Office Partition Design Ideas for Modern Workplaces

Establishing an office is far more than selecting the right furniture and finishes that will look fantastic the first day. The way a space is laid out, with cabins, meeting rooms and open desks all have an impact on the comfort, productivity and organisation of the space on a day to day basis.

When selecting a partition design, businesses can be confident that they are selecting the right design to help create the space that truly serves the needs of the people that will be inside.

That's why commercial interior trade professionals like Serein Spaces make use of partitions according to the way the area will be utilized, not just how it will appear in a photograph.

This blog will go through various types of office partitions and when to use them, as well as how to design a partition that will truly match your work environment.

What is Office Partition Design

Office partition design is about using walls, panels or partitions to divide an open office into different spaces. This can include cabin walls or modular screens between workstations.

When selecting a partition, consider what activities will take place there:

• Privacy: Privacy may be desired in some areas, e.g. cabins, meeting rooms.
• Movement: The partition should not block the freedom of the people to move around in space.
• Light: Can the partition allow enough natural light into the space?

Getting these three things right can make the office more comfortable and practical for everyone.

Why is Partition Design important in a modern Office?

Most companies don't consider partitions until they sense a dissonance. Meetings get interrupted. Confidential discussions are held at the wrong time, place and with the wrong people. Adjacent to the noisiest area of the office are quiet groups who require a quiet space to work.

A well designed partition wall resolution can help to resolve these issues prior to their occurrence:

• Designated areas for specific activities and tasks such as work, meetings and collaboration.
• More favorable acoustics, as sound has less free way to move
• A layout which mirrors your teams' working methods through effective office space planning
• The ability to scale or reconfigurable as their team grows.

There are a variety of different types of office partitions to consider.

The choice of partition type will really depend on your budget, the privacy you require in each area and the amount of natural light you wish to maintain.

Glass partitions

Glass partitions are clear or frosted glass that can be used to partition an open space without obscuring the view. They are great for spaces such as meeting rooms, leadership cabins, client facing areas, as they allow the natural light to flow through the space while still providing separation.

Wooden partitions

Wooden partitions are installed with panels, solid or laminated, which provide private and enclosed space. They provide excellent sound barrier, warm and high quality tactile characteristics and are suitable for private cabins, consulting rooms and confidential meeting areas.

Cabin partitions

Cabin partitions require a bit of a different solution as a cabin should provide privacy, collaborate with the team if required and match the entire office aesthetic. A frosted glass band at eye level can be an easy solution for achieving a balance of both.

Creative Ideas For Office Partitions

Partitions can be used to create a design element instead of a functional barrier, here are a few creative ideas:

• Planter partitions, using greenery as a natural, low height divider
• Slatted wood or bamboo screens which let the light and air in
• Coloured or patterned glass or laminate panels displaying the company logo, colours or patterns.
• The ability to open and close room layouts with sliding or folding partitions. Sliding or folding partitions for rooms with switchable layouts.
• Partitions that have a mixture of materials, such as glass and wood or metal accents.

Sometimes, the little detail that is just right and in the right spot can make a partition look intentional instead of clichéd.

Small Office Partition Design: maximising available space.

A different challenge for smaller offices. Each partition requires floor space and an excess can be suffocating for a small space. There are a couple of things which always seem to work:

• Replace solid walls, full height, with glass or half height partitions.
• Use full cabins only for activities that truly require a full cabin, e.g., leadership or HR
• Have modular or fabric screens for flexibility as team expands
• Use light colours for the partitions, keeping them in keeping with the interior décor

With a well planned small office partition design, a small floor can feel more organised and spacious, as each of the areas will have a clear purpose.

Key Planning Considerations

It is useful to consider a few pragmatic points prior to completing a partition wall design:

• Acoustics. Proper Acoustic Treatment is needed for glass and fabric partitions in areas that are close to cabins for confidential conversations. Sound is better controlled when used alone in the form of solid or wood partitions. Learn more about the importance of acoustics in office design.
• Natural light. Solid full height partitions in the vicinity of windows can prevent light from filtering through to the remainder of the floor. Half height or glass partitions are used to capture the light.
• Building compliance and fire. Materials and placement of partitions must comply with local fire safety requirements, including in the exit routes and ventilation areas.
• Coordination between electrical and mechanical. Creating partitions while the service is being installed, instead of after installation, reduces rework and saves costs.
• Future flexibility. In a situation where the team is expected to increase, it is often more beneficial to invest in modular partitions in the long run instead of solid walls.

Making the right choice in partitioning for your business is essential.

The following few questions can help limit the options:

• Who is in need of privacy and how much? Leadership and HR typically require not only the highest degree of privacy but also less so than sales and customer support.
• What is the amount of natural light your floor receives at this time? For low light situations, choose light and half height plants.
• Will the team expand or change in the near future? Modular and aluminium framed partitions are more flexible than fixed construction.
• How much is your budget for this stage? Fabric and modular screens are cheaper in initial costs, but glass and wood may have a longer lifespan.

In most offices, rather than using only one material throughout, various materials are used in different zones as a combination. Well planned, that combination can typically make an office look and feel organized and functional.

How Serein Spaces Approaches Office Partition Design

Knowing What You Need

We learn how your teams work, what areas require privacy, light and space movement.

Selection of appropriate Partitions

Depending on the actual usage, we recommend the appropriate combination of glass, wood, aluminium or modular partitions.

Planning with the Layout

Partitions are planned in conjunction with the entire office design which means the space will remain functional and cohesive from the beginning.

End to End Execution

Serein Spaces handles the entire office fit-out services process from planning and design stages, to partition installation and final finishing.

Conclusion

The design of office partitions is not only about dividing space, it's about providing every area of your office with a distinct function. You can select from glass for openness, wood for warmth, aluminium for flexibility, or a combination of all three, the proper partition selections can help your team focus, your cabins feel private, and your floor plan grow with your business.

From initial planning meeting to installation, Serein Spaces can support you in determining the appropriate combination of partitions for your space, budget, and team to create a successful new office layout or renovate an existing space.

Frequently Asked Questions