Currently, and probably for the foreseeable future, the benefits of an open plan office are a subject of continued debate. You only have to Google search ‘open plan office’ and you are bombarded with journals and studies discussing the advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement. Open plan office layouts are said to promote communication, increase collaboration, and improve team spirit amongst all employees. However, these innovative designs are not without their drawbacks. To enable a happy and successful office to develop, it is essential the balance between focused individual work and a collaborative effort is achieved.

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In the early stages of office development, communication between employees is key to producing a workable design and enabling the business to develop and perform to the best of its ability. Everybody works in different ways; some people thrive off constant group interaction, whilst others cannot bear the thought of a seat at a long-shared table, with no private space for themselves. Therefore the provision of designated areas for each type of worker is vital to ensure success and high productivity. Adding various break out areas in an open plan office space and having flexibility in places to work can offer major benefits to employees, and due to the ever-increasing time spent glued to a computer screen at work, the idea of a break out area is becoming more and more appealing.

The beauty of an open plan layout is that the space is dynamic. It can grow as your business develops and the space is easily adaptable to meet changing requirements. These layouts are ideal for maximising a company’s use of space and simultaneously minimising establishment costs. However, the fundamental changes required to move from private offices and separated desks to a position on a long shared table can be a hard adjustment. 

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However, the popularity of the open plan layout is still thriving, with millions of us now working at arm’s length with our colleagues. This is all thanks to the trend for more adaptable layouts, with dynamic break out and informal relaxed areas where collaborative discussions are encouraged to help address the balance of the office. However, when you look at the internet this type of office layout receives nothing but criticism. Many sites highlight its countless flaws – the noise complaints, productivity loss, and increased distractions for employees. Privacy is also a major disadvantage of the open plan design, as computer screens are easily visible by those walking by and telephone conversations are more than likely to be overheard, giving rise to legal or ethical issues stemming from compromised confidentiality regarding clients or colleagues.

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I believe there are benefits for both ‘open’ or ‘cellular’ office layouts, and it’s difficult to label one as right and one as wrong. Ultimately, it all depends on the needs of the business and the way the space is going to be used. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for open plan design and what may work for one company may not work for another, specific business needs will differ from business to business.

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What’s your opinion of the open plan vs cellular office layout debate?