{"id":12813,"date":"2023-12-20T13:30:33","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T13:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/classorga.ch\/what-is-space-planning\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T08:52:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:52:48","slug":"what-is-space-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classorga.ch\/en\/what-is-space-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"What is space planning?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Space planning<\/strong> has established itself as a discipline in its own right within office fit-out. Born in the 1990s with the initial goal of packing more desks onto a floor, it has deeply transformed and is now a strategic tool serving productivity, well-being and employer brand. According to the latest JLL and Leesman studies, a well-run space planning project can reduce rented surface by 20 to 30%<\/strong> at constant headcount, while lifting employee satisfaction by 15% on average.<\/p>\n

Improving the ergonomics of a workspace<\/h2>\n

\"Ergonomic<\/p>\n

The initial goal of space planning<\/strong> was to fit as many desks as possible into a restricted area. The discipline quickly evolved toward raising productivity and, more recently, toward a holistic approach to well-being and flexibility. Today, space planning brings office fit-out<\/a> into a broader thinking process where ergonomics, acoustics, natural light and hybrid ways of working come together.<\/p>\n

Designing a floor plan requires rigorous work: SIA standards, minimum distances between workstations (1.40 m face to face), lighting levels (500 lux on the work surface, 300 lux in circulation), acoustic absorption (\u03b1w \u2265 0.60 on ceilings in open-plan zones) and adherence to surface ratios. Nicknamed \u201cthe art of balance\u201d, space planning<\/strong> unfolds in two key phases:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Macro-zoning<\/strong> \u2013 a 2D or 3D analysis phase that splits the surface between collective zones (open-plan offices<\/a>, coworking, meeting rooms, focus rooms, phone booths) and individual zones. Modern recommended ratio: 70% open spaces, 30% closed or semi-closed spaces.<\/li>\n
  2. Micro-zoning<\/strong> \u2013 the fine-tuning phase of each workstation based on the employee\u2019s needs: screen height, viewing distance (50-70 cm), choice of a sit-stand desk, orientation relative to windows to limit glare, dedicated storage. Indicative ratios: 4 to 6 m\u00b2 per workstation on a bench, 6 to 10 m\u00b2 in a generous open-plan office, 8 to 12 m\u00b2 in a private office.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Supporting circulation and exchanges through space planning<\/h2>\n

    \"Corporate<\/p>\n

    The Space Planner focuses on employee productivity and comfort. That is why they seek to create collaborative areas between employees and across the company\u2019s teams. The goal is clear: open up the offices, bring teams closer and create connections without sacrificing focus.<\/p>\n

    In practice, a well-designed floor alternates between \u201cvolume\u201d zones (open-plan, bench), \u201ccontrolled-volume\u201d zones (focus rooms, acoustic pods) and informal zones (lounge, standing-height tables, cafeteria). The 3-30-3<\/strong> rule is gradually taking hold: a maximum of 3 steps to reach a collaborative workstation, 30 seconds to find a free seat, 3 minutes to reach a focus room.<\/p>\n

    This smart layout is far more complex than it appears. It also helps highlight a company\u2019s values by promoting a pleasant place with a real team spirit. It is also a significant cost lever: by pooling spaces and adopting a sharing ratio of 0.7 workstations per employee (flex office model), it is possible to reduce the required surface by up to 25%, saving several tens of thousands of francs each year on a 30-workstation floor.<\/p>\n

    Why is space planning essential today?<\/h2>\n

    \"3D<\/p>\n

    Unlike an architect or an interior decorator, the Space Planner focuses on safety rules and the building\u2019s capacity (escape routes, fire compartmentation, structural loads). The ecological dimension also plays an important role: integration of LED lighting with presence detection, low-carbon materials, recyclable furniture, preservation of natural light through the orientation of circulation paths.<\/p>\n

    The Space Planner checks lighting, heating, air-conditioning and acoustics in every zone to optimise the employee experience. Every detail matters: ceiling height, the colour of finishes, residual noise level, air quality. The benefits of Space Planning<\/strong> are numerous for a company:<\/p>\n