Is There a Future for Open-Plan Offices?

Offices have evolved significantly over the years. One of the most notable shifts in recent times has been the move from traditional, cellular workstations to open-plan office designs. Historically, office spaces were made up of individual booths where employees worked alone, largely free from distractions. In the past decade, however, we’ve seen a shift where businesses have been embracing these open-plan layouts that promote collaboration, flexibility and connectivity. These open spaces encourage interaction, spontaneous conversations and teamwork (all of which are crucial to the success of modern businesses).

With that said, the recent global pandemic has posed a major challenge for these workplaces. With businesses forced to close their doors during lockdowns (and now gradually reopening), finding a way to maintain the collaboration of these spaces and ensure staff remain socially distanced has become a real challenge.

Making It Work: Balancing Collaboration & Safety

Being able to easily communicate with others and collaborate on projects is the backbone of many modern businesses. The open-plan office was designed with these values in mind, and it’s largely replaced the cellular model in recent years.

Going back to a fully cellular office could negatively impact productivity, as team members might feel isolated and disconnected. On top of this, the anxiety associated with concerns over the spread of COVID-19 can make staff unhappy and unproductive. As a result, many business owners have allowed staff to continue working from home. While, at first, many of us enjoyed the perks of being at home (unlimited snacks and a shorter commute!), the disconnect soon became apparent. The difficulty of collaborating over video calls, for instance, is a clear reminder that face-to-face interaction is irreplaceable.

So, how can businesses support collaboration in an open-plan space while adhering to social distancing rules? The good news is that it’s still possible, all while implementing protective measures.

How to Adapt an Open-Plan Office for the Pandemic

Several solutions can help businesses continue to operate in an open-plan environment, all while ensuring the safety of their employees:

• Desk Screens – One of the most common and effective solutions for open-plan offices is the installation of Perspex desk screens. These screens act as a barrier between employees, helping to prevent the spread of germs whilst still allowing team members to see and communicate with each other. The benefit is that they don’t isolate workers, as they still maintain visibility. Easy to install and disinfect, these screens are a low-cost, high-impact solution for businesses.
• Sanitising Stations – By now, we’re all familiar with sanitising stations and they’re hugely important. It’s important to ensure that these are highly visible and easily accessible to employees, visitors and anyone entering or leaving the office. These stations should be located at key touchpoint areas such as entrances, exits and communal areas.
• One-Way Systems – To further reduce the risk, implementing one-way systems within the office can help. By ensuring that anyone who enters your building comes in one way and out the other, through designated routes, you can reduce the likelihood of people coming into close contact with one another, especially in high-traffic areas.
• Partitioning – Temporary screens have their place, but now certain social distancing solutions look as if they’re here to stay for the foreseeable future, many businesses are now considering more permanent partitions for the long term. Glass partitions, especially, are beneficial as they allow natural light to flow through the office, protecting staff without making them feel isolated or shut off from their colleagues. These partitions are also relocatable, allowing businesses to adapt as needs change or as they grow.

Closing the Door on Open-Plan

Despite the adaptations mentioned above, some argue that the future of the office lies in returning to modular workstations. In this view, a shift away from open-plan may be necessary to effectively manage social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus. On top of this, there are other potential drawbacks to open-plan working, such as noise pollution and distractions. Some businesses may feel these can be addressed with closed-off workstations.

Another option for many businesses is to continue to allow staff to work from home, at least part-time. This has the benefit of reducing the potential for COVID-19 transmission in the office, while also saving on office rental and overhead costs.

Finding the Perfect Balance

While the future of open-plan offices may seem uncertain, they could actually be easier to adapt for social distancing. Open-plan workplaces are generally larger, with fewer surfaces for germs to linger on. This makes them ideal for maintaining physical distance between staff members. It’s obvious that desks will have to be spaced out and additional measures like screens will need to be installed. With that said, many large businesses have successfully adapted, meaning staff can still safely communicate and collaborate on projects.

How We Can Help

As commercial fit out contractors, we specialise in the design and build of office spaces, such as adaptations to meet current health and safety requirements. Whether you currently have an open-plan space or a more modular design within your workplace, we can help you adapt in order to adhere to current restrictions.

Our team of designers can assess your workspace and create a bespoke solution that works for your business. We provide full delivery and installation, with a team of fitters that work very closely with Build UK and CLC guidelines relating to site operating procedures.

Whether you need a quick, new build for a return to work or a complete office renovation, we’re here to help. Get in touch today to find out how we can support you in making your office a safe, productive environment for your team.