Privacy vs Productivity

August 21, 2019

Privacy encompasses the noises and other distractions that break concentration or inhibit our ability to focus. In a working environment where collaboration and teamwork are often necessities, how do we find the right balance?

When we talk about office design, it’s helpful to understand that research identifies three basic modes of attention. The first is controlled attention: working on a task that requires intense focus, such as writing or thinking deeply. When we are in this mode, interruptions and other distractions are unwelcome, and our need to control the environment around us increases.

The second mode is stimulus-driven attention: switching focus when something catches our attention. When we’re performing routine tasks—responding to emails, scheduling meetings, or catching up on other administrative work—we may tolerate or even welcome interruptions or distractions. Many people choose to perform routine tasks in open, social, or active settings.

We call the third mode rejuvenation—the periodic respites from concentration that we take throughout the day. It’s a time-out for our brains and bodies and often a chance to engage socially with others or express emotions that we’ve kept on a tight leash. For rejuvenation, people may seek either a highly stimulating environment or a quiet one, depending on personal preference.

The need to control stimulation as we switch among the three modes means that we require a variety of workspaces that afford more or less privacy. The experienced team at Equip Office Furniture can help you find the right balance of social and private and fitout spaces with quality furniture that enhance all three modes.