While the modern office evolves in line with new trends in design and technology, people’s needs are also changing, allowing for the emergence of differing personalities that can potentially lead to contradictions within the workspace.

There is, in fact, a close correlation between aspects of design (style, colour, materials, structure and function of furniture) and the personalities and roles of the workers. An OFFICE project must be able to allow all these aspects to coexist.

Co-working or personal office? Fixed or shared desks? In-office or remote working?

Various studies regarding office design have highlighted six main personality traits.

Sensitive extroverts

Sensitive extroverts have a constant need to move within their space; they prefer to collaborate in teams and seek modernity.

An open-space office with shared desks and “open-air” meeting areas is an ideal solution for their needs.

Sensitive introverts

These are the opposite of their extrovert counterparts. They are drawn to minimalism and tranquillity. In this case, privacy, acoustics and comfort are important, with solutions such as office pods and confidential meeting areas serving as possible dedicated spaces.

Intuitive extroverts

These are people oriented towards aesthetics and are in constant search for sensory stimulation within the office environment.

They prefer “open” environments in which they can express and share experiences, needs and emotions. Art design and biophilic design are two valid approaches that respond to the needs of workers with this personality trait.

Intuitive introverts

The office of an intuitive introvert is centred on creativity and discretion. They prefer calm environments and spaces for relaxation that are also attractive and stimulating.

Extrovert thinkers

Extrovert thinkers are decisive people that are goal-oriented and love to have situations under control. This is a personality trait typical of managerial figures, with private offices that however offer a full view of the surrounding environment.

In this context, designing an office with dividing glass partitions can be a solution to the dual needs for privacy and control.

Sentimental extroverts

This type of person hates working from home; for them, the office is their world. Relations and collaboration are essential elements that form part of an identifying professional context that offers a strong sense of belonging.

This means that it is not enough to simply design an office according to the needs of the customer; it is fundamental to also and above all focus on people, with their needs and their personalities.

This is where DESIGN comes into play and must combine emotional aspects with the characteristics of usability and functionality in order to best respond to the varying needs that come together in an office.

This aspect has also been highlighted in research published by the University of Stockholm entitled “Office type, performance and wellbeing” which, thanks to three different studies conducted on a sample of workers with distinct personality traits, highlighted how favouring one design choice over another can have beneficial or detrimental effects on people’s health and performance.

Source: MDPI – Publisher of Open Access Journals

The GLOBAL office is a move in this very direction, best interpreting the various scenarios in a working environment and guaranteeing the right balance of sharing, function and privacy.