How to humanize your open space?
31 March 2009
Read by 2307 persons
Problem #1 of open spaces: noise. Luckily, there are sound-absorbing materials like acoustic ceilings and foam partitions.
The Workplace Environment Show opens its doors today. It's a chance to revisit open spaces, often criticized by employees as noisy and stressful. However, these open spaces can be fulfilling, provided their design is well thought-out. Here's some advice.
These will be the stars of the Workplace Environment Show, SISEG, opening Tuesday at the Porte de Versailles. Alexandre des Isnards and Thomas Zuber created a major literary buzz with the release of their book "Open Space Killed Me," which sold 31,000 copies. They have, admittedly, clearly sparked a debate.
On one hand, business leaders praise these open spaces, appreciating the resulting space savings and encouragement of teamwork. Employees, on the other hand, complain about the noise and stress generated by the excessive proximity. However, it is possible to humanize an open space by avoiding the two common negative examples: vast open areas housing a hundred employees, or very crowded spaces. Here are some suggestions.
How to intelligently arrange workstations?
In addition to noise, stress is caused by proximity. "We must fight against the feeling of being seen and watching everyone," suggests Elisabeth Pelegrin-Genel, a work psychologist. For example, by arranging computer screens so that everyone doesn't see each other's screens. "People generally prefer to be face-to-face," notes the work psychologist. To restore intimacy to a shared space, it's good to break up the volume of a room with storage furniture or slightly frosted glass partitions. "Employees then have the feeling of being in their own bubble," explains Jacques de Fontgalland, manager of A.R.T. Réalisations, an interior architect.
Furthermore, it is recommended to manage walkways so that they are not too close to desks. "For example, using different floor colors to keep people on certain traffic routes," suggests Elisabeth Pelegrin-Genel. The placement of the photocopier and printer is thus strategic to minimize movement. It is advisable to place them in central locations. Also, be careful with fluorescent lighting, which creates an industrial atmosphere. Michel Lagrave, business director at AOS Studley, suggests "varying direct and indirect lighting to create different moods."
Can noise be minimized?
Yes, there's no shortage of solutions on the market. In general, it's necessary to create sound-absorbing materials that retain noise pollution. For example, thick ceilings or acoustic ceilings will be more satisfactory than fiber tile ceilings. "There are also foam partitions covered with fabric that absorb voice frequencies," says Jacques de Fontgalland. Similarly, it proves effective to place storage furniture between desks, acting as sound traps. Special carpets and tapestries are also available.
Other solutions include purchasing specially designed equipment. Some high-tech offices have acoustic baffles, a kind of vertical or horizontal panel attached to the ceiling, possibly with integrated spotlights. Two companies (Soft DB and Environment Acoustics) offer sound masking devices that also fit into the ceiling: they generate a barely audible sound that masks background noise. "These devices have existed for about a dozen years in the United States. They are particularly effective for large spaces," notes Jacques de Fontgalland.
Small businesses with limited budgets can turn to a much more economical option by addressing the source of the problem. This involves promoting the adoption of codes of conduct within the team, such as learning not to speak loudly, keeping the volume of their ringtones as low as possible... Obvious but effective.
Are enclosed spaces necessary?
Yes. They are essential for team meetings, long phone calls, tasks requiring high concentration... "Make sure these boxes are comfortable, considering their air conditioning, ventilation and internet connection," advises Michel Lagrave. He also suggests creating open private spaces, away from the heart of the open space, separated for example by partitions or storage units. "To have enough, you need one box or private space for every twenty employees," specifies this consultant. There are also cubicle chairs, with armrests that go up and isolate the person.
How many people can an open space accommodate?
"Twenty people maximum," advises Philippe Meurice, CEO of DEGW. And it is better to group together all the people from the same team. "It is indeed recognized that employees accept more easily the noise generated by colleagues with whom they work," says Philippe Meurice.
Fabien Fournier
Posted on March 31, 2009
lefigaro.fr
The Workplace Environment Show opens its doors today. It's a chance to revisit open spaces, often criticized by employees as noisy and stressful. However, these open spaces can be fulfilling, provided their design is well thought-out. Here's some advice.
These will be the stars of the Workplace Environment Show, SISEG, opening Tuesday at the Porte de Versailles. Alexandre des Isnards and Thomas Zuber created a major literary buzz with the release of their book "Open Space Killed Me," which sold 31,000 copies. They have, admittedly, clearly sparked a debate.
On one hand, business leaders praise these open spaces, appreciating the resulting space savings and encouragement of teamwork. Employees, on the other hand, complain about the noise and stress generated by the excessive proximity. However, it is possible to humanize an open space by avoiding the two common negative examples: vast open areas housing a hundred employees, or very crowded spaces. Here are some suggestions.
How to intelligently arrange workstations?
In addition to noise, stress is caused by proximity. "We must fight against the feeling of being seen and watching everyone," suggests Elisabeth Pelegrin-Genel, a work psychologist. For example, by arranging computer screens so that everyone doesn't see each other's screens. "People generally prefer to be face-to-face," notes the work psychologist. To restore intimacy to a shared space, it's good to break up the volume of a room with storage furniture or slightly frosted glass partitions. "Employees then have the feeling of being in their own bubble," explains Jacques de Fontgalland, manager of A.R.T. Réalisations, an interior architect.
Furthermore, it is recommended to manage walkways so that they are not too close to desks. "For example, using different floor colors to keep people on certain traffic routes," suggests Elisabeth Pelegrin-Genel. The placement of the photocopier and printer is thus strategic to minimize movement. It is advisable to place them in central locations. Also, be careful with fluorescent lighting, which creates an industrial atmosphere. Michel Lagrave, business director at AOS Studley, suggests "varying direct and indirect lighting to create different moods."
Can noise be minimized?
Yes, there's no shortage of solutions on the market. In general, it's necessary to create sound-absorbing materials that retain noise pollution. For example, thick ceilings or acoustic ceilings will be more satisfactory than fiber tile ceilings. "There are also foam partitions covered with fabric that absorb voice frequencies," says Jacques de Fontgalland. Similarly, it proves effective to place storage furniture between desks, acting as sound traps. Special carpets and tapestries are also available.
Other solutions include purchasing specially designed equipment. Some high-tech offices have acoustic baffles, a kind of vertical or horizontal panel attached to the ceiling, possibly with integrated spotlights. Two companies (Soft DB and Environment Acoustics) offer sound masking devices that also fit into the ceiling: they generate a barely audible sound that masks background noise. "These devices have existed for about a dozen years in the United States. They are particularly effective for large spaces," notes Jacques de Fontgalland.
Small businesses with limited budgets can turn to a much more economical option by addressing the source of the problem. This involves promoting the adoption of codes of conduct within the team, such as learning not to speak loudly, keeping the volume of their ringtones as low as possible... Obvious but effective.
Are enclosed spaces necessary?
Yes. They are essential for team meetings, long phone calls, tasks requiring high concentration... "Make sure these boxes are comfortable, considering their air conditioning, ventilation and internet connection," advises Michel Lagrave. He also suggests creating open private spaces, away from the heart of the open space, separated for example by partitions or storage units. "To have enough, you need one box or private space for every twenty employees," specifies this consultant. There are also cubicle chairs, with armrests that go up and isolate the person.
How many people can an open space accommodate?
"Twenty people maximum," advises Philippe Meurice, CEO of DEGW. And it is better to group together all the people from the same team. "It is indeed recognized that employees accept more easily the noise generated by colleagues with whom they work," says Philippe Meurice.
Fabien Fournier
Posted on March 31, 2009
lefigaro.fr
