Open Space Design and Its Features
Relatively recently, in the late XX century, “open offices” have become rather popular. In this case the whole team, often including leadership, work in one or more large rooms. There are no corridors, interior walls and doors. This allows to efficiently use the space and ensure good air conditioning.
Main advantages: fast communication between employees, exchange of ideas.
If the company’s activities are linked to teamwork, tables can be arranged in groups of several pieces so that people working on one and the same task can immediately discuss with each arising questions or options for resolving the problem.
Sometimes, instead of a few tables employees seat at one table. These tables are of different sizes and configurations, ranging from the classic round or large rectangular table to ergonomic and ultramodern ones.
In terms of space utilization the most simple and rational furniture arrangement in the “open office” is when tables are drawn up in long parallel rows, in two rows adjacent to one another, so that people sit face to face.
Usually working areas are separated by partitions. They come in different heights, transparent or deaf, removable or fixed.
Furniture in open offices is usually modern, light and mobile, storage systems are modular. This allows, if necessary, to quickly change the setting in the room. For example, divide the series of tables and make them small “islands”.
Classic cabinets
Closed cabinet can ensure peace, comfort and protection from prying eyes and ears – these benefits are so important that they often outweigh all the advantages of Open Space. In those areas where privacy is important, for example, medical, legal, consulting firms, individual offices are the only option of planning office interior.
Designing mixed type
Combines the features of open-plan offices and cabinets.
For example, in banks operators can work in one large room, and top managers can occupy separate rooms. In some cases when privacy is not too important, rooms are separated not by deaf but by glass walls, which helps avoid the noise, but does not isolate the employee from the team.
Another option of mixed plan: not reaching the ceiling, but rather high walls, creating around the workplace a similarity of small office. Here it is easy to control employees, but they have a great sense of privacy.
