Table of Contents
Introduction
Businesses have ditched private offices for open-plan offices to promote a collaborative culture. However, the one-size-fits-all approach is not always optimal for all individuals.
Typically, an office has a mix of introverts and extroverts. Thus, it is crucial to design your workspace in a conducive and inclusive way for your employees to reach their full productivity potential.
In this blog, we will discuss the varying social preferences of introverts and extroverts and suggest some tips for designing an office that will accommodate both.
Introverts VS Extroverts: How Do Their Social Preferences Differ?
1. Introverts
Introverts are reserved individuals who prefer solitude for creative inspiration and rejuvenation. An open office layout can be a nightmare for them as the constant sensory stimulation can drain them out. They prefer dedicated spaces away from high-traffic areas, allowing them to focus and work quietly.
2. Extroverts
Extroverts are expressive people who enjoy exchanging their ideas and opinions with others. They look forward to participating in brainstorming sessions, group activities and social events at work. The open office layout or hot desking system works in their favour, as both encourage social interaction.
Tips for Creating an Introvert-friendly Workspace
1. Build Quiet Corners
Consider reserving a corner of your office as the ālibraryā – a quiet area to practise deep work. These are booth-like, private work pods that accommodate 2 to 6 professionals. You may even invest in a two-seater soundproof pod to minimise exterior noise. If you have an open pod in your office, carpet flooring or upholstered seating will absorb unwanted noise.
2. Consider Strategical Seating Options
Your office should have communal areas and social spaces equally welcoming to introverts and extroverts.
Windsor is the perfect soft-seating armchair with a shield option available in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Its concave shield offers a sense of focus by blocking out any distractions in the workplace.
You may even opt for a high-backed, acoustic soft seating sofa, such as Saify or Maalay 2, allowing introverts to signal their desire for privacy while working in a collaborative environment.
For enhanced acoustic privacy in an open-plan office, you may choose a soft-seating sofa such as Safwan or Safia with an upholstered roof.
3. Incorporate Meeting Pods
A meeting room with many chairs and a large table can be intimidating to introverts. Instead, consider installing a meeting pod such as Taifa, which accommodates only 2 to 4 employees. Saanjh creates an intimate, practical meeting space while facilitating focused working in breakout spaces. In addition, the Ujal 1 meeting booth is acoustically optimised during informal meetings or small gatherings.
4. Install Desks with Dividing Screens
Operational desks with a dividing screen or a side panel create a physical boundary that helps introverts feel more in control of their personal space and less exposed to unwanted interactions or visual distractions in the workplace. In addition, these privacy-enhancing desk dividers help introverts refocus their energy by isolating them from a socially active environment.
Also read: 5 Common Office Desk Personalities: Which One Are You?
Tips for Creating an Extrovert-Friendly Workspace
1. Introduce Movable Furniture
Sitting for too long can hurt the creativity and productivity of extroverts. The flexibility of movable furniture contributes to their sociability by allowing them to move around and collaborate. Therefore, you should invest in a rolling executive chair with a tilt locking mechanism to provide stability and some gentle rocking to get your employeesā creative juices flowing.
2. Set Up Social Spaces
Create communal areas that allow for collaboration, brainstorming sessions and informal discussions. Creating a dedicated space for socialising will prevent extroverts from collecting in hallways or at individual workstations, which could disturb other introverted employees.
You may install stools like Cirocco 2 or Kobe next to your office kitchen or breakout area to create an informal meeting space for extroverts to mingle with like-minded colleagues. Also, consider investing in a large modern meeting table and some comfortable lounge chairs with whiteboards and projector screens to make project meetings more productive.
Also read: How to Reflect Your Companyās Culture Through Workplace Design
3. Build Multiple Breakout Areas
You must create multiple breakout areas throughout your workspace and divide them into zones dedicated to specific job functions or project teams. This will help employees with similar workstyles to group together, enabling them to collaborate without disturbing those who prefer solitude.
A rectangular meeting table and a round leather breakout stool can be a stylish addition to your breakout area.
4. Pay Attention to Acoustics
While extroverts enjoy a lively environment, too much noise can become overwhelming. Glass partitions are an excellent solution to minimise noise and ensure privacy at the workplace. Moreover, to create a more comfortable and functional work environment for everyone, install a soundproof phone booth with ventilation and upholstered acoustic panels to reduce sound transmission.
Also read: Managing Workplace Acoustics Effectively: Why They Are Important?
Wrapping Up
A balanced office design allows employees to choose the space that suits their work style, regardless of their personality type. Therefore, your office should include a mix of private and collaborative zones to facilitate a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
Auraa Design has been designing modern office furniture and developing customised solutions for 25+ years. Whether you need help with furniture placement or modern office furniture shopping, contact us to create a thoughtfully designed office with our free space planning consultation.
