Why empty seats make quiet zones a focus paradise

Nobody heads to the public library for the buzz of a crowd—quiet contemplation is more the vibe. Turns out, office libraries designed for deep focus aren’t much different.

One Density client couldn’t figure out why their carefully crafted library spaces hovered around 40% utilization (2 out of 5 seats filled). They’d expected these quiet zones to be highly sought-after reprieves from more “buzzing” neighborhoods. Should they even build libraries at all, they wondered. With such low utilization, how’d they convince the finance team they were a worthwhile investment?

Think about your own library habits. Do you intentionally squeeze yourself between strangers? Of course not! You want room to spread out—laptop here, bag over there, snacks tucked away (we won’t say anything) and plenty of elbow space.

Office libraries follow the same logic. Sensor data revealed something interesting: Utilization hovered around 40% precisely because employees sought out "non-adjacent" seating. They preferred breathing room, and as a result, stuck around longer to get actual work done. When utilization peaked at 90%, people stayed for a shorter period, often less than half an hour.

Another fun find: Desks where people could comfortably settle in for a longer haul, with screens and ergonomic seating, saw more use than booths or nooks.

And guess what? The client is now totally on board. The finance and design teams are now totally aligned that lower utilization rates for these spaces is optimal. It means higher focus, happier employees, and—bonus—far fewer shushing incidents.

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