Open space has become the norm in many companies, not least for its advantages in terms of collaboration and flexibility. But to be truly effective, an open space must be carefully designed: acoustics, circulation, furniture, lighting, ergonomics... Everything counts.
Visit 8 key points to avoid common pitfalls and create a high-performance working environment.
1. Adapt the open space to the size of your team
Creating an efficient open space starts with a good estimate of the surface area required. Too small, and it becomes noisy and stressful. Too large, and it lacks warmth and is not conducive to interaction.
Recommended surfaces for an open space in Paris :
| Team size (people) | Recommended surface | Typical configuration | Items to consider |
| 2 à 5 | 20 to 35 sq.m. | Open space mini | Compact bench desks, small meeting tables, wall-mounted storage units, coffee corner |
| 6 à 10 | 40 to 60 sq.m. | Linear or L-shaped open space | Lined-up desks, shared table, kitchenette or coffee corner |
| 11 à 20 | 70 to 110 sq.m. | Open space segmented by team | Acoustic partitions, central storage, phone box if possible, kitchen area |
| 21 à 50 | 110 to 170 sq.m. | Cluster zoning / mixed flex office | Collaborative spaces, call boxes or acoustic booths, relaxation area, kitchen |
| over 50 | over 170m² in size | Modular spaces by department | Multiple meeting rooms, modular furniture, smooth circulation, kitchen or cafeteria |
💡 Pro tip : allow a minimum of 11 m² per person in a shared office, and up to 15 m² in noisy or high-density environments. These figures take into account workstations, circulation areas, storage, common rooms and equipment.
2. Acoustics to limit noise pollution
Ambient noise is one of the major obstacles in open spaces. It can reduce productivity by 66%. (source: Journal of Applied Psychology).
Concrete solutions:
- Install acoustic partitions between offices.
- Hang acoustic acoustic panels from the ceiling to absorb noise.
- Provide flexible floor coverings (carpet, acoustic vinyl).
- Incorporate green plants, which also act as natural insulators.
💡 Pro tip : Remember to demarcate "quiet" and "collaborative" zones to avoid interference.
3. Keep traffic flowing
Poor traffic flow can become a source of stress and conflict. Make sure your employees can get around easily, even at peak times.
Recommended standards:
| One-way corridor | 80 cm minimum |
| Two-way corridor | 150 cm minimum |
| Between two workstations | 120 cm minimum |
💡 Pro tip Avoid cul-de-sacs and encourage circular traffic around stations.
4. Choosing the right office furniture
Furniture isn't just a question of design, it's a lever for comfort and performance.
Essential elements :
Bench desks with integrated cable glands
They save space while facilitating cable management, for a clean, functional workspace.
Ergonomic chairs to prevent RSI
They support posture and reduce pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, promoting long-term employee health.
Modular storage units
Flexible and scalable, they adapt to the evolution of teams and changes in space configuration.
Individual lockers for flex office
They offer each employee a secure personal space, essential in an environment without a dedicated office.
High tables for informal meetings
They encourage rapid, dynamic exchanges, fostering spontaneous collaboration and creativity.
💡 Pro tip: Choose a range of office furniture consistent with your brand image.
5. Create zones differentiated by use
Working in an open space doesn't mean doing everything in the same place: each use has its own environment.
Examples:
💡Conseil pro : Zoning helps limit noise and improve quality of life at work.
6. Optimize natural and artificial lighting
Light has a direct impact on team concentration and morale, yet it is often overlooked in open space design projects.
Optimize it as follows :
- Favor positions near windows
- Provide adjustable LED
- Add auxiliary lamps on remote workstations
- Use light light colors on walls to reflect light
💡Pro tip: Ideally, reproduce a bright circadian rhythm to reduce eye fatigue.
7. Integrating nature into the workspace
The biophilia improves concentration, reduces stress and boosts creativity.
- Green plants depolluting
- Green walls in the recreation area
- Planted separators between substations
💡Pro tip: It's also a gentle way to visually structure the space.
8. Ergonomics by design
Ergonomics is the key to preventing the onset of musculoskeletal disordersthe leading cause of occupational illness in France (source: Assurance Maladie, 2023).
Recommendations:
- Desk height 72 to 75 cm
- Office chair with adjustable armrests and lumbar support
- Screen at eye level, 50-70 cm away
- Footrests if required
💡 Pro tip: Also offer height-adjustable desks to alternate sitting/standing.
To sum up the layout of an open space
The successful design of an open-plan workspace requires more than just the layout of workstations. It's a global approach that takes into account usage, comfort, acoustics, mobility and ergonomics.
A well-designed space means:
✅ More productivity
✅ Less turnover
✅ More well-being and creativity
✅ A better employer image
And if you'd like us to help you design or optimize your open space, K.R.E Concept has over 25 years of expertise in professional office design.
FAQ - Open Space Offices
What is the ideal surface area per person in an open space?
We recommend between 8 and 12 m² per employee in open space, depending on the level of comfort required, the type of activity carried out and the ancillary spaces available (meeting rooms, phone boxes, etc.). In Paris, where space is limited, optimization often involves shared, modular offices.
Can an open space be fitted out without major renovation work?
Modular furniture, self-supporting partitions and mobile acoustic solutions all make it possible to set up an efficient layout without major work. It's ideal for rental spaces or companies wishing to test a new organizational mode without structural commitment.
How do you adapt an open space to a hybrid model (face-to-face + teleworking)?
By adopting a flex office approach, with personal lockers, mobile spaces and a workstation reservation tool. This streamlines workflows, avoids empty offices and encourages collaboration when teams are present.
What are the indicators for assessing the success of an open space layout?
In addition to qualitative feedback from your teams, track concrete indicators such as actual occupancy rates, requests for space adjustments, repeated absences and average time spent in informal meetings. Tools such as occupancy sensors or internal surveys can help you objectify these data.