MUTE CREATES A NEW STANDARD FOR MODULAR OFFICE DESIGN
Mute challenges the static nature of traditional office design, introducing a new paradigm where adaptability is embedded into the very structure of the workspace. As companies grow, shrink, or reconfigure their teams, the demand for dynamic workspaces has never been greater. Yet, traditional office layouts — fixed, costly, and time-consuming to update — can no longer keep pace. Mute’s approach to modular design has already garnered the trust of global giants like Meta, Airbnb, and Gensler. In an interview with designboom, Szymon Rychlik, Mute’s CEO, shares his insights on the core principles of adaptability, the journey behind Mute Modular, and his vision for the future of office design.
Mute Modular in UpHill Health Office, Lisbon | image © Emontenegro Architectural Photography | all images courtesy of Mute
AN ANSWER TO EVOLVING workspace DEMANDS
Mute, a company specialized in interior acoustics, has developed a modular system that responds directly to the demands of contemporary office life. Called Mute Modular, the system replaces static interior construction with a room-in-room concept that enables easy, low-impact spatial transformation. It allows for the creation of nearly any space a modern office requires, from conference rooms, hot desking zones, and quiet focus areas to lounges, or social coffee points.
Mute Modular in LinkedIn Office | image © Shai Epstein
IN CONVERSATION WITH SZYMON RYCHLIK, CEO OF MUTE
designboom (DB): The journey of office design has seen numerous shifts, from cubicles to open-plan spaces, each addressing past challenges while introducing new ones. What were the most significant learnings or key takeaways from these historical iterations that informed Mute‘s decision to develop Mute Modular?
Szymon Rychlik (SR): What we’ve learned from this evolution is that neither the total isolation of cubicles nor the full openness of open-plan offices truly supports how people work. The modern workplace must offer a purposeful balance of both — a range of spaces that support deep focus, collaboration, and hybrid meetings. Mute Modular was created to meet this challenge by enabling adaptable, reconfigurable offices that support all work modes in a future-proof, cost-efficient, and sustainable way.
DB: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the world of work towards hybrid setups and new employee expectations around flexibility and working from home. Why do you believe having a physical office space is still profoundly relevant today?
SR: Even in a hybrid world, the physical office remains vital for genuine connection. It’s where collaboration happens naturally, where people build relationships over coffee, exchange ideas, and form the kind of informal bonds that lead to stronger teamwork, higher engagement, and lower turnover. This is why innovative companies like Google, Meta or Nvidia maintain physical hubs. The challenge today is to create environments people genuinely want to be part of — comfortable, valuable, and inspiring spaces that are worth the commute.
with Modular Pods, the same pod size can be arranged and rearranged in hundreds of different ways
DB: Could you tell us about the journey of Mute Modular’s development and launch? What specific market gaps or challenges did Mute aim to address with this adaptable office system?
SR: The idea for Mute Modular came from understanding the simple but pressing challenge that modern offices must meet ever-evolving needs while staying sustainable. We set out to create something more universal than pods and more flexible than traditional drywall solutions: a scalable and customizable space arrangement system. Built from prefabricated modules, it combines the acoustic performance and consistent quality of top-tier pods with the design freedom of conventional methods. Mute Modular was designed for quick, low-impact assembly, allowing offices to be built in hours and reconfigured as easily as a set of Lego bricks.
Mute Modular in Gensler office, Washington DC | image © HGEsch Photography
DB: The term “adaptability” is central to contemporary office design. From Mute’s perspective, what does it mean for an office space to be adaptable?
SR: An adaptable office evolves as teams grow or shrink, projects shift, or workstyles change, without the need for costly renovations, construction waste, or high CO₂ emissions. It’s not about short-term flexibility, like moving a table or adjusting lighting. It’s about creating a space that’s fundamentally designed to change — in size, function, and layout — again and again, without disruption. Our own Warsaw headquarters, built entirely with Mute Modular in just two weeks, serves as a powerful real-world example — a testament to designing spaces that can last longer and adapt over time.
DB: A key advantage of Mute Modular is its flexibility, but on the other hand, the market has been full of products described as flexible or moveable for years. How are adaptable office systems different in this regard?
SR: To me, “Flexibility” has become a buzzword — used so often that it’s lost much of its meaning. We often see companies describe their products as flexible, but in practice, it usually means just moving a product across the room. Mute Modular offers something fundamentally different: architectural-level flexibility. This isn’t about minor tweaks — it’s about the ability to completely change the size, layout, and function of a space. Mute Modular allows you to do that without major costs, without emissions, and whenever needed.
Mute Modular in ELCA Office, Lausanne | image © Florian Amouser
DB: Looking back at Mute’s journey and implementations, could you share a project that you’re personally most proud of? What made that particular project stand out, and what were some of the most rewarding aspects of seeing Mute Modular come to life in that specific context?
The project for Gensler at their Washington, D.C. office stands out. The world’s leading architecture firm believed in our solution so much that they wanted it in their own workspace even before we officially launched in the U.S. They saw it during NeoCon, where Mute Modular received the Gold Award. They loved the idea of flexible, customizable spaces and they used Mute Modular to build a “creative zone” with 12 rooms for teamwork, focused work, and meetings, showcasing a profound trust in our product’s potential.
Mute Office Warsaw | image PION Studio
DB: Mute recently launched its Modular Pods collection. How do these new pods build upon the success and principles of Mute Modular, and what are the key shortcomings or limitations of conventional office pods that Mute aims to explicitly overcome through its adaptable design?
SR: There is a lot to choose from, but let’s start with more ergonomics in space planning. Most manufacturers still offer just 2 to 6 pod variations, assuming that’s enough to cover all needs. Modular Pods break that mold, by offering 30 unique models in 11 sizes, with 0.5-meter increments. This makes it easy to match any office layout and make the most of available space.
Traditional pods also fall short when it comes to customization. Most offer only a selection of finishes and additional accessories. In contrast, Modular Pods can be arranged as freely as a regular room both in look and functionality. With our dedicated Mute Modular furniture system, single pod size can serve as a meeting room, a focus space, or something else entirely. Plus, for the first time, the pod’s wall layout is fully customizable. The user can decide on door placement and each wall configuration — whether it’s solid, transparent, or semi-transparent. That gives users total control over both the design, function, and level of privacy of each unit.
And finally, accessibility. We believe it’s time to move beyond the idea of one, dedicated, “special” pod for people with mobility challenges. Instead, every Modular Pod is designed with inclusion in mind: barrier-free access, no flooring, accessible thresholds, and height-adjustable furniture.
Szymon Rychlik, CEO of Mute
DB: Looking ahead, what is Mute‘s long-term vision for the evolution of office design, and how do you see Mute continuing to innovate?
SR: The keyword that will define the future of office design is adaptability. Our long-term mission is to lead this transformation and redefine the world of interior architecture through adaptability. With our Mute Modular system, we believe we can make true adaptability more accessible. That’s why we’re committed not just to promoting our innovations, but also to educating the market and showcase the powerful potential adaptability brings to the future of workspace design.
project info:
company: Mute | @insta.mute
products: Mute Modudar, Mute Pods
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