World Green Building Council recently concluded that there is
overwhelming evidence linking the office space design and
productivity of employees. But it’s not a new thing; it’s been there from quite
a long time and we all know that productivity level of employees go down when
they aren’t comfortable. May it be the atmosphere, temperature or the noise
level; the employees need to be relaxed and comfortable to work at their best
productive levels.
So, it’s really important to set the office to create the
best possible working environment to make the employees more comfortable. There
is no straight answer when asked, which is best among closed cubicles and open
plan offices. As there are pros and cons associated with both the designs, you
just have to think which design suits your business type the best and which
design would be comfortable for your employees.
Cubicle vs. Open Plan
Cubicle Offices: Today, closed cubicle has almost become a
synonym for ‘office space’ being employed across the major cities in India. It
was designed to get the employees out of the old time open plan offices.
In 1960s, a designer called Robert Props proposed an idea of
providing independence and autonomy to the employees working in office, and
offered a flexible three walled design that can be reshaped to satisfy any
need.
It didn’t take too long for businesses to realize that they
can cram more people into a smaller space if they use cubicle design at
offices. As the result, we can see majority of the office spaces designed with
cubicles.
Open Plan Design: It has been the latest trend to have an
open environment at office. The logic behind this is that, the employees will
be more productive and happier when they work together instead of getting
isolated within the walls.
Open plan offices allow employees to interact with each other
which make them feel less isolated. The design also allows spontaneous
interjections which helps in promoting the creativity.
Also, open plan is potentially helpful for less experienced
members or interns as they can interact with the experienced employees easily.
There are lots of employees who think that privacy has been
one of the major causes of work dissatisfaction, and they also complain about
increased noise levels and distraction. This issue is just because the
employees feel that they are being watched and they can’t just get away with
their Facebook visits during work hours.
Colour and Lighting
Different colours at office can have different impact on the
employees. Green makes the employees think broader and help them come up with
creative ideas; Red boosts their energy; Pink gives them a calm effect and
White has a modern appeal associated with it. So, while choosing the colours,
make sure you consider the psychological effects of the colours.
Next comes the lighting; just check how much natural light
the office is receiving and see is there any way to increase it. If you have to
get settled in a windowless space, obviously you’ll have to go with artificial
lighting. In such case, consider using full-spectrum bulbs which simulate
daylight keeping the light soft and warm.
Ultimately it’s you who know the business well, so just look
at the size of your company and the roles of employees, and choose a layout
that suits the best for your business and employees. If your employees spend a
bit more time on their phones, open plan might not work out for you. But if the
team looks creative sharing their ideas with each other, open plan can allow
your employees interact with ease. The same applies for colour and lighting as
well;all that you do is not just for your employees, but also for your own
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