The effect of office concepts on worker health and performance: a systematic review of the literature

What the study found

Strong evidence linked open workplaces with reduced privacy and job satisfaction; limited evidence linked openness and close workstation distance with higher cognitive workload.

Limitations

Older office technologies and work patterns; many non-randomized studies.

Neurodesign interpretation

The privacy problem predates smartphones and hybrid work. That persistence suggests a spatial mechanism rather than a temporary workplace-fashion issue.

Possible design implications

Track which outcomes remain stable despite changes in technology and hybrid work.

Why it stays in the corpus

Retain as the historical baseline for open-office evidence.

Study design

Systematic review; 49 relevant studies

Population

Office workers

Setting

Office environments

Field

Workplace design

Mechanism

Privacy, cognitive workload, communication

Spatial variable

Office openness, workstation distance, desk sharing

Keywords

open office, privacy, cognitive workload, workplace