We spend a lot of time and effort debating and researching how to design the perfect office - perhaps too much time, according to Rachel Casanova, a Principle and Director of Workplace at Perkins + Will. In this post, originally published by Metropolis Magazine as "When the Open Office Isn't Always the Problem or Solution", Casanova argues that we ought to be thinking about office design more holistically, taking into account not just the physical space of the office, but also how the client runs their workplace. At best, design can catalyse a more nurturing office environment, but for each company the way to achieve this may be different; there is no 'one-size-fits-all' office solution. Read on after the break to find out why.
The open-plan office hasn’t had a good year. Recent criticisms have linked open workspaces to declining levels of individual productivity and satisfaction for workers. Critics and columnists complained about noise, about the lack of privacy, about the dreadful uniformity. Yet, in the last decade, the open office has evolved by leaps and bounds. Silicon Valley popularized the casual workplace, embellishing the open plan with pockets of hangout space and social zones. Today’s office systems incorporate much more choice, offering numerous configurations of collaborative space, community space, and integrated technology that make it easy for workers to tailor their workplace to their liking.
But, my aim is not to argue for or against the open office. Instead, I want to shift the conversation to the macro-level, asking how space can work regardless of the strategy deployed. Despite the op-ed pieces and baiting headlines, our clients have reported increased engagement, better communication, and greater accessibility of leadership—benefits which they attribute to their work environment. The open office has been associated with healthier workplaces, greater access to natural light and views, and overall satisfaction with work. Even so, I don’t think that credit or blame should ever be attributed solely to the physical layout or design of a workplace.
