In office design, two concepts are generally accepted: the traditional “closed” (or office-corridor) and open (Open Space). The first can be attributed, for example, to most government institutions in Russia: signs on the doors, long corridors, various "departments" and private offices. In terms of performance efficiency, such an office corresponds best to the linear-functional structure of the company with classical methods of coordination and management verticals.
It is worth noting that there are 2 main approaches to creating the interior of office space: American and European.
American approach
This interior design of the office is characterized by the presence of open space, it is characterized by dynamism, sometimes even a certain aggressiveness, which the company's management seeks to deliberately demonstrate. Main Featuresuch an approach is a commitment to the use of "pure" one of the possible styles.
European approach
This office interior design also includes the concept of open space, while mixing styles is possible within it. In such offices, hi-tech details calmly coexist with a unique Persian carpet. At the moment, experts identify several subspecies of the European style, determined by the furniture-manufacturing countries: Scandinavian, German, Italian, etc.
Let's dwell on the most established and pronounced styles of office space organization. Each of them, in addition to being used in the "historical homeland", has gained immense popularity in other countries.
Manhattan
Traditional American office, familiar to us from Hollywood films, can cause different reactions - from complete rejection to admiration. This style appeared in the thirties of the last century, in the era of the country's economic recovery after the Great Depression. It is often called "Wall Street", or "Manhattan", after the names of the largest business districts in New York. For most Americans, the meaning of life lies in work, while the cult of paid work, which is instilled here from childhood, is certainly reflected in the design of offices.
Its basis, as mentioned above, is Open Space - this is an open space, which consists only of columns and outer walls. Separate small rooms are reserved only for negotiations and relaxation, in addition, fortop managers. All other employees of the firm mostly sit in huge halls, which are partitioned off with furniture panels. Americans make even the interior of a small office as efficient and energizing as possible, trying to use every square meter of it with maximum benefit.
Most of the inhabitants of this country are so absorbed in their work that they arrange a small "Manhattan" in their own home. Huge studio apartments, which have a lot of space and light, huge windows and a minimum of furniture, are considered comfortable housing for an American. A home office is also set up here. The interior in such rooms is mostly very strict and seemingly devoid of individuality - a desk, a chair, the necessary office equipment, located in the corner of the room.
Democratic Europe
Now let's deal with this style. The interior of the office, created in the European style, is less monotonous than the American one. It uses light, sometimes transparent panels to delimit places, which perfectly transmit light, although nothing can be seen through them. A person working behind such a partition feels isolated: he does not see his neighbor, while the office remains light and bright.
Pan European approach
The common European office interior can be divided into different subspecies, which mainly differ in the principle of furniture selection. So, Scandinavian office furniture is light in color, mostly wood is used, sometimes laminate and metal. It has light forms in comparison with the American one, although in Europe it isfurniture is still considered the most "heavy".
But the Italians, the British and the French prefer laminate, which makes it easy to highlight the corporate colors of the organization in the office, as well as metal legs that create a feeling of lightness. Most likely, an Italian office interior designer will be able to offer you lightness, a variety of forms and sophistication - representatives of this country were able to make the main contribution to the creation of the entire pan-European style.
German approach
It represents the thoughtfulness of the location of each of the components of the workspace, the orderliness of the details, as well as the ergonomics and functionality of the furniture. In German interiors, pronounced practicality and rationality are softened by the presence of a huge number of flowers - among them are fresh flowers located on the windowsills, and their various images in the decor.
French approach
The French modern office interior is bright, light, not devoid of decor in the form of metal openwork details, mirrors, bright upholstery, as well as paintings in elegant gilded frames. This style in the interior brings some improvisation and disorder, although at the same time it gives it a unique charm.
English approach
The English office interior is elegant and austere. When creating jobs, the method of open space is used here. The offices of the authorities and meeting rooms are located in separate rooms. Peace and comfort reign in the traditional English office. In this place there is furniture made of expensive woods, high-quality office supplies, vases, paintings, books, antiques, carpets. In this style of interior design, one can trace not only functionality, but also nobility and solidity.
Scandinavian approach
Scandinavian-style office interior design is a minimum of decor and natural light colors, natural and simple materials. Such offices are open and spacious, workplaces are clearly organized, beige and light gray colors of walls and furniture create a positive atmosphere, and also help to concentrate on work.
This style is naturalness and simplicity, which are considered one of its main advantages.
Italian approach
Italian office interior is based on the idea of open space. It provides a huge number of redevelopment options, thereby allowing you to improve the premises, trying different design of work places in order to increase their efficiency. Along with open spaces, this place also provides isolated rooms (meeting rooms, executive offices, meeting rooms). The Italian style as a whole is distinguished by elegance, grace, in addition, the high quality of the interior components. Ergonomic shapes, expensive materials, airy and light curtains, flower vases, paintings, carpets. It's all in warm colors.
Bank offices
Traditionally, the working space of bank offices is divided into 2 parts. ATthe first are separate offices for management. Modern cold design in this place is contraindicated: the interior of the office in the office, designed in this style, the bank positions as young and aggressive, which means that it has recently entered the market. Therefore, it is better to maintain its atmosphere in the classic English style, which gives partners a sense of respectability and reliability at the associative level.
In the other part, which is intended for all other employees, the room is mainly organized in the Open Space format. Here, separate corners are fenced off for middle managers. When equipping such an office, an open area must be organized in such a way that people feel like a single team, while being able to maintain personal space. Most often, low partitions are used for this in bank offices.
Law Firm Offices
Here, the environment should show conservatism, conscientiousness and stability. This implies the requirements for design and interior: rationality, rigor, full compliance with the status and position of the company; plus to all this, a clear hierarchy can be traced in the structure of the office. It is worth noting that the cabinet system is more suitable for ensuring negotiations. Traditional style furniture is used to create a secure positive image.
Offices of engineering companies
The offices of technology and engineering companies are mostly filled with furniture, although they are compact and ergonomic. Therefore, the ide althe solution for these spaces is the Open Space layout with low partitions. Here, aesthetics moves to second place, while convenience and comfort come first. Although this applies only to workspaces where representative functions are not very important. At the same time, the office of the head must be equipped according to the rules. If it is decorated antique or it is designed in the neoclassical style, it is unlikely to be able to make a proper impression on visitors. In the design of such offices, high-tech style would be more appropriate.
Consumer Markets Offices
Such offices want to showcase the product in person. Due to this, there is a slight exaggeration in the interior, in addition, a conscious extravagance. Basically, laminate of different shades, metal and glass are used as materials. Unusual lighting, bright colors, the use of the latest developments of designers are acceptable here. The main goal is to impress without losing its stylistic integrity.
Offices of advertising companies
Editors, PR and advertising agencies use the advantages of an open office more often than other companies. Such offices are more likely to gravitate towards the American way of interior design. In these companies, democracy is inherent in their structure - the leader is always open to new ideas, as well as to communicate with subordinates. In such offices, the requirements for furniture are multifunctionality and ergonomics. For example, you can use office shelving as partitions.
In addition to the European and American approaches to creating an office interior, you can also take out the Japanese approach.
Japanese approach
Exceptional industriousness and hard work of the Japanese, their solidarity, discipline, restraint are known throughout the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that their interiors are based on logic, harmony and simplicity. The furniture is distinguished by the unity of material and forms, the repetition of elements and some asymmetry, as well as mostly smooth surfaces. Light colors are mainly used: beige, milky, white. Natural cotton and silk are used for decoration.
Here, the style of office design is based on the principle of hierarchy and functionality. Each employee occupies a workplace in the area assigned to him in accordance with his position in the company. So, ordinary employees sit in open and spacious rooms where there are no partitions. Opposite is the workplace of the head. Consequently, each of the employees sits facing the boss, which allows him to exercise full control over his subordinates.
It is worth noting that the European approach also implies a focus on the activities of the company, which is also important, since the situation in each office should demonstrate the corporate style of the company.
Russian office
In our country, only a few use open spaces in their offices (as a rule, the exceptions are the editorial offices of magazinesand newspapers). The majority still use the "Soviet" version of the traditional type of office - a huge number of offices, each with several employees. Our hierarchy consists of only 2 positions: the leader and the rest. Therefore, the whole office is organized in this way. The director's office is the most spacious. In creating the interiors of Russian leaders, the classical style mainly prevails. Its design is emphasized thoroughly, solidly, expensively, sometimes luxuriously. All objects here are massive or look like that. Expensive materials are used, cabinets, cabinets and tables are often decorated with various prestigious accessories.
Although in recent years in St. Petersburg, Moscow and other big cities there have appeared leaders who strive to look modern. Most of them prefer the European style when organizing offices. Room managers like this shoot in modern buildings that have a lot of air and space, install mobile, lightweight, reconfigurable furniture with a huge amount of metal parts.
According to experts, offices consisting of a huge number of small rooms will gradually disappear in Russia. Now more promising are the premises that are formed by open large spaces and are easily reconfigured and formed, as well as where you can make a modern and functional office interior with your own hands. Modern office buildings are built exactly according to this principle. Here, each floor hasthe central hall, outer walls, service unit, columns, while everything else is created by the owner of the premises. In fact, this way of using space is dictated by the architecture of buildings.
