Finding the perfect office layout

The office - a place where people of all kinds come together. Many have a good bond with each other, for others the only thing they have in common is their employer. It can be a challenge to create the right office situation for everyone involved. Because while Lina likes to work in peace and quiet and is easily distracted by other people, Moritz loves the hustle and bustle of the open-plan office, where you can approach your colleagues at any time and chat to them (privately or professionally).

What room concepts are there and how do they work? 

The office layout is therefore far more than just a question of aesthetics or space efficiency - it has a direct impact on the productivity, satisfaction and health of employees. But what types of office are there, what advantages and disadvantages do they have, and what really suits the company? 

The open-plan office: communication vs. concentration

The open-plan office is the classic of modern office architecture - open, spacious and usually without fixed workstations or dividing walls. It promotes spontaneous communication and enables short decision-making processes. 

Advantages of the open-plan office: 

• Facilitates the exchange between teams 
•  Promotes collaboration and innovation processes
• More favorable in terms of space consumption 

Disadvantages of the open-plan office: 

• High noise level 
• Few opportunities to retreat 
• Concentration problems due to constant stimuli 

Effect on employees: While extroverted personalities benefit from social interaction, introverted employees or those who need to concentrate on their work often experience the open-plan office as stressful. 

Cellular office: peace and structure

The term cellular office sounds like a prison at first. However, these are actually classic single or two-person offices. They offer privacy and a structured working environment. They are particularly popular in traditional industries and for activities that require a high level of concentration. 

Advantages of cubicle offices: 

• High focus possible 
• Low susceptibility to interference
• Confidential conversations can be carried out without problems 

Disadvantages of cubicle offices: 

• Less exchange with colleagues
• Communication barriers 
• Higher space requirement 

Effect on employees: Ideal for tasks that require deep concentration or confidential work - for example in the accounting or legal department. At the same time, social isolation can be a problem. 

Combined office: Balance between focus and exchange

The combi office combines individual workstations with open communal areas. Employees have places to retreat, but also access to communicative zones such as lounge areas or open meeting islands. 

Advantages of combi offices: 

• Flexible use depending on the task 
• Promotion of teamwork with simultaneous possibility of retreat
• Good balance between communication and concentration 

Disadvantages of combi offices: 

• Higher planning costs 
• Technically more demanding (e.g. acoustic solutions) 
• Can be expensive to implement 

Effect on employees: This model meets the need of many employees for variety and self-determination and can thus increase motivation and performance. 

Activity-Based Working (ABW): Workingplace depending on the task

There are no fixed workstations at the ABW - instead, employees choose the type of room to suit their work. There are zones for quiet work, creative work, telephone calls or meetings. Laptops and the like are stored in a fixed place in the office (e.g. compartments in the entrance area). When you arrive in the morning, you take your own work equipment and find the place that suits you best for the day.  

Advantages of Activity-Based-Working: 

• High flexibility 
• Optimal use of space  
• Promotes personal responsibility 

Disadvantages of Activity-Based-Working: 

• Acclimatization period necessary 
• Little personal connection to the workplace
• Requires a high level of discipline in use 
• Those who arrive early get the most popular seats.This can lead to conflicts 

Effect on employees: Particularly effective in dynamic teams with changing tasks. However, some employees feel uprooted by the lack of a "home base". 

Conclusion: No office type fits all 

The ideal office layout is always individual - it should be tailored to the company's culture, processes and employees. A careful analysis of working methods, coupled with a participatory planning process, is the key to an infrastructure that really works. Those who see office space as a strategic factor not only create functional spaces, but also strengthen motivation, identification and innovation in the long term. 

By the way: In the myhive Offices, everyone will find the right workplace: quiet individual offices enable concentrated work, while open-plan areas create a pleasant soundscape through targeted acoustic measures - such as sound-absorbing panels - and at the same time promote interaction. 

And those who like to be alone during working hours but appreciate the company of colleagues during breaks can make use of the spacious restaurant area, the fitness area or other leisure facilities within the team.