How office zoning affects productivity

Today there is no clear distinction between life and work. The concepts of the work schedule have also changed: more and more companies give preference to a relaxed work schedule, although the conditions for a normalized working day also become less.

With such a rhythm and mode, it is difficult to sit in a chair for 8-10 hours. I want to work lying down, change the scenery or just think for 20 minutes in silence. But in most offices this is not possible.

In addition, workers simply have nowhere to go for personal affairs - they have to hide in pantries and toilets. No personal space.

Of course, an increase in space will entail higher costs for each employee, but will increase efficiency and level of satisfaction.

According to BCG (Boston Consulting Group - an American management consulting company) research, increasing the personal space of an employee by 5% increases productivity by 15%.

Increasing personal space does not mean that you need to expand the passages around the employee’s desktop. We are talking about lounges, coffee and lunch areas, meeting rooms and other non-working rooms.

For example, in the Adidas Group office, almost 40% of the area is reserved for work-free areas. For comparison, Russian companies give these premises an average of 3-8% of the total quadrature.

Why open space has become obsolete
About 20 years ago, in Russia began a massive fashion for open-type offices - open space. After almost 2 decades, employers have noticed that this way of organizing space has significant disadvantages. The main thing is noise.

Dozens of people are sitting in huge rooms: one is talking on the phone, the other is discussing something with the third, and the chair is creaking disgustingly at the other. Yes, open space creates a sense of team and cohesion. However, constant noise is not only distracting, but also causing stress.

The cabinet system is an antagonist of open space, also a bad idea. Here, employees sit each in their booth with no windows and space around. An atmosphere not conducive to the flight of thought.

The best option for organizing a workspace is a mixture of the above two. Experts advise building an office center from non-working separate rooms: meeting rooms, dining areas, quiet rooms, showers, kitchens and so on. And already around to place open space.

Features of the design of non-working zones
The office should be diverse and even a little lurid. Thus, moving from room to room, you will have the feeling of a little trip.

Dining areas should distract from working thoughts, and lounges should create a sense of detachment.

Do not forget, each has its own rhythm of work and needs. Therefore, non-working areas also need to be divided: meeting rooms for a large number of people and 2-3 people, a common dining room with refreshments for those who like to dine alone.

Be sure to leave room for the game room and the room "to lie down." If possible, highlight the “loners”: sofas with a screen, armchairs “egg” or niches in the wall for privacy. For example, in one of the head offices of Sberbank for employees purchased individual capsules for sleep.

To maintain the lightness and airiness of the open space, we recommend making the walls glass. This is not only beautiful, but also practical - glass can be used instead of boards and made notes on them during discussions or left notes to each other.

Norms SanPiN
According to the sanitary and epidemiological requirements for a workplace with a computer in the office, each should have at least 4.5 square meters. The width of the aisles between tables should not be less than 1.2 meters, and in front - at least 1 meter.