Open office environments are increasingly popular these days, as is renovating old mill buildings into office space, but both trends share a common problem: a lot of noise due to fewer walls and bad acoustics.
That’s the issue Scott Harper is trying to solve with Office Sound Solutions in Bedford, which provides acoustic products and services to businesses.
Harper spent the first half of his career as a delivery driver and manager for a regional coffee producer before working at a friend’s office installation company. While on a job one day, the client told Harper it was a shame he didn’t offer anything that would make the office a quieter place to work.
After conducting some research, Harper saw an opportunity in the market. He launched Office Sound Solutions in March to provide installation and customization services for acoustic products, sourcing his materials from three national companies that offer acoustic panels made from fire retardant materials that can be customized for size, color and design. All the tiles are made from up to 85 percent post-consumer waste and are entirely recyclable.
Harper is focusing on working with businesses in NH and Northern Massachusetts. He works with a vendor to offer vector imaging options for businesses that want their logo to appear on one or more acoustic panels.
Harper’s first client was Visiting Angels in Auburn, a nonprofit offering living assistance services. Visiting Angels wanted to improve the acoustics of a small center, family interview room and conference room.
“All these rooms had hard surfaces, tile floors and a lot of open space, none of which is ideal for sound absorption,” says Harper. Since acoustic panels absorb rather than reflect sound, it softens sound in a noisy environment.
Harper is in talks with businesses in Manchester that have offices in Victorian-era buildings. “No matter what side of the wall you’re on, you hear everything,” Harper says of these buildings.
Visit officesoundsolutions.com for more information.
Current Issue - April 2024