In today’s fast-evolving work environment, the layout of your office isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s a strategic tool that directly impacts team productivity, wellbeing and business performance. With more companies rethinking how and where their people work, choosing between an open plan or zoned office fit out has become a pivotal decision.
At Corporate Interiors, we understand that every business is unique. That’s why we approach each office fit out project with a deep understanding of how space influences culture, communication and output. In this article, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of open plan and zoned layouts, helping you make the right choice to unlock productivity in your workplace.
What Is an Open Plan Office?
An open plan office is a workspace without interior walls or private offices, designed to foster communication and collaboration by placing employees in a shared environment.
Key Advantages of Open Plan Layouts:
- Encourages collaboration: With fewer barriers, colleagues can interact more easily, leading to faster problem-solving and innovation.
- Efficient use of space: Open layouts can accommodate more people in less square footage, often reducing real estate costs.
- Flexibility: Desks and workstations can be reconfigured easily as teams grow or change.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Noise and distractions: Without partitions, ambient noise can affect concentration.
- Lack of privacy: Sensitive conversations or focused work may be challenging.
- One-size-fits-all approach: Open plans may not suit all roles or personality types.
Open plan offices have become popular for fast-paced, creative environments where teamwork and visibility are key. But as with any design trend, success depends on how well it aligns with your company culture and daily operations.
What Is a Zoned Workspace?
A zoned office combines various types of spaces within a single layout, allowing different work styles to coexist. Typically, a zoned fit out includes open collaboration areas, private meeting rooms, quiet zones for focused tasks, and breakout spaces for informal interaction.
Benefits of Zoned Office Fit Outs:
- Task-based flexibility: Employees can choose the environment that suits the task at hand, improving output and satisfaction.
- Better noise control: Quiet zones and acoustic treatments help maintain focus.
- Encourages movement: Zoning promotes circulation and activity, which is linked to employee wellbeing.
- Futureproofing: Modular design allows zones to be adapted as business needs evolve.
Zoned layouts create a more balanced environment where both introverted and extroverted work styles are supported. They are especially beneficial in hybrid work models where space needs fluctuate.
Open Plan vs Zoned: Which Is Right for Your Business?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer – the ideal fit out depends on your people, processes and goals. Here’s how to assess what works best for your workplace:
Understand Your Team’s Working Style
Ask yourself:
- Do your teams need to collaborate frequently, or work independently?
- Are there roles that require confidentiality or deep focus?
- How does your team handle noise and distractions?
Consider Hybrid Working Patterns
With many companies adopting flexible schedules, the office needs to support both in-person and remote collaboration. Zoned spaces with video conferencing booths, hot-desking areas and quiet rooms can accommodate diverse work habits more effectively than a purely open plan.
Evaluate Company Culture
Your layout should reflect your brand values and culture. A dynamic, fast-moving startup might thrive in an open plan space, while a consultancy firm may prefer a more structured, zoned layout to support client calls and focused work.
How the Right Fit Out Boosts Productivity
An intelligently designed office directly contributes to higher productivity by supporting the way people work best. Research by the Leesman workplace index, a global authority on workplace effectiveness, shows that well-designed office environments significantly enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
Enhances Focus and Reduces Stress
Zoned layouts provide spaces for quiet concentration, while open plan areas can be acoustically treated or broken up with furniture and greenery to reduce noise levels.
Improves Communication
Open plan areas promote informal conversations and quick check-ins. Zoned designs offer flexibility for scheduled meetings or collaborative sessions, without interrupting others.
Supports Employee Wellbeing
Natural light, ergonomic furniture, thoughtful zoning and breakout spaces contribute to better mental and physical health – all proven drivers of productivity.
Increases Space Efficiency
By aligning your layout with actual usage patterns, you can optimise square footage and reduce unnecessary desk space, creating room for value-adding features like wellness rooms or agile meeting pods.
Fit Out Case Study: Expanding Productivity for Le Creuset
One of our success stories features Le Creuset, the premium cookware brand, who needed to expand their workspace without the costs or disruption of relocation. Their challenge was clear: create more office capacity while maintaining an environment that supports both productivity and brand identity.
Our solution centred around a cleverly designed mezzanine office fit out within their existing building. We delivered:
- A new upper-level office space featuring open-plan desking and private meeting rooms.
- Glazed partitioning to maintain a sense of openness while ensuring privacy.
- Carefully selected ergonomic furniture to support comfort and focus.
This fit out allowed Le Creuset to double their usable space while preserving the workflow of their team. The layout was tailored to promote collaboration across departments while giving staff the spaces they needed for quiet concentration and meetings.
By transforming unused vertical space into a fully functional, zoned working environment, we helped Le Creuset accommodate their growing team and create an inspiring place to work. It’s a great example of how the right fit out, aligned with operational goals, can unlock real productivity gains. Read the case study to learn more about the project.
The Role of a Strategic Fit Out Partner
Choosing the right layout is only part of the equation. Execution matters just as much.
At Corporate Interiors, we go beyond design trends. Our team combines workplace consultancy, interior design, space planning and project management to deliver fit outs that drive business results.
Why Our Approach Works:
- We listen first: Our consultancy-led process starts with understanding your people, culture and goals.
- We design with purpose: Every element serves a function – no wasted space, no generic layouts.
- We deliver with care: From planning permissions to furniture installation, we manage everything seamlessly.
Whether you’re planning a new fit out or looking to refresh your current space, partnering with experts ensures your investment delivers tangible benefits.
Final Thoughts: Design for How You Work
The debate between open plan and zoned offices misses the bigger point: your workspace should reflect how your business operates.
By tailoring your office fit out to the unique needs of your team, you create an environment that supports focus, fosters collaboration and enhances wellbeing. Ultimately, it’s about designing a space where people want to work – and where they do their best work.
Ready to transform your workplace? Get in touch with Corporate Interiors to start a conversation about your next office fit out.
