1/5/2009 8:05:45 PM

Office Interiors

The planning of an office interior is vital to any company because it sets the tone for the whole organisation – a cluttered and disorganised set-up may encourage poor working practices, whilst a well-planned and calm working space will be conducive to a relaxed and settled atmosphere.

Certain critical elements make up the office interior. A key part of this, especially in a large, busy office, is the partitioning system. This is hardly the most exciting element of office design but getting it right can have an extremely positive impact.

The three things to think about when choosing your office partitioning system are aesthetic qualities, functionality and adaptability of the screens. Aesthetics are important because your employees will be facing these screens all day, every day, so choosing one that is attractive to the eye will make life a lot more interesting. Functionality is key – if the screen does not serve the purpose for which it was purchased, then what is the point? Lastly, the partitioning system should have adaptability. This is crucial if it is going to be used for any length of time, as staff rotation and turn over will no doubt mean that your office layout will change from time to time, and the screens will need to adapt to these changes.

The main styles to think about are outlined below.

Classic

Classic partitions ensure three things – simplicity, efficiency and through an uncomplicated build system, flexibility. These are all excellent performance qualities in any efficient partitioning system. Classic designs also often provide the best value for money.

Designer

Some very modern designer partitions exist and these are synonymous with style; ideal with companies looking to create a dramatic first impression. Partitions of this nature tend to be more expensive, especially if you are looking for performance and versatility in addition to a great visual impact.

Glazed

Glazed partitions allow light to spill through into the workplace and can help to give a greater feeling of space. At the same time they effectively provide shielded office zones where focus and creativity may flourish. If noise reduction between offices is a concern, double glazed screens could be employed, but these come at a higher price. A designer element can be added to glazed partitions through tasteful glass decoration or coloured panelling.