Balancing collaboration and privacy in academic workspaces

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of two different academic office environments in supporting collaboration and privacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of case studies involving post‐occupancy questionnaire surveys of academic occupants.

Findings

The combi‐office design was found to be associated with higher levels of occupant satisfaction than the open‐plan office design, with respect to support for collaboration and privacy.

Research limitations/implications

The findings highlight the importance of understanding user requirements and the role of office space as a cognitive resource.

Practical implications

Designers should consider the default location of occupants when designing academic and other creative workspaces.

Social implications

Academic creativity and innovation are seen to be important for society. However, there needs to be a better understanding of how to support this through workspace design.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the small but growing body of research on academic office design and creative workspaces in general.

Citation

Parkin, J.K., Austin, S.A., Pinder, J.A., Baguley, T.S. and Allenby, S.N. (2011), "Balancing collaboration and privacy in academic workspaces", Facilities, Vol. 29 No. 1/2, pp. 31-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771111101313