How We Determined the Perfect Square Meterage for Our Office Space for Three People: A Personal Journey

Finding the right office space is key for any team, whether you're starting out, expanding, or refreshing your surroundings. The question of how many square meters you need often arises, especially with a small team. For our team of three, this led us on a journey of assessment and discovery. In this post, we will share how we figured out the ideal square meters for our office space and offer insights that may help you with your own office planning.

Understanding the Basics of Space Requirements

Before jumping into measurements, it’s crucial to understand what affects office space needs. Several factors contribute to the amount of space required:

• Nature of Work: The kind of work your team does can greatly influence space requirements. For instance, if your work involves a lot of brainstorming, you will need open areas for collaboration. On the other hand, focused tasks may require more privacy.

  
  

• Office Layout: Consider whether you prefer an open layout, which can enhance team collaboration, or separated workspaces that allow for quieter environments. Each layout has its pros and cons.

  
  

• Amenities and Furnishings: Furniture is a significant factor that impacts space. Each person needs a desk, chair, and storage, while communal spaces for breaks or meetings also require room.

  
  

By understanding these factors, we realized that space isn’t just about square meters; it's about how the office functions.

Our Initial Calculation

To kick things off, we looked into general office space guidelines. A common rule of thumb is that each employee requires about 10 to 15 square meters for their workstation. For a team of three, this suggested a minimum of 30 to 45 square meters. However, we found that these guidelines did not account for our specific needs.

Assessing Our Work Style

We next examined our unique work styles. Each of us has different preferences and requirements, which shaped our final decision:

• Collaborative Work: Since we frequently brainstorm together, we needed more communal space than the minimum we calculated. A table big enough for all of us to sit comfortably while discussing ideas was vital.

  
  

• Private Time: We also recognized the need for quiet zones. A dedicated spot for individual work was necessary for concentration and focus.

  
  

This assessment made it clear that we needed enough room for both collaborative and private spaces in our office.

Re-evaluating the Space Requirements

Armed with insights about our work styles, we revisited our square meter estimates. We calculated:

• 20 square meters for each person's private workstation, totaling 60 square meters for all three of us. This would provide space for our desks, chairs, and personal storage.

  
  

• Additional Space: We anticipated needing another 20 to 30 square meters for collaborative areas that include comfortable seating and meeting spots designed to inspire creativity.

  
  

After these calculations, we concluded that 80 to 90 square meters would be ideal for our office setup.

Exploring Layout Options

With our square meter estimates in mind, we considered various layout designs. How we organized the space would greatly impact our team's functionality:

• Zoning: We planned to create zones that separate private workspaces from collaborative areas. This would help maintain a clear distinction between focused work and group brainstorming, enhancing productivity.

  
  

• Flexible Furniture: We looked at furniture options that allowed for easy reconfiguration. Movable tables and flexible seating arrangements would enable us to transform the space as needed, making it adaptable to our workflow.

  
  

Visualizing our office layout helped us understand how to utilize our square meterage effectively.

Legal and Practical Considerations

As we finalized our requirements, we checked local laws and regulations concerning office spaces. Key factors included:

• Safety Regulations: Meeting fire codes and safety regulations was essential, impacting our layout plans and sometimes requiring adjustments in our space.

  
  

• Accessibility: We wanted an accessible workplace for all team members, including potential adaptations that might increase square meterage.

  
  

These legal considerations played a significant role in refining our final measurements, often nudging us towards a more spacious office.

Closing Thoughts on Our Decision

After a thorough exploration of layout options and a careful evaluation of our needs, we settled on 85 square meters as the optimal space for our team. This measurement balanced our requirements for private work, collaboration, and compliance with regulations.

Determining the ideal office space for three people is more than straightforward calculations. It involves a comprehensive assessment of work styles, practical needs, and legal requirements. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take the time to evaluate your team’s unique dynamics.

With thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of your requirements, you can create an office space that maximizes productivity and collaboration.

A well-arranged minimalist workspace featuring green plants.

We hope our journey serves as an informative guide for your own office space planning. Remember, it’s more than just square meters. It’s about crafting an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and comfort. Happy space hunting!