It’s a question which has been around for as long as offices have: open-plan or partitioned? We get asked this on almost every office fit out we take on. Although it seems like they each come in and out of fashion, they actually have their place. Which is right for your fit out depends on how your team works and shouldn’t be decided on what looks impressive on a floor plan.
In this blog we will be exploring the two options and breaking them down exactly how we do with clients.
The Case for Open-Plan
Many offices in the UK still adopt the open-plan design, and there is plenty of good reason for it. They’re quicker to fit out, flexible to reconfigure, and they make the most of available natural light throughout the floorplate. If, for example, you have a business which is scaling quickly, then you will need to future-proof. An open-plan approach gives you this flexibility to employ the team members you need and then fit them in after the fact. You’re not stuck with partitions which no longer fit the size of your team.
Another point to think about is the initial cost. Not in all cases, however; most of the time fewer walls mean fewer materials, less containment work and a shorter programme of works.
Open-plan, however, has some well-documented downsides. The main issue, noise. A study from Oxford Economics found that just 1% of employees could block out distractions and concentrate at their desks without taking extra steps. This was down from 20% just a few years earlier. Other separate research has shown that related dissatisfaction affects more than half of all office workers, and it’s consistently the top complaint in staff surveys about open layouts.
There is one common myth which needs to be addressed, as it’s all too prevalent when we speak to clients. Open-plan workspaces do not automatically boost collaboration. Although it can be conducive to collaboration, this is not a rule which always works. A Harvard study which tracked two Fortune 500 companies through the open-plan transition actually discovered the opposite. Face-to-face interactions among employees dropped by about 70% once the partitioning was removed, with staff switching to emailing and messaging instead.
The Case for Partitioning
Partitioned offices, whether that’s full-height stud walls, glass partitions, or a mix of meeting rooms and open zones, solve the two biggest open-plan complaints in one move: noise and privacy.
There is plenty of research to back up this point. One systematic review which consisted of dozens of studies concluded that open-plan office designs are often linked with worse psychological health, productivity and even worker satisfaction when compared to cellular office styles. The review cautions that businesses should consider the impact that removing partitioning may cause when chasing collaborative space which is not supported by evidence.
Another important point to make is that partitioning provides you with control. They allow you to create quiet zones for focused work, private call rooms for important conversations and open spaces where they are needed instead of the whole space being open. This allows for collaboration to be channelled into places designed for it rather than applying one rule to the entire floor. Glass partitioning is an effective tool, as it lets you get the privacy and acoustic benefits without blocking out important natural light from the space.
The trade-off is cost and time. Partitioning involves more materials, more containment for power and data, and a longer programme than a simple open-plan fit out. It’s an investment, but one that tends to pay back in staff retention, well-being, and fewer complaints about noise down the line.
Acoustic and Privacy Consideration
This is usually the most important consideration to what approach you will take to your office. If your team spends most of their day on individual, focused work calls or often handles confidential information, then acoustics matter way more than square footage. An open floorplate allows for noise to travel much further than a space divided by partitioning, and speech is often rated as one of the biggest types of noise-related distractions.
Partitioning doesn’t have to mean full enclosure either. A mix of solid walls for meeting rooms and private offices, glass partitions for light and visual connection, and acoustic treatment in open zones gives you the best of both. It’s rarely all or nothing.
When to Choose Each Layout
Choose open-plan if:
- Your team works highly collaboratively and moves between tasks frequently
- You expect to grow or reconfigure the space within the next couple of years
- Budget and programme are the priority
- Confidential calls and focused deep work aren’t a big part of the day
Choose partitioning if:
- Staff regularly need quiet space for concentration or confidential conversations
- You’re handling client meetings, HR matters, or sensitive data on site
- Noise complaints or productivity concerns have already come up with your current layout
- You want defined zones for different teams or functions within one floor
Most offices we fit out land somewhere in between. A partitioned core of meeting rooms and quiet spaces, with open, collaborative space around it.
Get the layout right the first time.
Here at Avent Interiors, we’ve been optimising space for businesses across the South West since 2007. Our business was built off partitioning, and we still provide solutions often, advising clients of the best setup in their space. If you’re weighing up partitioning for your office, take a look at our office partitioning service or get in touch and we’ll help you find the right balance for your team.