Sounds of silence: Rhythmanalysis of noise in flexible workspaces

Abstract

Silence and noise have become an important theme that emerges in studies of collective workspaces.Drawing on an ethnographic field study of a major bank in Paris, this study offers a rhythmanalysis ofnoise in the context of flexible offices. Findings center noise rhythms as an unfolding in time-space thatinvolves an interlaced relationship between order, and alternations of harmony and conflict. Thesefindings reflect the relational ontological nature of noise and add to a multiplicity perspective on spacein organization studie