The "Open-Office" Trend / by Erik Hagen

As a long-time designer of open offices, I obviously have a strong opinion about this. But it might not be what you think it is: I agree and disagree.

As an architect, I have seen first hand the open office 'so-not-a-trend' unfolding for well longer than my just-shy-of 50 years. While the open office works best for collaborative team-based work (like creative design firms, interior designers, architects and the lot (probably why it's been pedaled so much)), I totally agree with many of you that there are just as many, if not more people like who just can't work in that kind of environment and need to have their own office (whew! that was a long run-on sentence!)!

To that end, I welcome, and more often start, free discussion with my clients entire team at the outset to establish who, what and how many private, semi-private and open offices are needed. Every office needs at least 1 if not 2 enclosed spaces.

Now watch out for the "next hot office trend": Floating Desks, which means Floating Offices are already here to stay too.