How to Separate Work Zones in an Office
Efficiency, staff comfort and the overall atmosphere all depend on correct zoning. Poor division of work zones in an office creates two problems at once: on the one hand, limiting communication delays operative work decisions, and on the other, excessive openness and a lack of privacy negatively affect the psycho-emotional state. Some people will feel nervous, some irritated, and some simply won’t be able to concentrate.
So the main task is to find the “golden mean”: ensure fast communication between colleagues while preserving privacy. In this guide we’ve gathered the main methods of space division — from partitions to greenery and acoustic solutions.
Partitions for dividing work zones
Partitions are one of the simplest but very effective ways to separate workplaces. Today there are several types of such solutions made from different materials:
- aluminium;
- glass;
- plasterboard;
- metal-plastic (PVC) profile.
They are made to order from preliminary measurements, so a partition is easy to adapt to a specific space. More on the types is in the article Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using.
Zoning with furniture: cabinets and mobile cabinets
Furniture is another accessible zoning tool:
- Cabinets. The advantage is that they can be moved from place to place, and documents can be stored inside. This “two in one” functionality is sometimes indispensable, though it’s unlikely to suit very small rooms.
- Mobile (roll-out) cabinets. A good solution for dividing workplaces on one long desk: they also let you store plenty of documents that are always at hand.
Colour and style
Besides physical division, the space can be zoned visually:
- Colour combination. This is primarily a tool of visual zoning that creates a sense of separation. A well-chosen palette has a favourable effect on the emotional state and gives confidence (more in the article Office Colours and Their Impact on Productivity).
- Style. It works great when colleagues from different departments are placed in one large room: well-thought-out styling gives a stunning design and functional effect.
Greenery and acoustic solutions
Work zones can also be separated with “soft” methods:
- Greenery. Groups of plants, phytomodules or living walls divide the space naturally without blocking light (on how to do this, see the article Office Phytodesign: Greening the Interior).
- Acoustic solutions. Acoustic panels and screens not only separate zones but also reduce noise, which is especially important in open space.
When zoning, the room’s area, ceiling height, number of workplaces and other features are taken into account.
Don’t forget the rest area
Work is work, but rest deserves attention too. A separate rest area can be in a separate room or in the same one where the work is done. In the latter case, it’s separated with partitions or high cabinets, with comfortable soft sofas or chairs with extended backs installed. Quality rest, even if brief, in a comfortable atmosphere is the key to more effective work. On how to set up such a zone, see the article How to Set Up a Staff Relaxation Room.
Office zoning with Partner Create
Our designers use various ways to organise space and select the optimal combination of methods for a specific room. Office zoning is best planned as early as the design stage and delivered under general contracting.
Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Separating work zones in brief
- The goal of zoning is a balance between fast communication and staff privacy.
- Partitions (aluminium, glass, plasterboard, PVC) are the simplest and most effective way.
- Furniture: cabinets and mobile cabinets zone the space and store documents at the same time.
- Colour and style zone visually and affect the emotional state.
- Greenery and acoustic panels divide space softly and reduce noise.
- The rest area is separated with partitions or cabinets and fitted with soft furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Good zoning ensures a balance between colleagues’ fast communication and privacy. Poor division, on the contrary, either limits communication and delays decisions or creates excessive openness that makes staff nervous and unable to concentrate.
The most in-demand are aluminium, glass, plasterboard and metal-plastic (PVC) profile partitions. They are made to order from preliminary measurements, so the solution is easy to adapt to a specific space.
Yes. Space is zoned with furniture (cabinets and mobile cabinets), colour and style, as well as greenery and acoustic panels. These methods are often combined to achieve both a functional and a design effect.
If the rest area is in the same room, it’s separated with partitions or high cabinets, with comfortable soft sofas or chairs with extended backs installed. Even brief, quality rest raises productivity.
Separate your work zones with Partner Create
Correct zoning means a balance of communication, privacy and team comfort. Partner Create will select the optimal methods of dividing the space and deliver the office 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 Office Phytodesign: Greening the Interior — they will help you choose zoning methods.