Open Plan Office Space for Maximum productivity

Throughout history open-plan office design has been with us, from basic typing pools and pay office staff to what is now a high end space that is both open and private, incorporates the latest technologies and green attributes, making the space comfortable, easy to work in and offering the ability to access private areas when required.

Open plan used to be for “workers” with management and directors working in hallowed halls with private offices that “workers” seldom dared to enter. In the open-plan office of the 21st century staff members are seen as team members whose opinions are valued. Management styles have flattened out and instructions are not always top down but collaborative with the intention to satisfy a customer or client. Lets face it, your customers first introduction to your company is likely to be someone in a call-centre or in a sales/administration position that works in an open-plan working environment.

Notable changes in response to evolving workplace trends, employee preferences, and advancements in technology have resulted in exciting changes.

Flexibility

Open-plan offices have embraced the essence of flexibility in both layout and furniture design. Rather than rigid, fixed layouts, office spaces have incorporate modular furniture, movable partitions and flexible spaces that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate different work activities like meetings and or single work stations all in the same office space. Creation of “chill rooms” or silent pods to take calls or engage on a one on one level with a colleague are common place in highly efficient office designs today.

The ability to be flexible supports agile working practices and allows organizations to adapt to changing requirements more easily, making the environment effective, whatever the need.

Integration of Privacy Solutions

Open-plan office layouts promote collaboration and communication. They can sometimes lack privacy for tasks that require concentration or confidentiality and have resulted in modern open-plan design ideas which now incorporate a variety of privacy solutions. Acoustic panels are often incorporated into call centre cubicles, phone booths for private calls are often used and quiet zones that allow you to collaborate or think in a quiet, private space where employees can work without distractions or interruptions.

Private rooms or at least incorporating some privacy features help strike a balance between collaboration and individual focus within the open-plan environment.

Staff Well-being

Recognizing the importance of employee well-being and comfort, contemporary open-plan offices prioritize ergonomic furniture, natural lighting and indoor greenery to create a healthier and more pleasant workspace. Design elements such as Height adjustable and standing desks, comfortable seating options for both workstations and relaxation areas. Productivity is the heart of most office interior design ideas and the adage “happy wife, happy life” comes to mind. “Happy staff, happy clients” and happy clients are loyal clients.

Clients that see how you value your clients and the environment can be an extremely strong factor when considering doing business with your company.

Technology Integration

A Suite of digital tools and technology in the workplace is now commonplace and the challenge of incorporating technology into open-plan office designs has evolved to accommodate the needs of modern work practices. Advanced audiovisual tools for remote meetings and presentations is a necessity, wireless charging stations and seamless connectivity solutions to support collaboration, communication, and productivity. Remote and hybrid work models are a reality that some companies have embraced and other have found to be quite challenging to implement effectively. We have found that with the incorporation of video conferencing facilities and virtual collaboration tools into open-plan office designs to facilitate seamless communication between in-office and remote team members has lead to a fundamental shift in management thinking. Trust is of the essence and employees by and large are just as productive, if not more productive in a hybrid or remote work situation.

It is interesting to note that in many studies conducted since the pandemic, the opportunity to work from home on a few days a week/month is high up on job seekers list of important factors.

While individual workstations remain essential, contemporary open-plan offices place a greater emphasis on creating dedicated collaboration spaces where employees can come together for brainstorming sessions, team meetings, and informal interactions. These collaboration zones often feature comfortable seating, writable surfaces, and multimedia capabilities to foster creativity, innovation, and knowledge sharing among colleagues.

Inclusive Design Practices

As awareness of diversity and inclusion in the workplace grows, open-plan office designs have become more inclusive and accessible. This includes considerations such as providing wheelchair-accessible workstations, incorporating adjustable furniture to accommodate employees of different heights and abilities, and ensuring that the layout facilitates easy navigation for individuals with mobility challenges.

Let us help with your space planning and office furniture selection to maximise the workflow in your open plan office space. We take particular care to incorporate natural light, low voltage lighting solutions and innovative design principles to create spaces that are comfortable, productive and inclusive. We look forward to working with you to redesign your office space or design your space for your new premises.