Open Plan vs Activity-Based Working: Which is Right for You?

The Evolution of Office Design

The way we design workplaces has evolved dramatically. The traditional private office gave way to open plan in the 2000s, and now activity-based working (ABW) is reshaping how we think about space allocation and work styles.

Open Plan

Open plan offices feature rows of desks with minimal physical barriers. Everyone has an assigned desk.

Pros

• Space efficient (10–12 sqm per person)
• Encourages casual interaction and collaboration
• Lower fitout cost per person
• Easy to reconfigure as teams change

Cons

• Noise and visual distractions reduce focus work productivity
• Lack of privacy for confidential conversations
• Can feel impersonal and factory-like
• "Desk ownership" can create territorial behaviour

Activity-Based Working (ABW)

ABW provides a variety of work settings — from quiet focus zones to collaborative hubs — and employees choose the setting that best suits their current task. No one has an assigned desk.

Pros

• Supports different work modes (focus, collaborate, learn, socialise)
• Better space utilisation (especially with hybrid work)
• Promotes movement and variety throughout the day
• Attracts talent who value flexibility and autonomy

Cons

• Requires a cultural shift — not all teams adapt easily
• Technology investment needed (lockers, booking systems, screens)
• Can reduce team cohesion if not managed well
• Higher fitout cost per sqm (though potentially lower cost per person due to desk sharing)

Which is Right for You?

The answer depends on your work patterns, culture, and appetite for change:

• Choose open plan if your team does mostly similar work, values consistency, and you want simplicity.
• Choose ABW if your team has diverse work modes, you embrace hybrid working, and you want to maximise space efficiency.
• Consider a hybrid approach: Assigned neighbourhoods for teams with shared ABW zones for collaboration and focus.

Whatever you choose, the key is aligning your workspace design with how your people actually work — not how you think they should work.