Inside Meta's Innovative Solution to Tackle Noisy Office Environments

The point was completely missed and timing was oblivious.

Given the current economic downturn, shifting employee priorities, and the emergence of new remote work tools, the appeal of returning to a physical office, even one as quiet as "The Cube," is downright ugly. 

It's ironic that the new invention is called "The Cube." 

It's possible to give Meta the benefit of the doubt and suggest that it's merely bad timing, but the reality is that the company is out of touch with the current situation. In fact, it seems like a rather obtuse move.

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Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, is developing a new solution to address the challenge of noisy office spaces. The company is rolling out a noise-canceling cubicle called "The Cube," which is designed to absorb sound from multiple directions and provide workers with uninterrupted, heads-down work. The Cube is similar to soundproof, echo-free anechoic chambers and offers a cocoon-like environment for employees.

Meta's decision to explore solutions for noisy office environments comes as many workplaces are adjusting to the hybrid era of work. The company invited 10 groups of architects, design firms, and furniture manufacturers to build a new office setup, with the goal of solving the noisiness that comes from increased video calls and other office interactions. Seven of the groups completed the task, and the resulting prototypes were displayed in a lab for six months, so employees could try them out.

The Cube was created in response to Meta's desire to create an environment that would allow for more focus in the open office. Unlike traditional cubicles, it doesn't have fixed dimensions, and three of its sides curve alongside a desktop. The fourth wall, the size of a classroom whiteboard, is unattached and can be moved closer or further away from the desk to block noise and provide privacy. The Cube is made of felt-like recycled PET plastic designed to soak up reverberations and reduce sound levels by about 20 decibels.

The company is also testing an audio moodscape system that plays sounds in the background, such as waves crashing and footsteps on pebbles, to further obscure and suppress noise. Meta has also installed more carpet and acoustic ceiling tiles to help quiet spaces, and employees can use noise-canceling headphones for greater isolation.

Meta has already ordered 7,000 Cubes and has begun distributing them to 22 locations worldwide. About 10% of Meta's spaces will feature the Cube, and employees can reserve them when needed. The company is already working on future iterations of the Cube, testing new colors and patterns, such as a wood-grain look, and working with multiple manufacturers to roll out the Cube globally.

The Cube has already had a positive impact on Meta's meeting rooms, reducing the strain on these spaces and allowing employees to focus on meaningful, focused work. 

As workplaces continue to evolve, solutions like the Cube may become an increasingly important part of office design.