New London trend for open plan office space

BCO research says London firms are turning away from traditional modular office design

Article posted: 23 Sep 2011

A new study by the British Council of Offices has revealed that firms based at offices in London are opting more and more for open plan office space to encourage staff interaction and knowledge sharing.

The trend is seeing businesses move away from more traditional style modular office space, with open plan offices fast becoming the layout of choice. The BCO believes this to be one of the most important shifts in office space usage in recent years.

One of the leading suppliers of serviced offices in London, Avanta, has witnessed the trend across its business centres such as the Dover Street branch (pictured) which provides serviced offices in Mayfair. Geraint Evans, Avanta’s Sales & Marketing Director says open plan offices provide a number of benefits: “Open plan can allow for better communication and team spirit. Without closed doors or glass walls, communication and general office camaraderie can flow throughout the office resulting in a happier workforce and better internal communications.

“Team spirit is naturally stronger as employees can easily ask neighbouring colleagues for help, or advice on different day to day problems and tasks. Employees can also be arranged into departmental ‘pods’ allowing easier information flow and supervision from managers.

“In addition to this, without the dividing walls, you can accommodate more employees resulting in less dead space. An open plan layout will also be more cost effective to heat and cool than individual offices, and most likely, will be lighter due to fewer internal walls blocking out the natural light.”

As well as opting for more open-plan layouts, the BCO research highlighted an increase in the number of firms incorporating break-out space into their working environment to encourage staff members to socialise, network and interact while on breaks.

“The concept of a break-out area was non-existent 20 years ago,” states Matt Oakley, chairman of the British Council for Offices’ research committee, “But we are seeing more delivery of technology in these formal and informal working areas.

“A key purpose of the workplace is for sharing ideas including enhancing your product and service offerings, this won't happen by shutting people away.”

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Posted by Sara