How do open offices impact office design?
Real Estate

How do open offices impact office design?

The concept of a smart office has changed the typical office layout. Bipratip Dhar, Principal Architect, Epsilon Architecture, explains with an example: “The erstwhile office of a construction company in Kolkata’s congested business district wore the ‘departmental’ look of the 1980s, with narrow passages and corridors leading to gated zones. In contrast, we gave its new office in a quieter, more spacious location a modern open design.”

Usually, hierarchy necessitates the creation of multiple enclosed spaces of different sizes to house personal workspaces and meeting rooms separated by corridors, which wastes space, according to Dhar. “Open offices tend to use space more efficiently, be more aesthetic and conducive to the entry of natural light and the use of connectivity technologies, making them comfortable and flexible.”

Connectivity technologies play a large part in integrating the different divisions and subdivisions of an office, continues Dhar. For instance, at the headquarters and centralised laboratory of Suraksha Diagnostics & Eye Centre, Kolkata, technology connects the five floors of the building and branches across the region.

From the functional perspective, “open spaces are more collaborative and conducive to co-locating employees,” says Sameer Joshi, Associate Vice-President, Marketing B2B, Godrej Interio.

Any need for hierarchical division can be met by space segregation. In the aforementioned construction company, Dhar’s team located the executive area towards the north of the premise, taking advantage of the calming views of the waterside, and located the general workstations in the natural light-filled southern periphery.

“In traditional offices, about 30 per cent of the space is kept for meeting rooms but as workstations in open offices are designed for collaborative working, this need has reduced,” notes Joshi. Sometimes, meetings are conducted in open spaces. Consequently, he estimates that open offices can help reduce the need for space by up to 30 per cent.

Overall, the futuristic e-commerce and other emerging sectors are adopting open office designs as are start-ups, where many employees work from home or elsewhere outside the office environment, he adds.

- CHARU BAHRI

The concept of a smart office has changed the typical office layout. Bipratip Dhar, Principal Architect, Epsilon Architecture, explains with an example: “The erstwhile office of a construction company in Kolkata’s congested business district wore the ‘departmental’ look of the 1980s, with narrow passages and corridors leading to gated zones. In contrast, we gave its new office in a quieter, more spacious location a modern open design.” Usually, hierarchy necessitates the creation of multiple enclosed spaces of different sizes to house personal workspaces and meeting rooms separated by corridors, which wastes space, according to Dhar. “Open offices tend to use space more efficiently, be more aesthetic and conducive to the entry of natural light and the use of connectivity technologies, making them comfortable and flexible.” Connectivity technologies play a large part in integrating the different divisions and subdivisions of an office, continues Dhar. For instance, at the headquarters and centralised laboratory of Suraksha Diagnostics & Eye Centre, Kolkata, technology connects the five floors of the building and branches across the region. From the functional perspective, “open spaces are more collaborative and conducive to co-locating employees,” says Sameer Joshi, Associate Vice-President, Marketing B2B, Godrej Interio. Any need for hierarchical division can be met by space segregation. In the aforementioned construction company, Dhar’s team located the executive area towards the north of the premise, taking advantage of the calming views of the waterside, and located the general workstations in the natural light-filled southern periphery. “In traditional offices, about 30 per cent of the space is kept for meeting rooms but as workstations in open offices are designed for collaborative working, this need has reduced,” notes Joshi. Sometimes, meetings are conducted in open spaces. Consequently, he estimates that open offices can help reduce the need for space by up to 30 per cent. Overall, the futuristic e-commerce and other emerging sectors are adopting open office designs as are start-ups, where many employees work from home or elsewhere outside the office environment, he adds. - CHARU BAHRI

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Schneider, NVIDIA Join Forces to Build AI Infra In Europe

Schneider Electric has announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to fast-track the development of AI-ready infrastructure across Europe. The collaboration, revealed at NVIDIA’s GTC event in Paris, aligns with the European Commission’s 'AI Continent Action Plan' and the 'InvestAI' initiative, which aims to mobilise €200 billion (approximately Rs 18 trillion) in AI investments.The alliance will combine Schneider Electric’s capabilities in sustainable infrastructure with NVIDIA’s leadership in accelerated computing. Together, the firms are co-developing advanced power management, sc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Chennai Plans Rs 2 Bn Footpath Upgrade For 200 km

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will build 200 kilometres of new footpaths at an estimated Rs 2 billion to make public streets safer for pedestrians. In the first phase, the civic body has invited bids from consultants to create designs worth about Rs 10 million, insisting on layouts that cut pedestrian–vehicle conflict and comply with Indian Road Congress, Complete Streets and GCC inclusive-design standards.Plans call for sufficient pavement width, seating areas, and seamless links to bus stops and Metro stations. “A truly walkable city needs continuous, accessible non-motorised-tra..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Adani Airports Raises $1 Billion for Mumbai Airport Expansion

Adani Airports Holdings (AAHL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises and India’s largest private airport operator, has successfully secured $1 billion financing through a project finance structure for its Mumbai International Airport (MIAL). The transaction involves issuance of $750 million notes maturing July 2029 (“Notes”) which shall be used for refinancing. The financing structure also includes provision to raise an additional $250 million, resulting in total financing of $1 billion. This framework will provide enhanced financial flexibility for the capital expenditure prog..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?