“Office design has moved from cubicles and closed doors to a more humane layout,” says designer Sean Cassar from Design Hub Malta, an interior and exterior design service that caters for both residential and commercial clients.

“Open plan spaces and the hotdesking concept offer various advantages thanks to their democratic layout. There is no strict hierarchy and everyone can equally enjoy features such as windows and light,” Cassar says.

Sean Cassar. Photo: Jason Borg

“Of course, there are some tasks that demand privacy and greater levels of concentration. For this, you can consider installing sound absorbing separators that reduce ambient noise while providing privacy. However, this solution doesn’t separate colleagues: just by standing up, someone can still talk to and collaborate with a colleague.” For Cassar, the primary consideration when designing an office space is the client.

“An office has to communicate a company’s mission, vision and values. The corporate identity of a company has to be reflected in its office’s design and this has to be clearly communicated to both employees and clients visiting the office.” Another consideration is functionality.

Clean design allows for more productivity

“An office has to be aesthetically pleasing – it’s a space which has to welcome both staff and clients and make them feel good.

“However, form has to be married to function. An office needs storage solutions, a friendly layout and has to incorporate technology in a way that this is used as a tool rather than act asa distraction.

“A photocopier, for instance, has to be placed where it can be reached easily by everyone: however, since it generates a lot of traffic, it cannot be placed in the vicinity of desks.

“Due consideration also has to be given to effective light positioning and allocating space for different tasks.

“Reducing clutter is also very important: clean design allows for more productivity. One effective way of reducing clutter is to use raised flooring. This can be used to conceal wires and connections – it also contributes to insulation and noise cancellation. To further reduce ambient noise, avoid the use of hard surfaces such as glass, as non-porous materials tend to echo. Noise has to be absorbed by something: consider, for instance, using timber floors, which are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Natural moss is also an interesting idea: not only does it reduce humidity and noise but it’s also a natural material.

“Another idea to bring the outdoors in is using fake skylights. You can cut out a recess in the ceiling, cover it with a large format photo of the sky, and direct light on it: that way, it looks as if you have the sky above your head. This solution gives such a feeling of openness.”

For Cassar, an office has to be geared towards productivity – after all, it’s a space for work. However, that doesn’t mean that it has to be boring.

“When I design offices, I always try to include a relaxation area where employees can organise events, hang out or simply have a chat. You can also consider setting up games such as a billiards table. Games are fun but they also add an element of collaboration and healthy competition. Moreover, thanks to such fun elements, employees will start looking forward to going to the office.”