The Return of Office Cubicles and Potential Collaborative Workspaces

Considered a recognizable representation of the traditional workspace, office cubicles were becoming symbolic of mundane, robotic office work that separates employees from one another. However, the cubicle culture is experiencing a revival, with the demand surging over the last few years. Despite initial assumptions of a diminishing cubicle market, recent trends predict more growth in upcoming years, fueled particularly by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The need for quieter, private workspaces increased as employees transitioned back to the office following months of remote work. The distractions at home and the lack of focus while remote working necessitated the demand for a private and dedicated workspace. Consequently, employers are finding the right balance between collaborative areas, conference rooms, and private spaces.

The global market for cubicles and partitions has reached $6.3 billion and is projected to grow to $8.3 billion over the next five years, according to a report from Business Research Insights. Furniture manufacturers have responded to this trend, recognizing employees' desire for some degree of seclusion despite employers' inclination toward more collaborative workspaces.

New York-based accounting and auditing firm, Grassi, for instance, has redesigned its office spaces to be more hybrid. The new setup includes a mix of open, collaborative spaces, cubicles, and semi-private areas. This adaptation is a response to previous office layouts that were overly open and lacking in dedicated private spaces. It has also evolved from the coworking spaces that found varying degrees of success, as in the case of WeWork.

Modern cubicles deviate from the traditional high panel structures and offer "sitting privacy" with mid-height partitions. These structures are ergonomic, flexible, and designed smartly to accommodate multiple electronic devices. They offer different shapes and adjustable walls, satisfying a variety of needs within the team. Some even include sound-masking features to minimize distraction.

Furthermore, modern cubicle partition systems come in various types:

• Panel-based systems use diverse materials and adjustable heights, offering customizable layouts for changing needs.
• Modular systems champion flexibility, allowing easy assembly and reconfiguration based on spatial needs, perfect for dynamic workspaces.
• Benching systems focus on collaboration, featuring long work surfaces with minimal dividers — a balance of team unity and individual focus.
• Tech-integrated systems are packed with features like built-in charging ports, adjustable monitor arms, and intelligent lighting systems to cater to the modern workforce's tech-dependencies.

The demand for refurbished cubicles, although slightly down from the pandemic surge, continues to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Modern cubicles hint at flexibility, and smaller setups incorporating cubicles are gaining popularity over office benches. Hence, the cubicle culture has come full circle from the 1950s and '60s when privacy-oriented offices were the norm.

After the phase of open spaces with benches and communal work areas, we are now seeing a resurgence of partly enclosed spaces. This comeback is not just about recreating private spaces; employees are also personalizing their cubicles by incorporating elements of their home décor, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity at their workstations. For example, the workforce culture in South Korea utilizes creative and colorful decorative themes in cubicles to help employees make it through long work days.

While acknowledging the influence of residential design on office furniture, manufacturers are also witnessing the rising trend of employees importing home décor into their workspaces and sharing their creations on social media. It's clear that the cubicle, once considered a relic of the past, has made a comeback, and it's now redesigned, refurbished, and rejuvenated for the modern office.