As we all know, 'good' can mean different things to us. It is a matter of personal taste, personality health and character. The dynamic evolution of office spaces raises more and more questions about what a welcoming space should actually look like for everyone.
How to reconcile efficient team communication with the need for individual privacy. Open or closed? How does the need for hybrid working affect the design of office space?
Opening
The history of open-plan offices dates back to 1906, when the architect Frank Lloyd Wright was tempted to theorise that walls and the division of office space into rooms actually served no good purpose. He believed that an open-plan office was conducive to freedom of thought and the elimination of boundaries between employees. The innovative approach to office design changed in 1950 with the German architectural group Quickborner. They proposed separating individual desks with a small wall. This was a substitute for privacy and provided at least a minimal but comfortable workspace.
In Poland, this type of office space arrangement began in the 1990s, when large international companies came to Poland. With their arrival, the previously familiar perception of offices changed. This was also the time when glass partitions appeared in offices.
In most cases, open-plan offices were seen as a benefit to employees. It encourages a relaxed exchange of ideas and group work. It improves communication and relationships between employees. But it also imposes the same working conditions on everyone. This relates to temperature, the amount and source of light and, worst of all, noise.
The approach to office design has changed dynamically over the years. Regardless of architectural trends or aesthetic determinants, offices should follow one basic principle: they should be a welcoming space that supports the functioning of employees.
Research on comfort
Research into the comfort of working in an open space has been carried out in the Netherlands on several occasions. Researchers there have confirmed that such interiors are not conducive to creative work. They documented what open-plan workers have known for a long time - that top-down control of temperature, light and sound levels in open-plan offices does not help anyone. The popularity of this type of office means that it is not possible to make changes that directly affect employees. There is no doubt that employees who do not have the ability to change their working conditions are less productive.
New standards
The brand new reality of pandemic-induced office work has forced us to enter a different reality. Hybrid operations have accustomed employees to working in their own four corners, providing comfort and privacy. The return from such a reality to traditional office work has proven to be a challenge not only for employees, but also for office space managers.
Research in proxemics helps to guide the adaptation process to radical changes in personal space when returning to the office. The science of proxemics is based on the reciprocal influence of spatial relationships between individuals and between individuals and the material environment on psychological relationships. In the current situation, it is necessary to redefine our understanding of personal space - both our own and that of others.
It is necessary to ensure appropriate personal distances so that the office is conducive to all its users.
It is also worth remembering that offices are spaces where different personality types meet, from the withdrawn introvert to the happy extrovert.
For the latter, open-plan offices are the ideal solution. Experts point to the benefits of this type of solution for people who derive energy from contact with others. Introverts, on the other hand, need individual space. Constant contact with other employees quickly tires them out, not only physically but also mentally, and their work efficiency is minimal as a result.
A bold and arguably beneficial solution for both groups is to divide the space. What solutions should be chosen to best meet the needs of office users?
Talking is not everything
Adequate soundproofing is not just a necessity for telephone conversations. It is hard to imagine an open-plan office where everyone works in complete silence. The variety of sounds generated by the whole team is likely to be distracting for many introverts and sometimes even extroverts. Whatever our personalities, we all share a common need. The need for silence, where we can even hear our own thoughts. This element is guaranteed when large offices are divided by glass walls. The three wall systems offered by CreoConcept provide sound insulation of up to RW 52dB. Under these conditions, everyone has the space they need to concentrate and work effectively.
Functional space division
At CreoConcept, we believe in solutions that are not only of the highest quality, but also offer the highest level of user comfort. Every office space has its own rules. Often a fixed layout is simply not possible. What then? In these cases, mobile partitions are the best solution. This solution makes it possible to efficiently divide a large space, but more importantly, it is not a fixed element, so the space becomes multifunctional. Walls are used as an element that divides large conference rooms or other open spaces in an extremely practical way, providing comfortable acoustic conditions and high aesthetic standards.
Optitec Smart Film
Glass partitions are a practical solution that fits in perfectly with the latest architectural trends. Translucent glass gives us a beautiful flow of light in the room and has great visual advantages, but it does not guarantee privacy in the separated room. CreoConcept offers a solution that combines both aspects. Each of our systems can be enhanced with the exceptionally attractive technological solution of Optitec film.
It uses a liquid crystal layer that changes the optical properties. The film contains liquid crystals, which under normal conditions have an irregular structure, giving the film a milky white colour. The film is activated by an electrical impulse via a remote control or a special application, which makes the film completely transparent or opaque.
This film guarantees a wide range of applications. It is undoubtedly ideal as an element that adds a personal touch and individual design to an interior. This solution also complements any training room, as it works perfectly as a projection screen.
Many solutions with one goal
CreoConcept stands for 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 driven by multifunctional interiors where people are the main determinant of the layout.
Think Creo.