Customized Open Plan Offices: Matching Workplace Trends with Company Culture

Workplace ideals today circle closely around the notion that productivity and collaboration stem from open environments. With this, office design trends have moved in the direction of lower workstation panels and increased awareness of perimeter spaces in order to convey transparency and accessibility.

However, company cultures and functions are widespread which cause many to question the idea of an office without boundaries. Because of this, workplace design must be approached in a manner that is specific to the business inhabiting the space. With the diverse range of organizations that we at VC design for, our team makes it our number one focus to work with clients specifically to develop standards that will accommodate their different work styles and corporate cultures. In doing so, we are able to create productive results, while still responding to the current trends proven to lead to corporate collaboration and wellbeing.

Here are four diverse companies that we have created open environments for, specifically tailored to match their unique cultures.

1. A low panel benching system epitomizes the open environment trend for a software and technology company

Rez-1 workstations. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Rez-1 workstations. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Being in the technology sector, the corporate culture at Rez-1 provided us with the ability to design a completely open plan.  The company wanted a space that would foster interaction and collaboration as their culture thrives on teamwork and the sharing of knowledge. We thus helped them transition 90% of their employees from traditional high paneled cubicles into a benching system with unique laser cut panels and maximum transparency. We chose to deliberately reposition their workforce along the perimeter of the space, opening the desks to exterior views and sunlight. The result is an open plan environment reflective of the nature at Rez-1.

2. Glass fronts of private offices maximize natural light and transparency in a traditional office setting

Riverside Partners office. Image © Ed Jacoby for Visnick & Caulfield

Riverside Partners office. Image © Ed Jacoby for Visnick & Caulfield

The open environment trend often poses concern in sectors that require traditional private offices. However, by using smart design features, we are still able to provide an open feel without compromising corporate culture and hierarchies. For example, at Riverside Partners, a more traditional venture capital, we supported their desire for perimeter offices and inboard workstations, but maximized access to natural light and skyline views through extensive use of floor to ceiling glass office fronts. This design element also allowed for acoustic privacy while still increasing visual collaboration. Because of this, the firm was able to maintain their company culture while still enhancing employee wellbeing and productivity.

3. Glass stacked panels balance a vast open-work room for an environmental management company

ERM Workroom. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

ERM Workroom. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

When working with environmental consultants ERM, we were particularly deliberate about using natural sunlight and sustainable elements in their open work-space. Thus, we developed a system with low panels adorned with frameless frosted glass stackers that offer a greater sense of privacy for users than the panels used in the Rez-1 space, but still provide access to natural sunlight and maintain a collaborative feel by eliminating flanking, solid dividers.

4. Low-walled personal workstations and floor to ceiling views create productivity in a financial services office

Standard Life Investment work stations. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Standard Life Investment work stations. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

During our expansion of the workplace for global asset management company Standard Life Investment, we worked with the firm to follow the open environment trend by not adding any new private offices. Rather, our team utilized the incredible office views by installing a broad work room that encourages collaboration and inter office communication. This is reinforced again by low workstation panels. The company’s traditional financial background however, is enforced by providing employees with singular personal workstations that allow for privacy without blocking the potential for impromptu interaction.

An open plan office doesn’t necessarily mean no walls and no privacy. By working with clients on a personal level and implementing innovative design tactics, we are able to develop office plans that can accommodate both the latest design trends, as well as a company’s unique culture and brand.

Written by Isobelle Hemmers
Edited by Burt Visnick, Senior Principal at Visnick & Caulfield, AIA, IIDA, NCARB and Daniela Maher, Associate at Visnick & Caulfield, LEED AP, NCIDQ Certificate 28090
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