In the design of the office, two concepts are generally accepted: the traditional “closed” (or cabinet-corridor) and open (Open Space). The first can be attributed, for example, to the majority of state institutions in Russia: door signs, long corridors, various “departments” and personal accounts. In terms of operational 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 premises: American and European.
American approach
This interior design of the office is characterized by the presence of open space, and is characterized by dynamism, periodically even some aggressiveness, which the company management seeks to consciously demonstrate. The main feature of this approach is a commitment to the use of one of the possible styles “in pure form”.
European approach
This office interior design also includes the concept of open space, and it is possible to mix styles within its framework . In such offices, hi-tech details quietly coexist with a unique Persian carpet. To date, experts identify several subspecies of the European style, determined by the furniture manufacturing countries: Scandinavian, German, Italian, etc.
Let us dwell on the most established and pronounced styles of organizing office space. Each of them, except for use in the "historical homeland", has gained immense popularity in other countries.
Manhattan
The traditional American office, familiar to us from Hollywood films, can cause a different reaction - 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 period of the Great Depression. It is often called “Wall Street,” or “Manhattan,” according to the names of New York’s largest business districts. For most Americans, the meaning of life lies in work, while the cult of paid labor, which has been inculcated here since childhood, has certainly affected the design of offices.
The basis of it, as mentioned above, is Open Space - this is an open space that consists only of columns and external walls. Separate small rooms are reserved only for negotiations and relaxation, in addition, for senior managers. All other employees of the company mainly sit in huge halls, which are enclosed by furniture panels. Americans make even the interior of a small office as efficient and energizing as possible, striving to use every square meter with maximum benefit.
Most of the inhabitants of this country are so absorbed in their work that they organize a small “Manhattan” in their own home. Huge studio apartments, in which there is a lot of space and light, huge windows and a minimum of furniture, are considered comfortable housing for an American. It also creates a home office. The interior in such rooms is mostly very strict and as if devoid of individuality - a desk, a chair, the necessary office equipment, located in the corner of the room.
Democratic Europe
Now we will deal with this style. The office interior, created in the European style, is less monotonous than the American. It uses light, sometimes transparent panels to distinguish 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 a neighbor, while the office remains light and bright.
Pan-European approach
The pan-European office interior can be divided into different subspecies, which mainly differ by the principle of furniture selection. So, Scandinavian office furniture in light shades, it mainly uses wood, sometimes - laminate and metal. It has light forms in comparison with the American, although in Europe such furniture is still considered the most "heavy".
But Italians, British and French prefer the 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, the Italian interior designer of the office 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 reasonableness of the location of each of the components of the workspace, the ordering of details, as well as the ergonomics and functionality of the furniture. In German interiors, pronounced practicality and rationality are mitigated by the presence of a huge number of flowers - among them are fresh flowers located on window sills and their various images in the decor.
French approach
The French modern office interior is bright, light, and not without 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 confusion, although at the same time it gives it a unique charm.
English approach
The English office interior is elegant and austere. When creating jobs here, the open space technique is used. The offices of the authorities and meeting rooms are located in separate rooms. In a traditional English office, peace and comfort prevail. In this place there is furniture from expensive varieties of wood, 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
The interior design of the office in the Scandinavian style is a minimum of decor and natural light colors, natural and simple materials. Such offices are open and spacious, workplaces are clearly organized, the beige and light gray colors of the walls and furniture create a positive atmosphere, and also help to focus on work.
Such a style is naturalness and simplicity, which are considered one of its main advantages.
Italian approach
The Italian office interior is based on the idea of open space. It provides a huge number of redevelopment options, thereby making it possible to improve the premises by trying various design workplaces in order to increase their efficiency. Along with open spaces, isolated places are also provided in this place (meeting rooms, executive offices, meeting rooms). The Italian style as a whole is distinguished by elegance, grace, in addition, the high quality of the components of the interior. Ergonomic shapes, expensive materials, airy and light curtains, flower vases, paintings, carpets. It is all necessary in a warm gamut of colors.
Bank Offices
Traditionally, the workspace of bank offices is divided into 2 parts. In the first are separate rooms for management. Modern cold design in this place is contraindicated: the interior of the office in the office, designed in this style, is positioned by the bank as young and aggressive, which means it has recently entered the market. Therefore, it is better to maintain its atmosphere in the classical English style, giving partners a feeling of respectability and reliability at associative level.
In another part, which is intended for all other employees, the premises are mainly organized in the Open Space format. Here, for middle managers, separate corners are fenced off. By equipping such an office, the open area must be organized in such a way that people feel themselves as a single team, while being able to maintain personal space. Most often, low partitions are used in banking offices for this.
Law Offices
Here, the situation should show conservatism, integrity and stability. Hence, 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 traced in the structure of the office. It should be noted that the cabinet system is more suitable for negotiations. To create a reliable positive image, traditional-style furniture is used.
Offices of engineering companies
The offices of technology and engineering companies are mostly full of furniture, although they are compact and ergonomic. Therefore, the ideal solution for these rooms 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 workrooms where representative functions are not too important. At the same time, the manager’s office must be equipped according to the rules. If it is decorated in antiquity or it is designed in the neoclassical style, it is unlikely to be able to impress visitors. In the design of such offices, the hi-tech style will be more appropriate.
Offices of Consumer Market Participants
Such offices want to showcase the product in person. Due to this, there is a slight exaggeration in the interior, in addition, deliberate extravagance. Laminate of various shades, metal and glass are mainly used as materials. Unusual lighting, vibrant colors, the use of the latest designs by designers are acceptable here. The main task is to impress, while not losing their stylistic integrity.
Advertising Offices
Editorial offices, PR and advertising agencies use the advantages of an open office more often than other companies. Such offices are more likely to gravitate toward the American way of interior decoration. In these companies, democracy is embedded in their structure - the leader is always open to new ideas, as well as to communicate with subordinates. In such offices, the furniture requirements 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, the Japanese approach can also be made.
Japanese approach
The exceptional industriousness and capacity for work of the Japanese, their unity, discipline, restraint are known throughout the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that their interiors are based on logic, harmony and simplicity. Furniture is distinguished by the unity of material and shapes, the repetition of elements and some asymmetry, as well as mostly smooth surfaces. The main colors used are light: beige, milky, white. For the decor, natural cotton and silk are used.
Here, the style of office design is based on the principle of hierarchy and functionality. Each employee occupies a workplace in the area that is allocated 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. Therefore, each of the employees sits to the boss face, which allows him to exercise full control over his subordinates.
It is worth noting that the European approach also implies focusing on the activities of the company, which is also important, as the situation in each office should demonstrate the corporate identity of the company.
Russian office
In our country, only a few use open spaces in their offices (as a rule, editorial offices of magazines and newspapers make up the exceptions). Most of them 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, this is how the whole office is organized. The director’s office is the most spacious. In the creation of the interiors of Russian leaders, the classical style predominates . Its design is emphasized thoroughly, solidly, expensively, sometimes luxuriously. All items here are massive or look so. Expensive materials are used, often cabinets, cabinets and tables are decorated with various prestigious accessories.
Although in recent years leaders have appeared in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other big cities, striving to look modern. Most of them, when organizing offices, prefer the European style. Such room managers rent in modern buildings, in which there is a lot of air and space, install mobile, light, reconfigurable furniture with a huge amount of metal parts.
According to experts, in Russia, offices consisting of a huge number of small rooms will gradually begin to disappear. Now the rooms are more promising, which are formed by open large spaces and can easily be reconfigured and formed, as well as where it will be possible to make a modern and functional office interior with your own hands. Office modern buildings are being built exactly on this principle. Here on each floor there is a central hall, external walls, a service unit, columns, while the rest is created by the owner of the room. In fact, this way of using space is dictated by the architecture of buildings.