Open work spaces boost office creativity

Cramped office cubicles and restricted work spaces hinder creativity, according to research published in the journal Psychological Science.

Scientists in America and Japan carried out a series of tests on volunteers to assess whether they worked better in open or closed conditions, directly addressing the viability of the office phrase ‘thinking outside of the box’.

Some of the participants completed a number of experiments inside a square cardboard box measuring five feet by five feet where as the others attempted to do the same in an open environment.

One of the tasks centred around the metaphor ‘putting two and two together’ – volunteers were given coasters that had been cut in half and were asked to put them back together.

It was found that people outside of the box were far more creative than the others and that those who walked around freely, instead of in a straight line, were able to come up with more ideas. These participants benefited from being in an unrestricted environment because the open air stimulated their brains to think of alternative answers to common problems.

Dr Angela Leung, of Singapore Management University, said: “Our experiments demonstrated for the first time some metaphors work by activating psychological processes conducive for generating previously unknown and therefore creative ideas.”

She added: “Having a leisurely walk outdoors or freely pacing around may help us break our mindset. We should also consider getting away from small office cubicles and creating open office spaces to free up our minds.”

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