The Open Office Dilemma: How We Found the Balance Between Collaboration and Focus
Open-plan offices were once the gold standard of modern workspaces—designed to encourage collaboration, flatten hierarchies, and increase flexibility. But anyone who’s worked in one knows the truth: it’s not all brainstorming and team bonding. Sometimes, it’s just loud, distracting, and hard to get anything done.
At our company, we faced the same challenge. While we loved the energy of working side by side, we also needed quiet corners for deep work, confidential meetings, and the occasional breather from the buzz. Here’s how we reimagined our space to support both collaboration and focus—without doing a complete overhaul.
1. Zoning the Space with Intention
The first step was to break the open plan into intentional zones. We designated areas for collaborative work, quiet zones for focused tasks, and semi-private nooks for one-on-one chats or solo thinking time.
We used physical dividers like acoustic panels, mobile shelves, and even plants to separate zones without closing them off. This helped reduce visual noise while maintaining a sense of openness.
2. Choosing Eco-Friendly Furniture That Performs
As we reimagined our office layout, we didn’t just want flexible solutions—we also wanted to make more sustainable choices. That led us to explore eco-friendly furniture options that offered both functionality and environmental responsibility.
We introduced desks and chairs made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials, and looked for certifications like GREENGUARD or FSC. Even small decisions—like switching to modular pieces that could be reused or reconfigured instead of replaced—added up.
The great thing is, when you search for office furniture in Singapore, there’s now a wide range of brands offering sustainable, stylish, and high-performance options. From bamboo desk frames to PET felt acoustic panels, we were able to build a space that reflects both our design sensibility and our commitment to the planet.
3. Prioritizing Acoustics
Noise was one of our biggest pain points. To fix it, we layered in acoustic solutions like hanging panels, sound-absorbing wall art, and carpets in high-traffic areas. Even subtle changes like soft-closing drawers and padded chairs helped dampen the overall soundscape.
Meeting rooms were equipped with soundproofing and video call setups to ensure confidential conversations and fewer distractions for those outside the room.
4. Encouraging a Culture of Respect
Design can only do so much. We also worked on building a culture where people are mindful of shared spaces—using headphones, stepping away for calls, and booking private areas when needed.
Small things, like gentle signage or team-wide reminders, helped reinforce the idea that focus and collaboration can coexist, as long as everyone’s on board.
