Why Open Space Stays Relevant
A company’s success is largely built on reputation, and the design and appearance of an office play a significant role in shaping a positive image. One of the most popular formats remains the open office — and despite the regular debates, the relevance of open space persists year after year.
In this guide we look at what open space is, what its pros and cons are, and how modern hybrid solutions make an open office comfortable. It will help you understand whether this kind of office planning suits your team.
What open space is
Open Space is a maximally open space without “solid” partitions and walls. Employees are placed at workstations in groups and only somewhat separated from one another. At the same time, the concept allows for separate zones not involved in the general work processes: comfortable corners or whole rest rooms where you can have lunch, drink coffee or make a phone call.
It is this combination of openness and separate functional zones that makes the format flexible and suitable for companies of different profiles.
Advantages of open space
The idea of open layout spread thanks to the Americans and has kept its relevance for years. The key roles in its popularity are played by:
- Open communication and flexibility. Colleagues react instantly to changing circumstances and make the right decisions in time, and there are no obstacles to full interaction.
- Cost-effectiveness. Open Space is easy to adapt to the needs of each employee and the company on a relatively small budget — since this format doesn’t require complex wall finishing, which often makes up a significant part of the costs.
- Process efficiency. An open environment encourages live communication between colleagues and like-minded people, which speeds up goal achievement.
The cons of open space and how to overcome them
Objectively, open layout also has weak points worth considering in advance:
- Noise and distraction. Colleagues’ conversations and calls can make it hard to focus. The solution is to set aside quiet zones and acoustically treat the space.
- Lack of privacy. Not every task is convenient to do “in full view”. The solution is meeting rooms, phone booths and concentration zones.
- Harder to focus on deep work. The solution is a flexible schedule and the ability to move to a quieter zone when needed.
A well-thought-out project neutralises these downsides while keeping all the advantages of open space.
Hybrid solutions: a comfortable open office
A modern hybrid office combines the advantages of open and closed layouts. Instead of a fully open space, a balanced environment is created:
- low partitions for gentle zoning of work groups (more in the article Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using);
- glass constructions that divide the space without blocking daylight;
- separate meeting rooms and phone booths for private conversations;
- proper rest zones for recharging — read about them in the article How to Set Up a Staff Relaxation Room.
This approach keeps open communication but adds privacy and quiet where they are needed.
An open-space renovation: where to start
Before starting, determine the scale of the project and think through a strategy. A renovation inevitably disrupts work processes, so it’s important to shorten its timeline without harming the goals set out in the design project. The best solution is to turn to specialists: professional help means safety, quality and the optimisation of time and costs.
A full-cycle partner will plan the layout as early as the design stage and deliver the renovation under general contracting.
Open space with Partner Create
A well-designed open office combines productivity, flexibility and comfort. Partner Create will help adapt open space to the nature of your activity and deliver the project turnkey. Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Open space in brief
- Open Space is an open space without solid walls, where employees work in groups.
- Advantages: open communication, flexibility, efficiency and a relatively small budget.
- Cons (noise, lack of privacy, harder focus) are neutralised by a well-thought-out project.
- A hybrid office combines openness with quiet zones, meeting rooms and phone booths.
- Glass and low partitions zone the space without blocking light.
- The renovation is best entrusted to specialists to shorten timelines and not disrupt work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, open layout has kept its relevance for years thanks to open communication, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Modern hybrid solutions add privacy and quiet, so the format remains in demand for companies of different profiles.
The main ones are noise and distraction, a lack of privacy and harder concentration on deep work. These cons are neutralised with quiet zones, meeting rooms, phone booths and acoustic treatment of the space.
It is a combination of open and closed layouts: open work zones are complemented with low partitions, meeting rooms, phone booths and rest zones. This approach keeps the advantages of open space while adding privacy.
The open format doesn’t require building and finishing many walls, which often makes up a significant part of the costs. The space is also easy to adapt to a company’s needs on a relatively small budget.
Create an open office with Partner Create
Open space means productivity, flexibility and a modern company image. Partner Create will design and deliver an open or hybrid office to suit the nature of your activity, with responsibility for the result.
Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.
We also recommend Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using and How to Set Up a Staff Relaxation Room — they will help make an open office comfortable.