Hassan Shaikh shares how open plan spaces can be a valuable tool to help organisations promote team collaboration and increasing productivity.
For many years, open plan office concepts have been a popular choice for many companies. While the intention behind these designs was to foster collaboration and create a more productive work environment, many people have come to see them as disruptive and counterproductive. But could this be just a matter of poor perception of open plan offices? Is it possible to harness the potential of the open plan concept as a tool for effective collaboration by redefining it and establishing a renewed outlook on it use?
This could be similar to the example of the perception to the ambiance, buzz and energy that is felt when people work in the proverbial “Starbucks” coffee shop spaces. Yes, it is about the feeling of being in the space, the smell of coffee, soft background music, and also movement of people in the space. Why is this perceived to be attractive and perceived very differently to the common assumption of disruptiveness in an open plan space? As mentioned in the research by Sailer, Koutsolampros and Pachilova in 2021, not every open plan space is the same. The arrangement, floor plate design, and the quality of circulation can have a positive outcome for the way we use open plan spaces and the value it can offer.
Could our collectively and popularity influenced stereotypes of open plan spaces reduce the opportunity for users to make the best use of them as a tool for high connectivity and collaboration? Is it similar to the perception of old adage of working from home being not as effective or efficient as being at the office? We can all agree now that the last few years have given this perception the boot!
The Criticisms of Open Plan Spaces
To start, one of the primary criticisms of open plan office layouts is that they are too noisy and lack privacy. With the recent push for offices to be designed to be more collaborative, the opportunity to redefine the high value of in office communication and collectively meeting, implementing noise-cancelling technologies for acoustic comfort, and also providing alternative private spaces for employees to retreat to, has made it possible to mitigate these issues. In fact, the very act of working in close proximity to others has been shown to actually improve communication and collaboration.
Embracing Open Plans
When employees are working in close proximity to one another, it is easier to share ideas and collaborate on projects. This can lead to a more creative and productive work environment, where ideas are freely exchanged and refined. By reframing the open plan stereotype and embracing the open plan office as an effective working option, organisations could foster and enhance their future of work culture of collaboration and innovation.
Another potential benefit of open plan office design is that they can promote a sense of community among employees. When employees are working in a shared space, they are more likely to form social connections and build relationships with one another. This topic of community and connection for people in an organisation is of high importance and is receiving more focus for real estate and workplace practitioners. The drive for organisations to create spaces to accommodate and encourage their people to collaborate and connect has been proven to lead to a more cohesive and supportive work environment, where employees feel valued and reconnected.
Of course, it is important to acknowledge that not all employees will thrive in open plan environments. Some may prefer a quieter and more private workspace, and it is important to provide alternative options to cater for inclusivity in the workplace. However, by starting to change the dialogue with users can redefine the perception of open plan office layout and organisations can collectively develop the value that they could provide for collaboration and community. Open plan spaces have the huge potential to be a tool for organisations to create more dynamic and productive work environments.
In order to successfully redefine and implement open plan spaces in an office, it is very important to involve employees in the process. Using a salutogenic approach and focusing on user wellbeing, developing community guidelines, and supporting collective behaviours on how to effectively communicate and collaborate in an open plan environment, could ensure that the open plan office spaces are designed to meet the needs of users and facilitate a holistic, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
While open plan office spaces have received criticism in recent years, they can be a valuable tool to help organisations promote team collaboration and potentially increasing productivity. By mitigating the some of the drawbacks of these spaces have presented in the past and embracing their potential benefits, organisations have the opportunity to create a more dynamic and collaborative work environments. Ultimately, the success of an open plan office will depend on the willingness of employees to embrace this approach and work together to achieve their goals and those of the organisation they are a part of.
