Design Solutions for administration buildings
Published in Sustainability and Arts & Humanities
Why designing office buildings became more than choosing between open and closed plans
Whenever people discuss office buildings, the conversation usually focuses on appearance—glass façades, impressive entrances, or iconic skylines. But as I explored office architecture, I realized the real challenge lies inside the building. The way workspaces are organized influences communication, productivity, privacy, and even employees' psychological well-being. That made me wonder whether the debate between open and closed offices has ever had a single correct answer.
That question became the starting point of this research.
Looking beyond the office layout
Most studies compare open-plan and closed-plan offices as if one is always better than the other. I wanted to understand why architects continue to use both approaches and what actually determines the success of each one.
Instead of asking which layout is superior, I examined how different design solutions respond to the function of the building, the number of employees, organizational culture, and patterns of communication.
Discovering that flexibility is the real design goal
As I analyzed administrative buildings from different countries, one idea became increasingly clear.
Successful office buildings are not defined by whether they are horizontal or vertical, open or closed. Their success comes from their ability to adapt to changing organizational needs while maintaining efficient circulation and comfortable working environments. Technological advances in construction have also made larger, more flexible office spaces possible than ever before.
Learning from international case studies
The research examined several administrative buildings designed by internationally recognized architects, including Norman Foster's Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank headquarters and other contemporary office projects.
Although their architectural styles differed, they shared common priorities: maximizing flexibility, improving communication, creating healthier work environments, and using structural systems that reduce internal barriers while allowing future adaptation.
Rethinking the open office debate
One of the most interesting findings was that neither open-plan nor closed-plan offices provide a complete solution.
Open layouts encourage collaboration, improve natural daylight, and make future modifications easier. However, they often reduce privacy and increase noise levels.
Closed offices provide concentration, security, and acoustic privacy but can limit communication and reduce flexibility.
The most successful projects didn't choose one over the other—they combined the strengths of both.
What actually creates a better workplace
Throughout the research, several design principles appeared repeatedly:
- Balance openness with areas that provide privacy.
- Design circulation to encourage communication without disrupting focused work.
- Maximize daylight and visual connections throughout the office.
- Use flexible partitions that can evolve with organizational needs.
- Consider employee well-being as an essential design objective rather than an afterthought.
The goal isn't simply creating beautiful offices—it's designing environments that support the people working inside them.
Turning research into practical design guidance
Perhaps the most valuable outcome of this research was realizing that office planning should never rely on a single design formula.
Instead, architects should evaluate the building's function, organizational structure, number of users, and future growth before selecting the most appropriate spatial strategy. In many cases, hybrid layouts that combine open collaboration areas with enclosed workspaces offer the greatest balance between flexibility and privacy.
Where I'd like to take this next
This research focused primarily on the spatial organization of administrative buildings, but workplace design continues to evolve.
With hybrid work, digital collaboration, and changing employee expectations, I'd like to explore how future office interiors can remain adaptable while continuing to support productivity, well-being, and meaningful human interaction.
Because after studying office architecture, one conclusion became difficult to ignore:
The best workplace isn't defined by how open or closed it is—it's defined by how well it supports the people who use it.
Personal Data
§ Name: Sahar Ezz EL Arab Ramadan Said .
§ Position: Associated professor in Architecture department,
in Higher Technology Institute in 10th of Ramadan.
§ Department: Architecture Department.
§ Contact: saharezz_1@hotmail.com .
§ Mobile No: 01152262151 .
Specilization
§ General Specialization: Decor department.
§ Specific Field : Interior Architecture .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
BIO
§ DR Sahar Ezz EL Arab received her PHD in Décor Department (Interior Architecture) from Faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University in 2013.
§ worked as lecture in Teba Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2014-2017&
shared in Control tasks in Teba Academy from 2014-2017.
§ moved to El Shorouk Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2017 – 2019.
§ had many certifications in quality from Quality Assurance Authority In El Shorouk Academy in 2017-2018-2019, also worked as assistant director in Quality committee from 2017-2019, and an internal examiner in Quality of all departments in El Shorouk Academy in 2019.
§ works till this date 16-12-2021 in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) as Associated professor and Department Quality Coordinator.
§ worked as Quality Coordinator in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan2020-2021, as prepared with her quality teams The ministry's annual file for the department, and all courses files of the department`s subjects
§ working in preparing the department program to Nars2018.
§ Worked as main responsible in control committee last second term and summer term last year 2020-2021in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan.
Qualifications.
§ 2013 phd degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture.
(The balancing between human behavior and residential interior spaces). faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University)
§ 2003 Master degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture. (Islamic Architecture and its effect on Interior architecture of modern house) .
faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University) .
§ 1997 B.SC in Decor department - Interior Architecture. faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University ) .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
Publication (The most important researches )
1-The balance between subjective and objective in Interior design: In July 2016,(International Design Journal ),folder 6 .
2-Design Solutions for administration buildings: In July 2017, (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
3-Using lights to enhance performance in studios of Interior design: In 2018 ,(Fourth Research Youth Conference ), Arts, Tourism and Antiquities Sector.
4-Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture : In 28-30 April 2018 ,(The third international conference for creativity and development in architecture, heritage, arts and literature - Alexandria ).
5-Standards for evaluating the compatibility of interior design of residential buildings With its inhabitants in terms of (mental health - physical)As goals for sustainability: In 13-15 December 2018,( First International Conference on Sustainability )- Environmental Efficiency for a Better Living.
6-Using Lights in the age of Globalization to achieve new aims in studios of Interior design: In 2018, International Conference of Innovation and Development in Architecture ,Arts and Literature – (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
7-Grids as important elements for Good Design : In27 -28 February 2018, (First Scientific Conference of the Faculty of Applied Arts - October University).
8-Acontemporary vision of the Interior design of Architecture and Arts Academic Institutions in Egypt : In26 July 2020,( International Design Journal) .
9-Finding a correlation between the Interior Design and the Urban Character :2020 ,(Journal of AL Azhar University Engineering sector ).
10-Necessarry Consideration for drawing halls in Interior design studios: January 2021 ,( Journal of Architecture, Arts and Human Sciences published by the Arab Society for Islamic Civilization and Arts)).
11-Lights only to make a creative design:2020,1th ICEE2020 ( 1st International Conference on Engineering Education Present and Future 2020 )-Assuit university.
12-Guide for longevity and flexibility in Interior architecture ,Published: 28 April 2025,Volume 2, article number 46, (2025)-Springer Nature,Discover cities Journal
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44327-025-00066-2
13-A Special Equation between Visual Lightness and the Luxurious Impression of Interior Architecture through the New Classic,September 10, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal )Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1527
14-Sustainable Development Interaction between Humans and the Interior Architecture:September 23, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal ),Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1514
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