As you know, for each of us "good" can mean something completely different. It is a matter of our personal tastes, health personality and character. The dynamic development of office spaces raises newer and newer questions about what an everyone-friendly space should actually look like. How to reconcile efficient communication between the team, and the need for privacy of individual employees. Open or closed? What impact does the need for hybrid work have on office space design?
Opening
The history of open office space dates back to 1906, when architect Frank Lloyd Wright was tempted to theorize that walls and the division of office space into rooms actually served no good purpose. He believed that an open office space was conducive to freeing up thoughts, as well as getting rid of boundaries between employees. The innovative approach to office arrangement changed in 1950 with the German architectural group Quickborner. They proposed separating individual desks from each other with a small wall. This was a substitute for privacy and provided at least minimal, but nevertheless comfortable workspace.
In Poland, the beginning of such an arrangement of office space was in the 1990s, when large international corporations came to Poland. With their arrival, the previously known perception of offices changed. It was also at this time that glass partition walls appeared in offices.
The open office space was mostly expected to benefit employees. Arguably, it fosters a relaxed exchange of ideas and group work. It improves communication and relationship between employees. However, it imposes the same working conditions on every employee. This is related to temperature, the amount and source of light, and what we deal with the worst - noise.
The approach to arranging office space is dynamically changing over the years. Regardless of architectural trends or aesthetic determinants, offices should meet one basic principle, they should be a friendly space that supports the functioning of employees.
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Comfort research
Research in the field of open-space comfort has been conducted more than once in the Netherlands. Researchers there have confirmed the fact that such an interior is not conducive to creative work. They documented what open space employees have known for a long time - the top-down setting of temperature, light levels and sound levels in open plan offices serve no one. With the popularity of these types of offices, it happens that any changes directly affecting the employee's working conditions are not possible. Without a doubt, employees who do not have the ability to modify their working conditions work less productively.
New standards
The brand new reality of pandemic-induced office work has imposed us to enter a different reality as before. Hybrid operation has accustomed employees to working in their own four corners, which provide comfort and privacy. The return from such reality to classic office work has proven to be a challenge not only for employees, but also for office space managers.
Research in the field of proxemics is helping to guide the adaptation process to radical changes regarding personal space upon return to the office. This science conditions the mutual influence of spatial relations between individuals and between individuals and the material environment on psychological relations. In the current situation, it is necessary to redefine our understanding of personal space - both our own and ours in relation to others. It is necessary to take care of the appropriate personal distances in such a way that the office is conducive to all its users.
It is also worth remembering that offices are spaces where different personality types meet, from withdrawn introverts to happy extroverts.
It is for the latter personality that open space offices are the ideal solution. Experts point to the advantages of this type of solution for people who derive energy from contact with others. Introverts, however, need individual space. Constant interaction with other employees quickly makes them tired not only physically, but especially mentally, and consequently their work efficiency is minimal. A bold and arguably beneficial solution for both groups is to divide the space. What solutions should be chosen to best suit the needs of office users?
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The issue of silence
One of the biggest drawbacks of open space offices is arguably noise. The constant hustle and bustle, the sounds coming from the surroundings make it sometimes borderline impossible to achieve full focus on the work at hand. Especially when we add to all this phone calls. This is an element that is unfavorable not only to the listener, but also to the caller. A person who often conducts telephone negotiations or arrangements will probably need a private space for this type of work. Here telephone booths - smaller or larger rooms with preserved high acoustic walls - become an ideal solution. These booths are often separated from the open space, and the guarantee of silence inside is the construction of glass walls with high acoustic insulation. This solution also occurs in the version of a classic telephone booth. It is not only an employee-friendly element, but also an interesting interior design accent.
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Talking is not everything
Adequate sound insulation is a necessity not only for telephone conversations. Probably it is difficult for us to imagine an open space office, where every employee performs his work completely silently, it is simply impossible. The multitude of sounds generated by the entire team probably distracts not one introvert, and sometimes even an extrovert. Regardless of personality, each of us sometimes has one common need. The need for silence, in which we can even hear our own thoughts. This element is guaranteed when large-scale offices are divided by glass partitions. The three wall systems offered by CreoConcept, provide sound insulation up to RW 52 dB. In such conditions, each person will find the space for full concentration ensuring effective work.
Functional division of space
At CreoConcept, we are proponents of those solutions that are guaranteed not only to be of the highest quality, but above all to provide high comfort to users. Every office space is governed by its own rules. Often a fixed division of space is simply impossible. What then? In this case, mobile partition walls will work best. This solution allows you to efficiently divide a large space, but more importantly it is not a permanent element, so the room takes on the characteristics of a multifunctional one. Walls are used as an element dividing large conference rooms or other open spaces in an extremely practical way, providing comfortable acoustic conditions and high aesthetic standards.
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OptiTec film
Glass partitions are a practical solution that fits perfectly into the latest architectural trends. Translucent glass guarantees us a beautiful flow of light in the room and has great visual advantages, but does not guarantee privacy in the partitioned room. CreoConcept offers a solution combining both aspects. Each of our systems can be enriched with an extremely attractive technological solution - OptiTec film.
It uses a liquid crystal layer that changes the optical properties. Inside the film are liquid crystals, which under normal conditions have an irregular structure, so it maintains a milky-white color. It is enough to activate it with an electric pulse activated by a remote control or a special application, the film then becomes completely translucent or opaque.
This film guarantees us a wide range of applications. Undoubtedly, it is ideal as an element that gives the interior a private character and individual design. This solution also complements any training space because it works perfectly as a project screen.
Many solutions, one goal
CreoConcept is many office solutions that have one thing in common - comfort. The most important thing for us is to create offices that are conducive to work. Our actions are determined by multifunctional interiors, in which the main determinant of the arrangement is a person.
Think Creo
For more information, visit the company's CreoConcept page on the A&B portal.
