The nature of work has been completely revolutionized over the last mere decade. The way we work has evolved to prioritize the well-being of the human mind and body and fostering collaboration and productivity. Work-life balance, burnout, and mental health have become primary topics as of late.
We typically think of cool, modern, and hip millennialism when we think of the “anti-cubicle” philosophy and attitude of work. Silicon Valley tech giants like Google were the first to popularize open and creative office spaces. However, the concept was invented before cubicles.
American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was known for his beautiful open concept homes and offices. He felt that physical barriers were oppressive. “Boxes are fascist,” Wright once noted. He famously and meticulously designed an open office with employees sitting at their own desks with plenty of space between one another. For the managers, Wright had private offices built on an upper mezzanine.
In 1960, Herman Miller created a corporation dedicated to furniture research. It was he who was the first to create the office cubicle. The cubicle became a cost-effective and convenient way to create organization and separation, which is a benefit that still holds true today.
Wright’s idea became copied and renditioned into the many open offices we see today, but without his genius. The problem wasn’t that the open office concept is flawed, but that companies did not take creative design into consideration when assembling the spaces. They simply assumed that arranging desks and chairs of any kind on an open floor would achieve the same result as Wright.
Open floor offices are thought to foster ease of communication. However, this intention doesn’t seem to serve an actual need. In fact, studies have shown that open offices may be overrated. Employees don’t feel as though physical separation prevents them from interacting with one another. It was discovered that employees were frustrated by the lack of noise and visual privacy. Although visibility and transparency are key to any workplace, a lack of privacy and structure can promote feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.
Before you design your new office layout, speak with your employees to get a sense of the environment that they would ideally thrive in. Instead of choosing a layout based on its popularity or trendiness, take your employees’ suggestions into real consideration. Studies suggest that the open office trend promotes a false sense of productivity.
Office furniture such as cubicles, desks, tables, and chairs don’t have to be boring. You can revamp your office affordably by purchasing used office furniture from Creative Office Furniture, based in Los Angeles and Orange County. They offer a wide selection of office furniture and interior services along at competitive prices.
You can visit the Office Furniture Design showroom in Los Angeles. Their services include space planning, furniture configuration and relocations, custom woodwork, and custom refinishing. Their catalog includes new, used, and refurbished furniture.
You can give them a call to book an appointment at their showroom.
Creative Office Design
5230 Pacific Concourse Dr #105, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
