How to Divide Office Space with a Glass Partition?
An office may have an adequate footprint, yet everyday use can still feel cramped. A short client meeting disrupts staff concentration. The manager's desk sits in the traffic path, and there is no separate space for a work call. In such cases, before thinking about relocating, it is worth reviewing the office layout.
The glass partition provides the possibility of separating different sections while maintaining visual communication. However, the result depends on the location of the walls, the dimensions of the rooms and the details of the implementation. A proper division should organize daily tasks and provide light, ventilation and movement at the same time
Let's start dividing the space from the office schedule
Before drawing the location of the glass partition, it should be determined what the use of each part is. The number of employees, the amount of customer visits and the frequency of meetings are the primary information for this decision. An office that has a few visitors per day needs a different layout than one that does most of its work over the phone and online.
In examining office glass partition models, it is better to know the use of each space first. A photo of a beautiful office can give an idea, but it is not enough to choose the dimensions of the room, the location of the door and the type of glass. These details should be coordinated with the conditions of the same office.
Which activities require a separate room?
Meetings, HR discussions and long calls usually require a separate space. Conversely, employees who regularly coordinate with each other may be more comfortable working in a shared department.
To understand these needs, it is useful to even review the events of a working day: when does the noise cause a disturbance, where does the client wait, and which route is the most crowded?
If only the window of the office is located in a closed room, other parts will be away from direct light. The glass wall can keep part of the light passing through, but the location of the room and the arrangement of the items inside it are still important.
For example, a tall closet or an all-over opaque covering in the window path may limit the benefit of window transparency. It is better to check the light path from the window to the tables in the interior section when designing.
The reflection of the window on the screen can make it difficult to work. The direction of the tables and the possibility of light control with curtains should be seen next to the place of the office glass partition. Also, the room that is next to the window may receive more heat during the hours of the day. The decision about the glass window will not be complete regardless of the lighting and cooling conditions.
Commuting route before determining the dimensions of the rooms
On a blank map, a corridor may seem sufficient. But after placing the table, chair and wardrobe, the situation changes. A seat pulled back or an open door should not obstruct the passageway.
For this reason, the location of the furniture should be drawn along with the office partition. Designing the walls and postponing the arrangement until after the installation may lead to a room that has an area, but it is not comfortable to use. Where should the entrance of the room be?
It is better to place the door at a point where entry and exit have the least interference with the tables. In the meeting room, the access to the chairs should be checked after the arrangement. Choosing a hinged or sliding door depends on the available space and system specifications. The width of the useful passage, the access of people and the exit routes must be in harmony with the requirements of the building.
Transparency is not desirable for all departments of the office. The management room may require visual communication, but screens or documents on desks should not be visible from the corridor.
In this situation, the location and amount of matting should be selected based on the viewing angle. Implementing a fixed design on all rooms does not necessarily meet the needs of their users.
What problem does frosted glass solve?
Opaque glass or a suitable coating can limit direct vision. The height of the cover should be measured with the sitting and standing position of people; Especially in the rooms where the client passes by. This choice does not mean to prevent conversations from being heard. Privacy of vision and sound control are two independent issues and should be clearly stated in the order.
What is important for a meeting room?
Acoustic performance depends on the combination of walls, doors, fittings and surrounding conditions. Merely selecting a double-glazed glass partition model does not guarantee a certain result. The distance under the door, the joints and common paths above the false ceiling can affect the sound transmission. If confidentiality of conversations is a priority, technical review and performance specifications of the system should be part of the design.
Do not postpone the ventilation and facilities until after installing the office glass partition
Dividing a hall into several rooms changes the air circulation conditions. A space that was previously usable with a common system may need to be re-examined after separation.
The presence of a cooler or vent in the hall alone does not mean that all new rooms will have good conditions. The place of air entry and return, the capacity of the equipment and the number of users should be checked.
The lighting, electrical outlet, network and safety equipment of the building must also be compatible with the new plan. It is better to determine the need to move these components before the final measurement so that the implementation of the administrative partition does not cause rework.
Measure the dimensions of the room with real furniture
More rooms don't always make for a more functional office. A small room may accommodate a table, but it does not have a suitable space for the opening of the wardrobe, the movement of the chair or the presence of the client.
In the meeting room, the capacity should be determined based on the table and seating space. In the management department, the place where the guest sits and the way to access the equipment are also important.
Measuring existing furniture before designing is a simple and effective action. Sometimes, changing the location of the door or the limited movement of a wall makes it much easier to use the room.
Coordination with the appearance of the office partition
The color of the frame, the division of the glasses and the matting design have an effect on the appearance of the office. Repetition of multiple lines in a small space may make the environment appear crowded; While the division in harmony with the dimensions of the space creates a more regular result.
It is better to choose a framed or frameless glass partition after considering the operational and practical needs. The appearance of the portfolio is important, but the specifications of the door, the quality of the connections and the possibility of maintenance should also be seen.
In high-traffic routes, it is also important to be able to recognize the transparent wall. Proper marking can make the presence of glass clearer for users.
Review the map, before ordering the office partition
After the design is ready, the location of the walls and doors can be determined by temporarily marking the floor. This helps to better understand the dimensions of the rooms, the way of entry and the placement of furniture in the real space.
At this stage, the employees who are going to use the rooms can raise their practical needs. Sometimes an issue such as the location of the printer or the access to the closet was not seen on the original map.
To examine the implementation of the office partition in the Dartis complex, presenting the map, office images and explaining the use of the rooms can be the basis of the discussion about the plan. After checking the location and finalizing the details, the specifications of the glass, frame, door and scope of execution should be written. The desired result is an office where meeting, concentrated work and daily commuting have a suitable place.
To see examples of office glass partitions, visit Drtis's website.