Large businesses will have predetermined allowances for many levels of job functions based on corporate policy. For example, typical corporate standards are 250 square feet for vice presidents, 200 square feet for senior managers, 150 square feet for managers, 100 square feet for supervisors, and 48 to 64 square feet for secretarial and clerical staff. The designer is normally required to plan the facility using corporate standards when they exist. The designer should know whether certain individuals are to be given additional space for either functional or status reasons. The manager of the real estate division may be given a larger office to accommodate the review of large sets of drawings. A senior vice-president may be allocated a larger office than the other vice presidents. Accessibility codes will also require additional square footage for some employees.
The Office spaceplanning system is of great importance, as it facilitates the easy and smooth functioning of an office. Successful office planning, grouping and interconnection will facilitate easy movement, save time in traffic and locating a thing and help reduce the excess staff. The furniture and other arrangement of office system is based on gridiron and random types of layouts. The random layout depends on the designer’s whim, but gridiron based layout is worked out on a frame.
The grid plan allows for two types of systems: Open System and Closed System. In the open system, work spaces are arranged in a big hall while in the closed system, work spaces are arranged in cabins. The cabins can be either fully closed or partially closed, though partially closed is preferred by most as it combines the advantages of open system and fully closed cabin system.
Fewer full-height partitions are needed. Some permanent mechanical systems construction is reduced as well.
Less time is needed to dismantle workstations and reconfigure the spaces for new uses than for demolition and new construction of hard walls.
Reconfiguration of workstations can be done quickly and can easily meet individual employees' needs.
Open plans generally reduce costs for building and operating the HVAC system. Less ductwork, wiring and other kinds of hard equipment at the time of initial installation are required.
Panels and modular furniture are less expensive when compared to full-height walls.
Disadvantages
Loss of the private office remains an issue in many projects.
Open plans can be noisy if acoustical issues are not addressed.
A workstation has less status than an office. However, the styles of furniture and finishes available today make it easy for the designer to provide for distinctions in status.
Panels and components are initially more expensive than movable furniture and constructing walls. Systems become cheaper when the client needs to reconfigure space often.
Closed Cabin System Advantages
This system affords privacy which for some persons is essential for efficient and smart work.
It also give status to the employees because in most offices cabins are meant for executives only.
It gives incentive to individually minded employees as they are not under the physical supervision of ant one.
Disadvantages
It is more expensive as it requires bigger space, extra expense on cabins, made to order furniture, cost of installation of ventilation, electric, acoustic systems with better workmanship.
The privacy gained might lead to underhand dealings and unwanted affairs.
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