Mistakes in organizing workstations in open space

Features of open-plan offices in Tashkent: why mistakes are costly

Open-plan offices have already become the standard for IT companies, call centers, banks, and service companies in Tashkent. But behind the “airiness” and visual openness, systemic problems are often hidden: noise, document chaos, employee overload, and constant reworking of furniture and layouts.

Practice shows that most problems are not in the open space format as such, but in how workstations are organized and which solutions are chosen at the design and procurement stage.

Below are the key mistakes we regularly see in offices, and an explanation of how to avoid them with a competent technical specification, proper material selection, and project calculation.

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Mistake #1: ignoring acoustics and noise load

In an open-plan office, any sound “spreads” throughout the entire hall: conversations, calls, printers, notifications. If this is not taken into account at the design stage, employees end up working under constant stress.

How the mistake manifests itself

• employees use headphones all day, complain of fatigue and headaches;
• managers and HR record a drop in concentration and an increase in task errors;
• meetings “spread” across the hall, confidentiality is in question;
• the manager is forced to organize additional rooms and “plug holes” with furniture.

What needs to be provided for in the solutions

1. Workstation design

   • screen partitions between desks (metal frame + panels made of MDF, laminated chipboard, perforated metal with fabric insert);
   • combined solutions: low visual level + local acoustic shielding at head height.

2. Space zoning with metal structures

   • light frames filled with panels, glass, perforated metal;
   • custom mobile modules that can be moved when the department structure changes.

3. Materials and technologies

   • powder coating of metal frames for durability and a neat appearance;
   • combining metal with soft materials (panels, overlays) in noisy areas — call centers, open space with a large number of calls.

What affects the price of acoustic solutions

• height and length of partitions;
• type of frame (metal thickness, profile, design complexity);
• type of infill (metal, laminated chipboard, glass, combined panels);
• order volume and the need for turnkey installation in an operating office.

Without this data, quoting a price is incorrect — a calculation based on the technical specification is always required.

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Mistake #2: document chaos and lack of well-thought-out storage

Even in “paperless” companies, there are still contracts, originals, accounting archives, samples. If you don’t build in a storage system, open space quickly turns into a warehouse.

Typical manifestations

• boxes on the floor and under desks, cabinets of different formats purchased “by chance”;
• employees waste time searching for documents and consumables;
• the office visually looks overloaded and untidy.

Which solutions should be laid down from the start

1. Shelving and cabinet systems on metal frames

   • shelving for archives and consumables (contract manufacturing to room dimensions);
   • built-in storage systems along walls and columns.

2. Integrating storage into workstations

   • pedestals under desks, add-on units, modules for document sorting;
   • a unified modular range so that when the office expands you don’t end up with a “zoo” of furniture.

3. Logistics and storage solutions in the office

   • separate areas for receiving and temporary storage of parcels, samples, promotional materials;
   • metal shelving and enclosures for restricted-access areas.

What affects the cost of storage systems

• dimensions and load capacity of shelving and cabinets;
• choice of material (metal frame, laminated chipboard, combined solutions, stainless steel for areas with increased hygiene requirements);
• need for powder coating in corporate colors;
• installation requirements (floor level, elevators, work outside business hours).

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Mistake #3: employee overload and incorrect workstation layout

Overload is not only about tasks, but also about the physical environment. Poorly thought-out distances, lack of logic in the placement of departments and equipment make work harder and slower.

What it looks like in a real office

• employees constantly get up to reach the printer, cabinet, colleague;
• traffic lines intersect, people get in each other’s way in the aisles;
• “quiet” employees sit next to active salespeople;
• there is no clear separation into work, communication, and technical zones.

What is important to consider when designing open space

1. Functional zoning

   • blocks of workstations by departments and types of tasks;
   • buffer zones between noisy and “quiet” teams;
   • separate mini-zones for quick communication (island tables, high counters).

2. Workstation ergonomics

   • sufficient desk depth and width;
   • correct height, presence of cable channels and connection points;
   • mounts for monitors, brackets, well-thought-out placement of sockets.

3. Engineering constraints

   • columns, ventilation, air conditioning lines that must be bypassed with metal structures and furniture;
   • real possibilities for supplying power and low-voltage networks.

All these parameters must be reflected in the technical specification. Without them, the project often turns into a set of disparate desks and cabinets rather than a working system.

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Mistake #4: saving on frames and metal structures for furniture and partitions

From the outside, two desks may look the same, but differ many times over in rigidity and service life. A common mistake is to choose solutions based only on the picture, without understanding what the frame is made of.

What saving leads to

• desks and partitions wobble, play appears in the joints;
• during rearrangements and moves, furniture quickly fails;
• it is difficult to upgrade and combine modules, as the structure is not designed for the load.

Why metal structures are critical

• the frame of desks, partitions, shelving bears the main load;
• high-quality laser cutting and bending of metal provide precise geometry, which is important for modular systems;
• professional welding and powder coating ensure rigidity and wear resistance.

What to consider in the technical specification for metal structures

• type of profile and metal thickness;
• load requirements (equipment, archive, hardware);
• need for demountable joints for moves;
• color and texture of the coating.

The more precise the technical specification, the easier it is to get an adequate quote and compare proposals from different contractors on substance, not just on price.

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Mistake #5: lack of a clear technical specification and calculation before starting work

Many office projects start with the phrase “we need something like this” and a picture from the internet. As a result:

• contractors estimate “by feel”, without a single comparison base;
• additional items and surcharges pop up during the work;
• deadlines shift because solutions have to be changed on the fly.

What must be included in the open space technical specification

• floor plan with dimensions and reference to windows, doors, columns;
• number of workstations by department and work scenarios (calls, quiet work, meetings);
• storage requirements (documents, consumables, samples);
• material preferences (metal, laminated chipboard, stainless steel, glass, etc.);
• installation requirements (timelines, phasing, work in an operating office).

Based on such a technical specification, it is possible to make a calculation based on the technical specification, offer several options for materials and structures, and understand the budget and timelines in advance.

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Mistake #6: incorrect choice of materials and technologies for real operation

Visually impressive solutions do not always withstand daily use. In Tashkent, the climate and dustiness additionally affect this, which is especially noticeable on horizontal surfaces and open metal structures.

Typical missteps

• using materials sensitive to scratches and impacts in high-traffic areas;
• structures that are too light where equipment or archives are regularly moved;
• lack of protective metal coating in areas with high humidity.

How to choose materials consciously

1. Metal structures

   • for load-bearing elements of desks, shelving, partitions;
   • with powder coating for resistance to abrasion and corrosion.

2. Stainless steel

   • for kitchen areas, coffee points, sinks where there is contact with water and food products;
   • for food equipment if the office has a mini-production or tasting area.

3. Combined solutions

   • metal + laminated chipboard/MDF for office furniture and partitions;
   • metal + glass for meeting rooms and visually open areas.

Impact of technologies on cost

• laser cutting and metal bending increase accuracy and production speed;
• complex shapes and custom elements increase labor intensity;
• welding and subsequent powder coating add stages but increase the service life of the structure.

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What affects the cost of organizing workstations in open space

Below are generalized factors that are taken into account when calculating a project. Specific figures depend on the technical specification, volumes, and chosen solutions.

Therefore, it is more accurate to talk not about the “price per desk”, but about the cost of a set of solutions for a specific space and tasks.

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Typical mistakes when ordering office solutions “by eye”

1. Evaluation based only on visualization
   Comparing pictures instead of structure and materials.

2. No load margin
   Shelving and desks are not designed for the real weight of equipment and documents.

3. Ignoring installation
   Delivery, lifting, assembly, and weekend work are not included in the estimate.

4. No single designer
   Furniture, partitions, electrical, and logistics are calculated by different contractors without overall coordination.

5. Saving on cable management and mounts
   Wiring and mounts for monitors, brackets, and equipment are thought through “after the fact”, when the office is already filled.

6. No growth scenario
   No provision is made for adding workstations to the existing system.

7. Unclear timelines and phasing
   There is no agreed schedule for delivery and installation, causing office downtime or delayed relocation.

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How to work with BRIX.UZ: calculation based on the technical specification, production, and installation

BRIX.UZ is a production site and catalog of solutions where you can assemble the entire set for organizing workstations in an open-plan office:

• metal structures for desks, partitions, shelving, and suspended systems;
• office furniture and custom interior elements;
• stainless steel for kitchens, sinks, coffee points, and food equipment;
• contract manufacturing: laser cutting, metal bending, welding, powder coating, CNC machining of parts.

Work format

1. Collecting initial data and technical specification
   You provide the floor plan, requirements for the number of workstations, zones, and materials.

2. Calculation based on the technical specification
   We calculate several solution options (by materials and structures) so you can choose the best one in terms of budget and timelines.

3. Custom manufacturing
   We produce metal structures, furniture, and zoning elements according to approved drawings.

4. Installation and logistics
   If necessary, we organize delivery and installation in Tashkent and the regions of Uzbekistan, taking into account the office work schedule.

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FAQ on organizing workstations in open-plan offices

1. Is it possible to upgrade existing furniture without replacing everything at once?
In many cases, yes. Often it is enough to add partitions, shelving, local metal structures, and storage points to reduce noise and restore order. To assess this, we need a technical specification and photos/plan of the current state.

2. How to understand which materials are suitable for our office in particular?
This is determined by tasks, loads, and work mode. For high-traffic areas, metal frames with wear-resistant surfaces are more often used; for kitchens and sinks — stainless steel; for workstations — combined solutions metal + laminated chipboard/MDF.

3. Is it possible to implement the project in stages so as not to stop office work?
Yes, when planning installation, phasing is taken into account: first one zone, then the next. This must be fixed in the technical specification and schedule, as it affects timelines and cost.

4. What if the floor plan is complex: columns, level differences, little light?
In such cases, custom design to size is especially important: metal structures and furniture are manufactured to order to bypass engineering elements and maintain workstation convenience.

5. How critical is dimensional accuracy when ordering?
For open space with a large number of modules, dimensional accuracy is critical. An error of even a few centimeters can lead to a row of desks or shelving not fitting according to plan. Therefore, it is better to work from drawings and measurements, not approximate sketches.

6. Can the same solutions be used when expanding the office?
If modular metal structures and standard joints are initially laid down, the system can be scaled: adding desks, partitions, shelving from the same line.

7. How long does it take to implement a turnkey open space project?
The timeline depends on scale, design complexity, and production workload. Small projects can take several weeks, large ones — longer. An approximate timeline can be given after calculation based on the technical specification.

8. Is it possible to integrate corporate identity into metal structures and furniture?
Yes, through powder coating in corporate colors, choice of textures and shapes. This also affects cost and timelines, so it is important to consider at the technical specification stage.

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Submit a request for calculation

To avoid common mistakes when organizing workstations in an open-plan office and get an accurate cost estimate, it is important to provide a complete technical specification right away.

What to include in the calculation request:

1. City and site

   • Tashkent / another city in Uzbekistan;
   • type of site: office, call center, back office, mixed format.

2. Floor plan

   • floor plan with dimensions;
   • reference to windows, doors, columns, utility shafts.

3. Functional zones and number of workstations

   • number of workstations by department;
   • presence and size of meeting rooms, waiting areas, kitchen, archive.

4. Requirements for materials and solutions

   • material preferences (metal, laminated chipboard, stainless steel, glass, etc.);
   • need for metal structures, partitions, shelving, kitchen modules.

5. Operating conditions

   • work mode (shifts, 24/7, standard schedule);
   • presence of noisy zones (call center, sales open space, etc.).

6. Timelines and installation format

   • desired launch date;
   • whether work can be carried out during business hours or only in the evening/on weekends.

Provide this data — and you will receive a justified calculation based on the technical specification with options for materials, structures, and implementation timelines.