Incorporating theory into practice: A historical assessment of layout design and Bürolandschaft with practical applications to modern office landscapes using performance metrics

Abstract

The historical upbringing of the theoretical foundations of layout planning and optimization provided several core principles from which other theories have been derived. Naturally, the development and transformation of layouts following modern tastes have unlocked new types of capabilities, but these benefits are not exempt from drawbacks. This study critically examines layout characterization and performance from both the historical and practical application perspectives. In fulfilling this objective, this study conducts an assessment of the existing body of foundational work in the domain of layout planning and Bürolandschaft, a German term that characterizes the conceptual nature of an office landscape, to capture the underlying motivations, insights, and benefits that are offered by this foundation. These theories are examined under the lens of a common focal point for many modern-day corporations: obtaining an ideal office layout. The historical findings imply that the manifestation of Bürolandschaft is closely related to the concept of an open office layout. Given these insights, an application of an open office layout to a modern-day organization is proposed. Furthermore, the resulting layout is assessed based on a variety of qualitative and quantitative layout performance metrics to observe the impact emerging from the application of theory to practice. More broadly speaking, the theoretical outcomes as suggested by historical developments are assessed in comparison to the outcomes resulting from a practical application.