self-contained workspace designed to create a private, quiet environment within a larger office.

Office pods are available in South Africa in various sizes, the smallest being the phone booth pod suitable for a single person. Most modern pods have:

  • a height adjustable standing desk, ergonomic chair or soft seating
  • LED lighting and ventilation
  • electrical plugs and USB ports
  • video conferencing capabilities.

Office pods can be open at one end or completely enclosed and have features like sound absorbing interiors and double-glazed glass to provide acoustic insulation. 

office pods
Telebooth TB-ML Office Pod

Since the COVID pandemic, people have gotten used to working remotely. Although returning to work in the office has allowed employees to better interact and collaborate with their peers, the need to work in peace remains. This is one of the reasons why modern office designs, and even home offices, have started incorporating pods. The most common use for smaller office pods like the Telebooth TB-S, is for phone calls and video conferences, while larger pods are ideal for team meetings and confidential discussions. 

In South Africa, office pods are used as a workstation, a conference room, a soundproof private phone booth, or an annex. 

Office Pod vs Meeting Room: Which Is Better?

For many organisations, office pods provide a practical middle ground between open-plan working and costly renovations.

Feature

Office Pod

Meeting Room

Installation

Fast

Time consuming

Flexibility

Relocatable

Fixed location

Cost

Generally lower

Depends on type

Building Disruption

Lower

Higher

Expansion

Easy to add more

Requires building work

Privacy

High

High

Building approval

None

Possible

A 3-Step Framework - How to Create a More Productive Workplace

Improving workplace focus does not need to involve costly renovations.

Office Pods can deliver exceptional spaces without compromising on style, comfort, or deadlines.

Step 1:
Identify Noise Hotspots

Determine where distractions most frequently occur.

Step 2:
Choose the Right Pod Size

Select a pod that matches how your team works, whether for individual focus or team meetings.

Step 3:
Create Dedicated Quiet Zones

Give employees easy access to spaces where they can concentrate, meet privately and work without interruption.

Why Telebooth Pods Are the Smart Choice

    • They create a discrete space within an open plan office where private calls and video conferences can be held without disturbing others.
    • Telebooth pods block approximately 90% of outside noise so employees can hold calls, attend video meetings and concentrate without being distracted by surrounding office activity.
    • They are extremely flexible. When your office layout changes, your quiet spaces can move with it.
    • No construction or building permits are required to install a pod.
    • Lower cost than creating office cubicles.
    • They can be used as an office for management or even on a factory or warehouse floor.
    • They are designed for real work: not just a phone booth, but a workspace.
    • With many colour options and finishes, the pods can be customised to suit your décor.

Telebooth Office Pods by Karo

Our Telebooth pods are available in various sizes, from the space-efficient TB-S phone booth for individual use, to the spacious 6-person TB-ML meeting room.
Explore the Telebooth range!

Telebooth office pods cut external noise by up to 90%, giving your team a private zone of calm inside even the busiest open-plan workspace.

Double-glazed doors, acoustic panels, and sound-absorbing finishes help concentration without the background noise!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) About Office Pods

a. Are office pods soundproof?

High-quality office pods are not completely soundproof but can significantly reduce external noise through acoustic insulation, double-glazed glass and sound-absorbing materials.

b. How much do office pods cost in South Africa?

Costs vary depending on size, features and acoustic performance. Single-person pods typically cost less than larger meeting pods designed for multiple occupants.

c. Do office pods require building approval?

Office pods typically do not require building approval because they are non-permanent freestanding structures.

d. Can office pods be moved?

Yes. Many office pods are designed to be relocated if your office layout changes.

e. How many people fit in an office pod?

Pods range from single-person phone booths to larger meeting rooms that accommodate six or more people.

The Future You’ll Create

Imagine a workspace where people can concentrate deeply, hold private conversations and collaborate freely, all without fighting for quiet corners. At Karo, we have helped organisations across South Africa create healthier, more productive workspaces through ergonomic furniture and workplace solutions. Our Telebooth range gives businesses a practical way to introduce privacy and focus without costly renovations.

With Telebooth pods, your office becomes a place that supports both focus and togetherness. Investing in the right pod means investing in your team’s productivity, wellbeing and satisfaction. Let us help you make that transformation.

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