Office Space Planning: Rules & Ideas
The success of a modern company depends directly on employee efficiency — especially in trade and services, where communication and information exchange are the basis of business operations. So during a renovation it’s important to pay due attention to office space planning: an employee’s efficiency depends directly on the comfort, convenience and ergonomics of their workplace.
In this guide we look at the rules of effective planning: how to zone the space, which rooms are mandatory and what their sizes should be, how to account for movement flows and how to solve the problem of insufficient space.
The main planning rule: dividing the space
The main rule to start from when forming an office is division. It’s important to separate work zones so an employee works as efficiently as possible both on their own and in a team.
According to experts in business comfort, the ideal result is achieved with mobile partitions: such structures are installed in the shortest time and let you completely transform a room, dividing it into separate compartments. On the types of partitions, read the article Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using, and on approaches to zoning, the article How to Zone an Office: Practical Techniques.
Mandatory rooms and their sizes
After any modern renovation, an office should have several rooms, each with its own approximate size:
- Reception. The size depends on the number of visitors, but it can’t be less than 10 m².
- Manager’s office. The size is chosen for image considerations, but 12 m² is enough for a functional, convenient room.
- Meeting room. It contains presentation equipment — a board, projector, large display and so on, so it’s worth providing for connecting the equipment to the mains in advance (more in the article Equipping a Meeting Room in the Office).
- Rest area and staff room. Essential elements of a comfortable office, designed for the specific team.
Movement flows and equipment placement
Staff rooms are designed based on the number of specialists and their movements around the office. Well-thought-out movement flows reduce “jams” and distractions, and passageways don’t get in the way of work.
Shared equipment deserves separate attention: printers, shredders, copiers and other equipment are placed in an accessible spot so all employees can use it conveniently without disturbing someone else’s workspace.
The problem of insufficient space
A shortage of space can be solved in many ways, but the main method is optimising the workplaces. First of all, attention is paid to the dimensions of the furniture and its quantity: compact, functional solutions free up space.
Another technique is combining rooms. For example, some companies set up the reception right in the open office space, and fit the meeting room into the manager’s office. This approach lets you use every metre without harming functionality.
Office planning with Partner Create
Good planning is the key to employee efficiency and productivity, so it’s worth taking care of it in advance. Partner Create will think through the space organisation as early as the design stage — with zoning, room sizes and movement flows — and deliver the renovation under general contracting.
Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Office space planning in brief
- The main rule of planning is dividing the space into functional zones.
- Mobile partitions are quick to mount and let you divide a room into compartments.
- Mandatory rooms: reception (from 10 m²), manager’s office (from 12 m²), meeting room, rest area, staff room.
- The meeting room is provided with power in advance for the presentation equipment.
- Movement flows are planned, and shared equipment is placed in an accessible spot.
- A shortage of space is solved by optimising furniture and combining rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main rule is dividing the space into functional zones so an employee works efficiently both on their own and in a team. The ideal result comes from mobile partitions: they mount quickly and let you divide a room into separate compartments.
After a modern renovation, an office should have a reception, a rest area, a staff room, a manager’s office and a meeting room. Each room is designed for specific tasks and the number of people.
The reception is at least 10 m² (depending on the number of visitors), and a functional manager’s office needs from 12 m². Staff rooms are designed by the number of specialists, and the meeting room with the presentation equipment in mind.
The main method is optimising the workplaces: attention is paid to the dimensions and quantity of furniture. Rooms can also be combined — for example, setting up the reception in the open space and the meeting room in the manager’s office.
Plan your office space with Partner Create
Good planning means efficiency, comfort and rational use of every metre. Partner Create will think through the zoning, room sizes and movement flows 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 How to Zone an Office: Practical Techniques and Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using — they will complement the topic of office planning.