Office Cubicles

History of the Cubicle

Do you know the history of the cubicle? The cubicle was invented in 1964 by Robert Propst. At the time, Propst worked for the Herman Miller Furniture Company. During his time there, he studied how his colleagues worked and sought to improve the open-bullpen office space. Propst designed the “Action Office,” which was adjustable to varying heights for employees who wanted to stand while they worked.

The Action Office included a large desk, space for phones, a vertical filing system, and partitions so workers would have a more private workspace away from their colleagues. Propst believed that the adjustable desk would help workers with health-related issues, by improving blood flow, for example. He also thought that employees could be more productive if they had their own private spaces and could spread out their work.

Unfortunately, cubicle sales flopped back in 1968 and the idea never took off. The original design was too large and expensive for corporate America. Propst’s design mixed movement and flexibility; his cubicle was dynamic and designed for both privacy and collaboration with colleagues. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the Action Office idea caught on, but it went through radical changes, eventually becoming the cubicle of today.

Despite the recent popularity of open floor plans, a study from Harvard Business School found that employees communicate less in an open floor plan. Although approximately 70% of employers today are still using an open floor plan, many find that the lack of barriers has adverse effects on employee productivity.

Open

Open cubicles encourage collaboration and communication among employees. They have low walls so that employees can see and talk to each other easily. These open cubicles are the most flexible type of cubicle, as they can be reconfigured quickly and easily to accommodate changes in the workplace. However, they offer the least amount of privacy and can be noisy.

Low-Wall

Low-wall cubicles are a compromise between open and high-wall cubicles. They have tall enough walls to provide some privacy but walls that are not so high that they block sight lines and make it difficult to talk to other employees. Low-wall cubicles are more flexible than high-wall cubicles but not as flexible as open ones.

L-Shaped

L-shaped cubicles maximize office space and efficiency; they have two walls that offer privacy and reduce noise and they are budget-friendly. These cubicles are also more stylish than traditional rectangular cubicles and they come in long or short designs. However, L-shaped cubicles can be difficult to reconfigure.

Call Center

Call-center cubicles are for employees who spend most of their days on the phone. They are taller than standard cubicles to provide more privacy and noise reduction. They also have a built-in shelf for documents and a headset hanger. 

Bullpen

A bullpen is an open floor setup where employees work at separate cubicles or “workstations” but where there are no partitions or offices to offer privacy. Many government agencies and offices in the public sector use bullpen layouts. Employees have easy access to each other for questions, which is an advantage. Unfortunately, this layout can create a distracting environment and may not offer the option for social distancing among colleagues.

Cluster

This layout groups employees into teams or departments. Each cluster has cubicles or workstations and there may also be a few shared meeting rooms or common areas. This layout promotes collaboration and team-building. However, it can be distracting if teams are too close together.

3-Person Workstation

A 3-person workstation allows 3 people to work at the same desking unit, but each has separate space for working, like a traditional cubicle. Typically, these workstations have panels or screens that separate employees. This configuration allows for easy collaboration and for grouping teams into 3-person pods.

Standing Desk

Standing desks or height-adjustable cubicles allow employees to choose to sit or stand at their workstations throughout the day. Not only is this a healthier work environment for employees, but a standing desk can be an added perk that attracts new talent to your team.

Cubicles and Office Design

As businesses and workplaces continue to change, so does office and cubicle design. Employers are increasingly focused on creating a productive and welcoming workplace for employees. They are also concerned about maintaining a safe environment during a pandemic. Over the past decade, companies have abandoned cubicles for an open office layout and then shifted back in favor of cubicles again.

Since their inception, cubicles have been designed to help employees focus on task completion. A task-oriented setup is usually more efficient for individual work. However, when the goal is to promote productivity, cubicles may not always be the best option. The installation and use of resimercial furnishings and collaborative pieces have increased, as they establish more relaxed and comfortable settings.

These changes demonstrate that the cubicle has a time and place in the office. Open-concept layouts are more conducive to teamwork, but they do not promote the same level of focus that cubicles do. When a business is considering cubicles, the first thought should be for the overall office design. Next would be the decisions about how cubicles fit in and what roles they play. Design goals help determine other aspects of cubicle purchases: sizing, accessories, door and power options, storage capacity, maintenance needs, and delivery and installation lead times.

Cubicle Doors

Cubicles with doors can offer higher levels of privacy and noise reduction. They can also present a professional appearance. Doors are popular options when a hybrid of a cubicle and a private office is needed, but it is not realistic to have private offices for everyone. When employees spend significant amounts of time on the phone, enclosed cubicles with a door are a suitable option.

Cubicle Power

As cubicles need access to power, power sourcing must be a consideration in planning and designing an office. How will power get to a group of cubes and from cube to cube? Providing power is easiest when cubicles are connected to each other and when the group of cubicles is connected to a wall or another power source.

Maintenance Needs

Another important consideration for businesses is maintenance. Cubicles are available in various materials, but some require more maintenance than others. For example, fabric cubicles may need to be replaced more frequently than cubicles made from steel or aluminum. Businesses should also consider the amount of time and effort required to keep cubicles clean. Cleaning maintenance tasks such as controlling dust, reducing allergens, and removing stains help equipment last longer.