Cochlear: How Hearing Medical Device Company Reshapes the Office Acoustic Environment

When Listening Becomes the Spatial Expression of Corporate Culture

As a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear has always been dedicated to helping hearing-impaired patients rebuild their world of sound. With over 700,000 implantable hearing devices provided worldwide and products sold in more than 180 countries/regions, the acoustic environment of the office space is not only a functional requirement but also an extension of its brand philosophy.

In this project, NOVAH deeply integrated open collaboration and inclusive design concepts to create a modern office space for Cochlear's Beijing branch that prioritizes human-centricity and attention to the acoustic environment. This project not only meets the multifaceted functional needs of the company in sales, technical training, and customer service, but also responds to employees' dual demands for focus and communication quality in an open office environment through systematic acoustic intervention strategies.

Acoustic Challenges in Open-Plan Offices and Effective Mitigation Strategies

The Beijing office of Cochlear serves multiple critical functions, including medical device sales, technical support, client communication, and internal training. These operational scenarios demand frequent transitions between collaboration and focused work, placing high expectations on the acoustic performance of the space—particularly in open-plan areas, which are the primary workspace and significantly influence employee productivity and overall experience.

To address these challenges, NOVAH implemented a three-pronged design strategy combining modular collaborative pods, sound-absorbing materials, and visual separation elements. This integrated approach enables effective control of acoustic disturbances while creating a series of functionally differentiated acoustic zones within the open environment.

The Cabana Single supports temporary individual work and private calls, offering an isolated sound field and privacy protection. The FourReal unit, paired with the FourSure77, facilitates agile transitions from brainstorming sessions to team discussions, accommodating diverse collaborative modes. Meanwhile, the FourUs semi-private lounge, featuring an enclosed acoustic structure with sound-absorbing materials, is ideal for confidential conversations and effectively blocks ambient office noise. These dynamically distributed collaboration units achieve a harmonious balance between acoustic control and interactive exchange.

The Cluster benching workstations, complemented by desk-mounted screens, not only delineate more private workspaces within an open environment but also leverage the sound-absorbing properties of the screens to effectively reduce the reverberation levels throughout the space, enhancing speech clarity. Additionally, the diverse screen system creates acoustic barriers between clusters of workstations, minimizing sound interference from adjacent areas. This approach achieves a balance between focus and collaboration.

For technically demanding roles that require deep concentration, the Crossover high-screen partition system creates dedicated quiet zones, effectively shielding employees from conversation noise and visual distractions in the open-plan area, thereby better supporting the completion of precision tasks.

In addition, the executive offices are located at the periphery of the open-plan area and feature sound-insulated transparent glass partitions. This design maintains visual openness while preserving spatial fluidity. The space integrates writable whiteboards and multi-seat configurations to support small-scale collaborative exchanges, thereby further enhancing the organization’s decision-making and operational efficiency.

Diversified Configuration and Scenario Adaptation of Meeting Room Systems

In corporate environments that heavily rely on information exchange, meeting rooms serve as central hubs for information dissemination, team collaboration, and client communication. NOVAH has equipped Cochlear's Beijing office with a variety of meeting room systems of different sizes and functional orientations to meet diverse collaborative needs.

The Molo conference table supports folding, mobility, and free reconfiguration, enabling seamless transitions from small group discussions to executive meetings. This adaptability, combined with ease of use, makes it an ideal solution for dynamic work environments. The Focus island-shaped conference table, through its visually focused design, ensures zero interference during content presentations, enhancing the effectiveness of communication between presenters and participants. Additionally, the Campers discussion tables and FourSure11 configurations located in the reception area efficiently accommodate visitor interactions and quick collaborations, facilitating smooth and effective engagement.

Space as a Vessel for Philosophy

When the precision acoustics of cochlear implant technology are integrated into the logic of spatial design, NOVAH and Cochlear have together realized a spatial experiment centered around "listening." We believe that a professional organization truly dedicated to sound should reflect its respect and understanding of acoustics through its working environment. In this space—quiet, comfortable, and considerate of interpersonal interaction—employees can focus deeply and communicate effectively. This expertise and care for sound extend from the product into the architecture itself, permeating every corner of the space. This is not only a spatial practice of hearing, but also an exploration of respect—expressed through design.