The workplace model you choose largely determines productivity, collaboration and how satisfied your people are. Pick the right one and you optimise leased area and running costs; pick the wrong one and you pay for renovations and lose staff. Below are the five most common models with their pros and cons, so a business can weigh them up before locking in a layout.

Already chosen a model? Browse our office layout insights for detailed implementation ideas.

1. Open office

Space without partitions, with desks arranged in clusters — the most common model, especially at tech and creative companies.

  • Pros: boosts communication and collaboration, saves floor area, fosters an open culture.
  • Cons: prone to noise and distraction without quiet zones; needs supplementary huddle rooms and acoustic materials.

A modern open office with no partitions and clustered desks

2. Hybrid office

Combines on-site and remote work; employees choose where they work with flexibility.

  • Pros: high flexibility, better work-life balance, stronger retention, lower rent through optimised seat counts.
  • What to prepare: a hot-desk booking system, meeting rooms equipped for video conferencing, and reliable network infrastructure.

3. Flexible workspace

Employees pick the work setting for each task: focus desks, small meeting rooms, brainstorm areas or relaxation corners.

  • Pros: suits many kinds of work in a single day, stimulates creativity, uses floor area according to real demand.
  • Note: functional zones and usage rules must be clearly planned to avoid disorder.

4. Coworking space

Multiple individuals or teams share one space and its amenities; suits startups, freelancers and small branch offices.

  • Pros: low cost, flexible contracts, ready amenities (reception, meeting rooms, pantry) and networking opportunities.
  • Cons: limited brand customisation and limited privacy.

5. Green office

Prioritises sustainable materials, greenery, natural light and ventilation, and energy-efficient equipment.

  • Pros: lower running costs, better physical and mental health for staff, and a stronger image of environmental responsibility.
  • Note: lighting, planting and HVAC must be engineered from the design stage for real performance — not just decoration.

A green office with plants and natural light

Criteria for choosing the right model

There is no absolute “best” model — choose according to the business:

  • Nature of the work: meeting-heavy teams suit open/flexible models; focus-heavy work needs added quiet zones.
  • Scale and growth: fast-changing teams should favour flexible or coworking options.
  • Rent budget: hybrid working and optimised seat counts reduce the area you lease.
  • Culture and brand: the space must reflect company values, not chase trends.

A flexible work area combining small meeting rooms and a relaxation corner

From model to finished office

Choosing the model is only the first step; the real value comes when the floor is designed with the right circulation, lighting and acoustics, and built under one point of responsibility — avoiding the scenario where M&E (electrical, plumbing, air conditioning) and finishing each march to a different drum.

AIC works to a single-point design-build model for office interior design and build, with over 10 years in the trade (since 2016 under the predecessor Nhân Việt; AIC was founded in 2019) and two in-house factories (1,200 m² and 600 m²). From a floor plan, AIC can produce a BOQ estimate within roughly 4 working hours so a business can size its budget; projects are handed over with a warranty of up to 24 months. To optimise area and light, see open-plan office design that improves performance.

Frequently asked questions

Which workplace model is most common today?

The open office remains the most common thanks to efficient use of area and stronger collaboration, but the trend is shifting toward hybrid and flexible models to balance teamwork with focused work.

What are the drawbacks of an open office?

The biggest drawbacks are noise and distraction. Counter them with acoustic materials (ceilings, partitions, carpet), huddle rooms and quiet focus rooms so employees have somewhere to concentrate when needed.

Which model should a small business choose?

Small businesses or fast-changing teams should favour coworking or flexible models to save cost and scale easily. Once headcount stabilises, they can move to a dedicated office on an open or hybrid model with a stronger brand identity.