Open Space Offices: Advantages and Disadvantages
30 September 2013
Read by 2049 persons
In companies, the trend is towards open-plan offices. Space saving and conviviality are the main arguments used to justify the choice of open space. However, this office layout also has disadvantages.
Definition of open space
Open space or "open-plan office" is an increasingly common workspace layout in companies.
As the name suggests, it involves "opening" offices by removing partitions. With this layout, gone are the days of individual offices and "everyone in their own corner": spaces are shared and equipment is shared.
This open office concept is the heir to the landscaped offices designed by Germans Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle in the 1950s.
Today, 60% of French companies are reportedly set up as open-plan offices.
Advantages of open space
If more and more companies are adopting open space, it is primarily to save space and make better use of square meters, particularly in the Paris region and large cities. This layout can save between 10 and 40% of space.
Proponents of open offices recognize the following advantages:
• space saving
• more conviviality on a daily basis
• better communication (speed and ease of exchanges)
• better responsiveness.
Disadvantages of open space
While the choice of open space is cost-effective in terms of space, it is not always easy for employees to live with. According to an Ipsos survey conducted in January 2011, 51% of employees suffer from working conditions in open-plan offices, and in particular from noise.
This workspace layout is controversial because it has several disadvantages:
• it is noisy in the case of poor soundproofing (phone calls, comings and goings)
• it lacks privacy
• it gives the feeling of being watched by colleagues
• it hinders concentration and reduces productivity
• it gives each employee a more restricted and impersonal "living space" (8 square meters on average).
According to its detractors, open space is an additional stress factor for employees, as it facilitates surveillance and competition between employees.
Note: The book "L'Open Space m'a tuer" by Alexandre des Isnards and Thomas Zuber, published by Hachette Littérature, humorously addresses the downsides of open offices.
Towards a more humane open space
Open space therefore has its advantages and disadvantages. In the end, working in this type of office requires a minimum of discipline and respect for colleagues. This implies, for example, tidying up one's desk so as not to "invade" others and not speaking too loudly.
Some companies are finding solutions:
• a density limited to ten people per office
• meeting rooms and small booths for individual appointments and personal calls
• soundproofed and well-designed spaces (with storage, furniture and movable partitions)
• good air conditioning
• good lighting
• shared living rules.
Gralon.net
Posted on September 30, 2013.
Definition of open space
Open space or "open-plan office" is an increasingly common workspace layout in companies.
As the name suggests, it involves "opening" offices by removing partitions. With this layout, gone are the days of individual offices and "everyone in their own corner": spaces are shared and equipment is shared.
This open office concept is the heir to the landscaped offices designed by Germans Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle in the 1950s.
Today, 60% of French companies are reportedly set up as open-plan offices.
Advantages of open space
If more and more companies are adopting open space, it is primarily to save space and make better use of square meters, particularly in the Paris region and large cities. This layout can save between 10 and 40% of space.
Proponents of open offices recognize the following advantages:
• space saving
• more conviviality on a daily basis
• better communication (speed and ease of exchanges)
• better responsiveness.
Disadvantages of open space
While the choice of open space is cost-effective in terms of space, it is not always easy for employees to live with. According to an Ipsos survey conducted in January 2011, 51% of employees suffer from working conditions in open-plan offices, and in particular from noise.
This workspace layout is controversial because it has several disadvantages:
• it is noisy in the case of poor soundproofing (phone calls, comings and goings)
• it lacks privacy
• it gives the feeling of being watched by colleagues
• it hinders concentration and reduces productivity
• it gives each employee a more restricted and impersonal "living space" (8 square meters on average).
According to its detractors, open space is an additional stress factor for employees, as it facilitates surveillance and competition between employees.
Note: The book "L'Open Space m'a tuer" by Alexandre des Isnards and Thomas Zuber, published by Hachette Littérature, humorously addresses the downsides of open offices.
Towards a more humane open space
Open space therefore has its advantages and disadvantages. In the end, working in this type of office requires a minimum of discipline and respect for colleagues. This implies, for example, tidying up one's desk so as not to "invade" others and not speaking too loudly.
Some companies are finding solutions:
• a density limited to ten people per office
• meeting rooms and small booths for individual appointments and personal calls
• soundproofed and well-designed spaces (with storage, furniture and movable partitions)
• good air conditioning
• good lighting
• shared living rules.
Gralon.net
Posted on September 30, 2013.
