Benching

What is benching?

Benching is a type of office design that prioritizes shared work spaces and collaboration over individual workstations. It often involves open, modular workstations that can be reconfigured to accommodate changes in staffing levels or workflow.

Advantages of benching include:

• Space utilization: It allows organizations to maximize floor space by reducing the number of individual desks needed.

• Cost-effectiveness: It's typically less expensive than providing a dedicated desk for each employee.

• Collaboration and teamwork: Benching encourages interaction and collaboration between employees, leading to increased communication and productivity.

 

However, benching can also have some drawbacks, such as:

• Lack of privacy: Since employees sit close to one another and often face the same direction, it can be difficult to have private conversations or to concentrate without being disturbed.
• Reduced storage space: With fewer dedicated desks, employees may have less space to store their personal belongings and work materials.
• Noise levels: The open nature of a benching workspace can lead to increased noise levels, which can be distracting to some employees.

Benching is a popular office design trend, particularly in technology and creative industries where collaboration and teamwork are valued. It's also common in co-working spaces, where individuals and small teams can rent a shared workspace.

 

Related terms

• Office white noise
• Open office plan
• Floor plan
• Neighborhood
• Flex space
• Closed office plan
• Biophilia
• Thirdspaces