Call box, booth or pod? The basics explained
The differences briefly explained so you know exactly which solution is for what.
In the world of hybrid working, terminology dazzles us: call box, phone booth, booth, pod. They are often used randomly, and not every supplier uses the same meaning. In this magazine, we use the following definitions so that it is immediately clear what we are talking about:
- Call box / Phone booth
The smallest variant: compact, quiet and ideal for short phone calls or quick video calls. A call booth takes up little space, but provides a lot of peace and quiet. Thanks to acoustic walls, the sound inside and outside remains pleasantly controlled. Call boxes are plug-and-play: they can easily be placed, moved or even taken with you when you move. This way, you bring focus areas exactly where they are needed at that moment.
- Booth
A booth is slightly more spacious than a call box and often designed for one or two people. Perfect for short consultations, an online meeting or a moment of concentrated work.
Booths combine acoustic quality with comfort. They are available in different sizes and finishes, making it easy to match the style of the office. Their biggest advantage? Flexibility. A booth is not a fixed space, but a moveable solution that can grow with the organization. Today a focus spot, tomorrow a consultation zone without having to place or demolish a wall.
- Pod
The collective term for enclosed workspaces of all sizes. From single focus pods with a desk to larger pods for four to six people, where teams can meet, brainstorm or collaborate in peace.
Pods offer the benefits of permanent meeting rooms, but without the limitations. They require no construction work, are easily reconfigured and can be moved easily when the layout changes. Thus, pods are increasingly becoming a replacement of traditional walls flexible, sustainable and future-proof.
What they have in common?
They provide peace, privacy and flexibility in the workplace. They make the office more agile and prevent meeting rooms from being unnecessarily occupied by one person seeking silence.
In short: call boxes, booths and pods are the building blocks of a modern hybrid office.
To create a work environment for the ultimate work experience for employees, there is still much (office) ground to cover, say researchers at Leesman (2024). So we are in a transition period where we cannot optimize our work happiness in both workplaces - office and home. Going to the office is good for socializing, but we also want to be able to call and work individually in silence. To avoid going back to the 90s’ where everyone has their own cubical or room, an office can actually be designed that creates the best mix for sparring with colleagues, working at a nice desk and making (video) calls in silence. The office simply has to meet the needs of all employees present.
