Open plan offices and why I dislike them
August 1st, 2013
What follows is a compilation of thoughts originally expressed on Twitter. For more context listen to Lucy Kellaway talking about office space in this programme here:-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037jbtl
What I think about open plan offices in a few random thoughts
Small group offices are ok, (2 – 8 people) but vast open plan offices are like chicken sheds, and have no atmosphere which is impossible to create in that environment.
The joy of small offices is that each over time develops a culture aligned with the personalities of its occupants. A small number of people well known to each other.
It is this that the management appear to want to destroy, the danger being that they will inadvertently destroy the creative heart of the enterprise.
Working in IT support I have long favoured the friendliness of small offices in contrast to the anodyne and soul destroying experience of walking past desk after desk uninterrupted by walls or partitions of open plan areas.
In open plan areas personalities become subdued and less expressive, the whole office culture sinks to the lowest common denominator of murmur.
It has been pointed out to me that it’s impossible to deal with confidential matters or private interviews in such circumstances.
As one tours a large building in the course of a working day there are the pleasant memories of offices just left and those to come. This adds variety to the working day and helps to stave off the monotony that can come with repetitive tasks.
The loss of privacy is appalling. You might just as well use a laptop in the pub round the corner.
Chicken sheds. That’s what I think of open plan.
When the BBC programme is no longer available you can listen to it on YouTube:-