Type of office Shared office

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Ideal for close cooperation

According to ASR A1.2, shared offices are in the category of cellular offices. They are 'usually arranged along a building’s outer wall and are accessible via a shared corridor. Multi-person offices consist of up to six office or VDU workplaces, as a rule.' (Definition by ASR A1.2)

Multi-person offices are very suitable for cooperation between people who work in close collaboration. In shared offices, it’s easier for employees to communicate intensely and temporarily step in for one another. If several employees regularly communicate with other people on the phone or in person in their own offices, sound absorbers should be placed between the workplaces.


Advantages:

  • close cooperation within a team or department is possible
  • high degree of confidentiality compared to other corporate units
  • relatively easy coordination of adjustments of temperature and lighting and the organization of office space

Disadvantages:

  • comparatively lots of space required 
  • employees might disturb one another
  • little flexibility to make changes if there are solid walls
  • lack of transparency

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Are you looking for inspiration for furnishing your shared office? Then take a look around the workplace showrooms at IBA Forum.


Examples:

Cellular office structure with single and multi-person offices
Cellular office structure with single and multi-person offices Lupe_grau

According to ASR A1.2, the design of multi-person offices should provide between 8 m2 and 10 m2 of space at a minimum for each workplace.

Independently of the room design, the only rooms that may be used are those 'whose floor space comprises at least 8 m2 for the first workplace in a room and at least 6 m2 for each additional workplace'. In addition, every employee must be provided with at least 12 m3 of air space. (Note: These requirements do not apply to conference and training rooms.)