From the traditional office space to the open space
The new year has begun and with it all the new projects, it is therefore time for change and renewal. Why not start this transformation from your office? Is it better to choose a traditional office or an open space?
In the past twenty years, the transformation that has taken place in the world of work and in the way of working and conceiving productivity has inevitably also influenced the environment and work spaces.
From traditional offices, we initially moved to large rooms divided into narrower spaces and then to “open space” offices or offices of large surfaces without partition walls, which are shared by colleagues. The “open space” model spread at the beginning of the 21th century and was conceived to improve relations between colleagues and foster a rapprochement between employees and office managers, help team building and promote the sharing of skills, knowledge and exchange of ideas.
Today, however, the “open space” office model has been surpassed and challenged by research results: a 2008 study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management had already highlighted how open workplaces reduced productivity and increased employee stress levels.
Another recent study by the University of Sydney has confirmed that in companies with open workspaces the main causes of dissatisfaction and frustration are the noise of electronic equipment such as printers, keyboards, scanners, bells of all kinds; the constant interruptions and the lack of privacy. Just the lack of privacy if on the one hand promotes exchanges and conversations between employees, on the other hand favors useless and time-wasting conversations.
Even another recent study demonstrates how working in barrier-free spaces reduces the rate of collaboration between employees, disadvantaging interpersonal relationships between colleagues and indeed encouraging isolation.
Many managers believe that this type of environment allows them to have superior control over their subordinates, but on the other hand, we must deal with the noise pollution that is created. The higher the noise, the lower the control capacity.
The solution and the new trend: the hybrid office
Over the years, some American companies have found some solutions to make everyone agree and by opting for office models that balance the closed and open spaces to guarantee employees the availability of different environments or “hybrid” spaces.
The transformation in the work spaces is the result of awareness of the different needs during the performance of the various work activities.
In this way, employees will no longer have their own desk but depending on the work they have to do they can independently change their work environment and opt for the space that best suits their needs.
Ideally, the hybrid office of a large company should include open spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and smaller, isolated and soundproofed spaces: in this way it is possible to meet everyone’s needs. Both when it is time for collaboration, comparison and discussion; both when you need privacy, concentration and silence.
In addition, it would be useful to have spaces dedicated to socialization such as a common kitchen or a coffee area to ensure small areas of decompression and relax during the working day. So what are you waiting for? It’s time for change, come and visit us and discover our products for your hybrid office.
