Calderdale Council Installs UK’s First Raise&Relocate Phone Booth Pods

Date 31.03.2026 Author: Stuart Jones

Agile, accessible spaces in the heart of a live workplace

Calderdale Council has taken a significant step towards more flexible workplace design with the installation of three AgileAcoustics AgilePOD#9 A Phone Booth-style pods — all featuring our patent-pending Raise&Relocate (R&R) technology.

Installed on Tuesday 24th March at the Council’s Princess Building headquarters in Halifax, the pods are positioned in one of the busiest parts of the building — a reception area adjacent to a main colleague walkway — putting both their acoustic performance and real-world usability to the test from day one.

A Step Towards Space-Adjustable Workplaces

The Calderdale Council installation is another milestone in the development of what we describe as space-adjustable furniture — environments that can physically adapt as organisations evolve.

For public sector organisations in particular, this offers:

  • Greater long-term value from workplace investments

  • Reduced need for costly relocations or refits

  • The ability to test and refine layouts in real time

Interested in Seeing Raise&Relocate in Action?

Following successful installations in both central and local government environments, we are now inviting organisations to host future demonstrations.

If you’re exploring more agile, inclusive ways to use your workspace, we’d love to talk.

Real Innovation in a Live Environment

Rather than trialling the pods in a quiet corner, Calderdale Council made the deliberate decision to install them in a high-traffic, highly visible space.

This creates immediate value:

  • Providing accessible, private spaces exactly where they’re needed most

  • Demonstrating strong acoustic performance in a busy environment

  • Showcasing how workplace furniture can sit confidently within open, active settings

The AgilePOD#9 A Phone Booth pods are designed for focused work, calls, and moments of privacy — making them a natural fit for transitional spaces like receptions and shared circulation areas.

Designed for Flexibility — Without Compromise

One of the key advantages of Raise&Relocate is that it maintains everything you would expect from a high-performance acoustic pod, including:

  • Excellent sound insulation

  • Clear audibility of critical alerts such as fire alarms

  • Level access with no subfloor for inclusive use

  • User-controlled lighting and ventilation

This ensures the pods remain fully aligned with inclusive design principles, while adding a layer of flexibility that traditional pods simply cannot offer.

A Forward-Thinking Client

The project was led by John Catanach, Lead Technical FM at Calderdale Council, and his team — who have a strong interest in design and acoustic innovation.

From the outset, they recognised the potential of Raise&Relocate to solve a common workplace challenge: how to introduce private, acoustic spaces without fixing them permanently into the layout.

Their feedback following installation has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the ability to relocate the pods as requirements evolve.

They were also keen to be early adopters — becoming one of the first organisations in the UK to introduce Raise&Relocate pods into their estate.

Rethinking Workplace Furniture

What this installation demonstrates is a simple but powerful shift in thinking.

Instead of asking:
“Where should this pod go?”

We can now ask:
“Where should this pod be today?”

Raise&Relocate moves acoustic pods away from being static assets and towards becoming part of a responsive, adaptable workplace.