Battle of the Offices: Open or Closed Plan?

Bracken Workspace Plus Battle of the Offices: Open or Closed Plan?

When it comes to office design, the layout can play a crucial role in defining the work environment and impacting employee productivity and collaboration. There has long been an argument over open plan offices vs closed plan offices and whether one layout is better than the other. Both layout options come with their own set of advantages and considerations, making it essential for businesses to assess their own needs and objectives before settling on one or the other. If you’re struggling with the layout of your office, this guide is for you. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about open and closed office plans.
 

What is open plan?

Open plan offices typically have a single, shared space with minimal individual rooms. This allows for better collaboration and easier communication between employees. Open plan offices are workspaces that take advantage of the open space rather than having employees working from cubicles or cellular offices. In an open plan office, you're likely to see long rows of desks with hardly any divisions or separators. Desktop and floor standing screens are also sparse. Open offices also tend to have spaces where employees can congregate, such as lounges with couches, or open kitchen areas with plenty of soft or breakout seating. Some open plan offices have areas for recreation, such as ping pong tables or table football. These types of areas help employees unwind, reducing stress and increasing overall wellbeing.

Key features

  • Rows of desks that allow employees to find their "neighbours" easily. 

  • More natural light can flow into the workplace, making it a more pleasant environment.

  • Areas for engagement and casual conversations like break rooms and lounge sections.

Pros & cons of an open plan office space 

Pros:

  • More cost-efficient.

  • Maximises available space.

  • Increases communication & collaboration.

  • Highly flexible & adaptable.

  • Promotes employee health & well-being.

Cons:

  • Lack of privacy.

  • Often noisy & distracting.

  • Frequent disruptions can cause employee anxiety.
     

What is closed plan?

Closed plan office spaces are typically divided into individual cubicles or rooms that provide more privacy and a sense of personal space. A closed plan office supports individual and team working by using screens or fixed walls to create a separate office for every team or employee. This type of office can also support each department within the company by offering separate rooms and providing each team member with their own space. Due to the initial cost implications of creating a closed plan office, such as stud walls, separate air conditioning units and doors, it can mistakenly be overlooked and regarded as too traditional in favour of the more modern and familiar open plan option. However, there has been an argument to return to the closed office as it offers employees a quieter space to work and offers more privacy. It is for this reason acoustic pods, meeting pods and acoustic phone booths have often been introduced (to open offices) to create more of a closed office.

Key features

  • Separate offices for employees including individual cubicles or rooms. 

  • Room dividers to separate the workspace into smaller sections. 

  • Screens dividing spaces to maintain privacy and reduce noise levels.

Pros & cons of closed plan office space 

Pros:

  • Offers more privacy & silence.

  • Fewer distractions & disruptions.

  • Clear sense of hierarchy & order.

  • Calmer environment results in happier employees.

Cons: 

  • More expensive.

  • Weaker interpersonal relationships.

  • Possible team isolation.
     

Open vs Closed Plan

Ultimately, the right office layout will depend on the type of work your company does and the culture you wish to foster in your workspace. If your workspace culture is collaborative creative, and encourages social interaction, then an open space office layout is potentially more suitable. On the other hand, if your workspace culture values privacy and individual work styles, then a closed-space office layout may be preferred. Both layouts have their pros and cons, so it's important to assess your workspace needs thoroughly before making a decision.

When it comes to office space planning, it isn’t a case of one size fits all. Every business is different, every business is unique and has different requirements for its office layout. There are lots of different factors to consider when choosing between an open or closed office plan. If you’re struggling with the layout of your office, get in touch now and see what office spaces we can offer.