Office Accommodation and Layout
Office accommodation and layout tests location decisions, the open-versus-private choice, and environmental controls such as lighting, ventilation and noise. Answer with the work performed and the people affected, not with decoration.
Core rules
- Location factors: centrality to customers and staff, transport, rent and taxes, parking, utilities, safety, expansion space, labour supply and environmental quality.
- Layout principles: straight-line workflow, proximity of related jobs, flexibility, supervision, safety and minimum movement.
- Open office: low partitions, easy supervision and communication, space saving, but noise, distraction and less confidentiality. Private office: concentration and confidentiality, but higher cost and weaker supervision.
- Lighting: combine natural and artificial light, avoid glare and shadows, provide adequate uniform illumination for the task.
- Ventilation: control temperature, humidity and fresh air; poorly ventilated offices reduce accuracy and increase fatigue.
- Noise control: separate noisy machines, use carpets and acoustic panels, site telephones and printers away from concentrated work.
Worked example
A bank plans a front office. Tellers need supervision and customer contact, so an open counter area suits them. The manager and cash vault need confidentiality and security, so private enclosed rooms are placed behind the counter. A photocopier is put in a separate alcove. Reasoning: layout follows workflow, confidentiality and noise sources rather than a single preference for open or private space.
Traps
- Do not claim open offices are always cheaper or always better; privacy and noise are trade-offs.
- Do not confuse ventilation with air-conditioning only.
- Do not ignore glare: more light is not automatically better.
- Do not place a noisy duplicator beside accounts work.