March 21, 2015  by

Collaboration First

The open office concept has gained popularity the last few years. Economic downturns, mobile technology and flexible work hours have instigated businesses to reexamine their offices and expenditures, leading to diminished individual workspaces. From a design perspective, a lack of spatial boundaries has prompted firms to create people-centric offices that prioritize collaboration.

It is now a natural choice for companies to adopt the open office given its logical solution to address everyone’s needs. One major drawback, however, is a decline in focus for introverts.

Some of a company’s best thinkers are glossed over in favor of extroverts. In author and lecturer Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Ms. Cain argues that some of the world’s best imaginers and innovators are introverts. She highlights Apple cofounder and famous introvert Steve Wozniak’s habits in the office:

“Did [Wozniak] seek out a big, open office space full of cheerful pandemonium in which ideas would cross-pollinate? No. When you read his account of his work process on that first PC, the most striking thing is that he was always by himself” (Cain, 73).

Introverts often experience more interruptions from coworkers in an open office, making it harder for them to process information. This leads to an increased loss of productivity given the challenges of finding the privacy to concentrate, reflect or recharge one’s batteries in an open office.

Knowing this, how do we design a solution that caters to a company’s various work styles?

One solution is to reintroduce more privacy into the open office. The space must be communal so no one feels guilty for making use of an area when their work requires it. Next, workplace design must focus on a balanced space that addresses public and private needs in which all employees can complete their work and maintain focus in today’s collaborative workplace.

CallisonRTKL

CallisonRTKL

For more than five decades, Callison and RTKL have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. In 2015, our two practices came together under the Arcadis umbrella, expanding our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team is comprised of nearly 2,000 creative, innovative professionals throughout the world who are committed to advancing our client’s businesses and enhancing quality of life.
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