A recent Gallup report on the State of the Global Workplace indicates that about 63% of employees are disengaged. This has many businesses wondering about the best way to layout office space. It’s well-known that office design can significantly influence productivity, employee satisfaction, and even foster company culture. In other words, selecting the proper office layout can be the difference between a collaborative team and a disengaged one. One type of layout, called an open office, has been popular among many businesses of late. However, some argue that while open offices encourage collaboration, they also lead to distractions and reduced productivity. Conversely, traditional closed offices are said to provide fewer interruptions and create a better environment for focus. In this article, we will define what open and closed offices are, compare open office vs. closed office layouts, and explore why closed offices may be the better choice for many businesses.
What is an Open Office?
An open office is just what it sounds like, a large open workspace. In other words, there are few if any walls and partitions meant to separate coworkers. In these spaces, desks and workstations are usually arranged in a communal area.
Open office plans were created to foster communication and collaboration between employees, and they became popular due to their ability to encourage interaction while also being more affordable.
What is a Closed Office?
Closed offices, on the other hand, provide distinct and enclosed workspaces for individuals or small teams. This is a more traditional office layout and has been typical for decades.
Closed office layouts section off private workspaces, each employee with a designated office or cubicle at the very least. There are many defined boundaries, such as walls, partitions, and doors. Employees are allowed to personalize their spaces as well.
Why Closed Offices May Be the Better Choice
Though open office plans were intended to promote collaboration, in many cases they do just the opposite. The lack of privacy and increased noise levels can lead to distractions and decreased productivity. Employees often struggle with constant interruptions, which can hinder their ability to focus. Closed office plans, on the other hand, have several advantages over open offices that can improve workplace productivity. Here are a few of their benefits:
- Improved Focus: As we mentioned, fewer distractions mean that employees can concentrate better.
- Better Privacy: Closed offices provide the privacy necessary for sensitive conversations and offer employees a break from too much interaction.
- Lower Noise Levels: As you might expect, closed spaces help reduce noise, which creates a quieter and more focused work environment.
- Employee Satisfaction: Many employees, whether introverted or not, appreciate having their own space, which can lead to greater job satisfaction. Some people need to recharge away from others, and closed offices can help with that.
Closed Offices with Modular Solutions
Modular building solutions, such as partitions, demising walls, and modular offices, offer a quick fix and an affordable approach to creating closed office spaces. If you’ve tried open offices, but they’re leading to low employee satisfaction or reduced productivity, then modular structures allow for a fast solution. Allied Modular specializes in these kinds of fixes, and provides businesses the ability to customize their office layouts the way they see fit.
Modular buildings provide several advantages to businesses looking for layout changes. They provide flexibility in ways that traditional construction cannot, as modular parts can be easily reconfigured or expanded. Similarly, modular walls and buildings are low cost and often require much less time to install.
The Bottom Line
The debate between open office vs closed office layouts will likely continue for some time. However, the benefits of closed offices, particularly when paired with modular solutions, make them an appealing choice for businesses looking to enhance productivity, privacy, and overall employee satisfaction.
Looking to transform your workspace? Contact Allied Modular today to get a free quote on our customized modular office solutions.
