DIY Headquarters

What does the evolution of the open office sound like?

DIY Headquarters

Office environments in particular present unique challenges for human coexistence. Since the advent of open offices, sound is cited as a top complaint. To work on this challenge, architect Nicolas Sowers worked out of an office he designed for over a year.

Detail view of the DIY countertop made with baltic birch plywood

One of the products of working in the office was a “sound dome” in the middle of the office. Transducers mounted to the polycarbonate panels diffused a selection of ambient sound patterns, producing a space beneath which masked conversations and provided an antidote to the cacophony of open office life.

Timbre designed and fabricated the sound dome. Architect Nicolas Sowers organized the DIY staff in a communal barn-raising with the dome in lieu of the barn.

Axonometric drawing of the DIY dome being assembled and then raised in the air on cables

Listen to the sounds of the DIY Headquarters, if only to remind yourself how well small sounds can carry in a large open space:

The build-out also included a video production room where DIY staff could produce instructional videos for kids. Timbre advised on the acoustic design and delineated the proper layout of sound absorbing panels.

Location: San Francisco, CA
Year Built: 2014
Project Team
Architect: Nicolas Sowers
Builder: Stellalux Construction