Open Plan Vs Office

The Open Plan office has become the norm over the last fifty years and most designers, cost planners and builders start with a concept of a mix of office and open plan in mind. So what is the dilemma?

The diffuculty is that the statistics that support a typical 1:5 mix  of Offices to Open plan are diametrically opposed to staff preferences and many "human" issues:

• Research has shown that communication is more frequent and casual in Open Plan
• Collaboration and a reduction of "silo-ism" is greater in open plan envronments
• Open plan workforces are both easier to change and naturally more flexible
• Open plan offices cost less for building, services, office furniture and usually do not require approvals
• Most tenancies are brought back to an "open plan" certification as leases end

• Research has shown that  most employees at all levels want offices instead of open plan.
• Most middle and senior managers prefer offices in order to handle staff issues, reviews and sensitive discussions.
• Many professions and departments require confidentiality and privacy at a level that excludes use of open plan
• Small-team collaboration can work just as effectively in offices as it can in open plan
• Offices look tidier in document heavy workplaces

 One of our Design Team would be pleased to discuss the costs and benefits of Office and Open Plan options with you as you consider which way to go in planning your new office environment.

Jim Hardy