The Dutch Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment have acquired acoustic furniture for their open-plan offices in The Hague starting from 2022. Units have been delivered on several occasions between 2022 and 2026. sshhh 1, sshhh 2 and sshhh 4 — workspace for one, meeting room for two, and meeting room for four.
Repeated deliveries are the most essential information for this reference. The first acquisition indicates that the product convinced during the bidding phase. Additional orders made over four years indicate that it performed well in use.
Why were they acquired
The situation was the same in both ministries; In the open-plan office, there was no place to retreat for a confidential discussion or video meeting, and no new rooms could be built.
“Open-plan offices did not have the possibility for additional spaces where one could have one-on-one discussions or video calls.” BS Workspace Solutions
What solved the problem
“There was too much noise in open-plan offices. Because the units are upholstered, they improve acoustics.” BS Workspace Solutions
This is where the furniture differs from a booth. The upholstered exterior also dampens sound to the surrounding space, not just in and out. A unit placed in an open-plan office therefore also improves the acoustics of the space in which it is placed.
All three models are 1830 mm high — over 40 centimeters lower than the industry's most common booth height. They fit under air conditioning ducts and suspended ceilings, and the view over the room is maintained.
What followed from that
Ministries receive visitors who see the units in use. Interested parties are directed to Evavaara Design's Dutch partner.
The client therefore not only continues to use and order more, but also recommends them further.
Case details
| Clients | Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment |
|---|---|
| Location | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Space | open-plan offices |
| Products | sshhh 1, sshhh 2, sshhh 4 |
| Deliveries | 2022–2026, on several occasions |
| Partner | BS Workspace Solutions, Zoetermeer |
Information and comments: BS Workspace Solutions, Evavaara Design's Dutch partner, who supplied the units.