Physical layout elements
> Physical layout elements
Doors | Windows | Walls |
Pillars | Ceilings |
Flooring | Partitions | Signs |
Worktops | Storage | See also
Physical elements within buildings all have an effect on how the space is
experienced and all can be used to create the experience desired.
Highways most of the way.
Primary circulation routes, like freeways, that take you most of the way to your
destination are helpful.
People walk faster in wider aisles. Narrowing the aisles will slow them down.
Insulation and interest along primary routes.
Working adjacent to primary circulation can be distracting. On the other hand, a
primary route which has high walls along it can isolating and confusing.
Find a balance that suits the local
environment. Seek to maintain social connection, avoiding high partitions where
Particularly where high partitions are used,
provide visual interest along the route.
Narrow aisles that cause people to touch one another (or move to avoid this) as
they pass make people feel uncomfortable.
Walking that flows.
Moving along aisles, both the highways and byways, can be an easy and
comfortable flow or it can be awkward and stilted.
Obtuse angles, rounded corners, smooth curves,
clear signage, adequate width, no obstacles, all contribute to flow.
Moderate aisle length.
Short aisles with twists and turns create a confusing maze. Long aisles are
tiring on the eyes and can make navigation more difficult.
Dead ends discourage visitors and the secondary circulation aisle becomes de-facto team
Looped side aisles
off primary routes, balance a degree of quiet and privacy
with the ability of people to walk by without feeling they are intruding.
Workstations next to primary circulation routes are easier to get to and easier
to visit. They may also be noisier and are less private.
Where aisles cross, or at Y-junctions, people can easily collide as each assumes
they have right of way. T-junctions prevent this.
Aisles can be useful places to put cupboards, printers, and so on. However these
can create aisle ‘pinches’ and be hazardous for passers-by. Sharp corners can
also hurt the unwary, especially those travelling at speed.
Windows let people see in and out, and allow
natural light in.
There can be too much light. Where there is
strong sunlight, provide controllable shades.
Window seats are often ‘prime real estate’ and
may be viewed as a status perk.
It is more egalitarian and motivating for the
workforce if all can have access the light.
Walkways past windows enable people to refresh
at least with natural light.
Social areas near windows help to create
them as ‘people magnets’.
Large expanses of same-color bare walls create
tedium. Busy, multi-colored walls create confusion.
Rather than breaking them up with bland
‘corporate art’ or uninteresting safety posters, add pictures and posters that
will be of interest and stimulation to staff and customers.
Bright colors on large expanses are
overpowering. Use stronger colors for highlights.
Dark walls, make a room darker and seem
smaller. This can be useful for cozy and intimate areas.
To sustain light in an area, paint reflective walls in light colors, such as those opposite windows.
Wood on walls
is relaxing and can give an impression of luxury.
Mind the sound effects.
Hard walls reflect sound. Flat walls reflect the sound in specific directions.
Curved and angled walls can create a ‘lens’ effect, focusing the sound in a
Lit to the top.
Walls which are not lit at the top, for example where ceiling lights are a
distance from them, are darker the top. They reflect less light and contribute
to a gloomier atmosphere.
White-walled meeting rooms.
In meeting rooms, walls are used to project onto, to hold flipchart paper and to
write on. All three can be accomplished with metal whiteboards.
The only disadvantage is the blandness created.
This may be countered with temporary coverings and limiting the white areas to
where it can be used for writing.
Projecting onto whiteboards also is not as good
as onto proper screens. Matt screens show color without other reflections, such
as ghosts of what was last written on the screen.
Pillars block view, but are an opportunity
to add interest, such as painting them in contrasting colors, mounting
spotlights on them or hanging plants from them.
Pillars in seating areas steal space.
The height of pillars can be overpowering,
both in cubes and as people walk past them.
Pillars connect the floor to the ceiling.
Protect pillars from damage.
Where they can be knocked, such as near doorways and on
trolley routes, they can be damaged.
Pillars provide shelter.
Putting printers and cupboards next to them provide a degree of protection.
Pillars provide support.
They are solid and can have walls anchored to them.
Ceilings that absorb sound
can make a big difference, especially where they are lower.
Similar-looking ceiling tiles can have very different sound absorbing qualities.
Ceilings of different height
add variety and interest that can always been seen.
Signs and other items can be hung from ceilings
to add interest and help wayfinding. They should not obstruct fire sprinklers,
Floors are the one thing we touch almost all of
the time, giving us subtle tactile impressions.
Floors that signal change.
Changes in flooring sent signals that of change, e.g. ‘you are now somewhere
Hide the dirt.
Single-colored and light carpets show dirt and wear very
Light carpets reflects light and make an areas
High partitions give privacy, hide
distractions and allow storage and pin-ups to be hung there. They also block
light and have only a very limited effect at reducing the spread of noise.
Partial privacy can be obtained with
translucency or limited-height panels that block seated views, but allow
Partitions, particularly high ones, have a
similar effect to walls, in their separation of people.
Only taller people can see over 6 foot
partitions. Even then, the partitions block view if they are more than a few
When sitting down, people cannot see over
partitions which are about 4’6”.
Curved tops to panels can block the line of
direct sight of a person, whilst allowing them to see past the panels if they
simply lean to the side.
Signs tell people where they are now, what to
do and where to go.
A consistent format allows people to
easily spot signs.
This includes color, font, shape and size.
There are company standards for formal signs.
People pick up indications of where they are
and where to go from all kinds of things.
Within a single area, hanging signs can
be seen from a distance.
Building and pillar numbers
are a traditional and well-understood navigation system
within the company.
In larger sites, ‘you are here’ maps
help people navigate over longer distances.
There are mandatory signs, including EHS
notices, fire exit signs, etc., that must be followed.
Worktops support computers and other equipment
as well as papers and books.
They are often used as near-at-hand same-height
shelving storage, for example the ‘in-tray’ and simple stacking of books and
folders (using the worktop as a bookshelf).
Some people have an ‘untidy’ storage system,
keeping things in piles on the desk. This is helpful where
Shelves support books and equipment that are usually not in use.
Frequently used things to hand.
Nearby shelves are most suited to things referred to frequently. Things used
less frequently may be stored in a more distant location.
Shelves are also used to hold identity
symbols, which may be anything from family photos to old course notes (they
may never be looked at, but by reminding them of their history, they reaffirm
the person’s identity).
gives immediate visual availability. It includes hanging folder-holders and
Physical design principles