The workplace today is no longer about fixed desks or rigid routines. It has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem, blending collaboration and focus, digital and physical environments, and formal and informal interactions. As work transforms, so does the very definition of privacy.
“Privacy is no longer about isolation,” says Arnab Ghosh, Managing Director, Corporate Fitouts, Colliers India. “It’s about freedom, autonomy, and control over how we engage with our surroundings.”
Yet, many workplaces remain trapped in outdated design models, often shaped by stereotypes or assumptions. “We still see spaces designed around generalizations like bean bags for millennials, silence for boomers but privacy isn’t generational or hierarchical,” Ghosh observes. “It’s deeply human.”
From Isolation to Emotional Zoning
The answer to modern workplace privacy isn’t more walls or pods; it’s intentional design that supports emotional zoning. “Every space should signal its purpose,” Ghosh explains. “A corner that invites focus, a lounge that sparks collaboration, these subtle cues help employees choose the environment that suits their needs without feeling disconnected.”
Sensory and Acoustic Autonomy
Privacy can be expressed through sensory cues. Lighting, textures, and ceiling heights can create distinct zones without partitions. “Noise, for example, is one of the biggest intrusions in open offices,” says Ghosh. “But instead of isolating people, we integrate noise-cancelling tools, soft furnishings, and white noise systems to give employees control over their auditory space.” Acoustic privacy, he notes, is less about silence and more about managing sound to create comfort.
Nature as a Soft Divider
Biophilic elements are another effective tool. Plants, curved furniture, and organic layouts subtly define boundaries while maintaining openness. “Nature allows us to create privacy with connection,” Ghosh shares. “It’s privacy without isolation and that’s what employees value most.”
Flexibility as the Foundation of Privacy
Static layouts are the enemy of adaptability. Ghosh emphasizes the need for modular, transformable spaces. “Imagine desks that pivot for privacy or tables that reconfigure into collaborative pods,” he says. “Flexibility gives employees control over their environment, which is the essence of modern privacy.”
Culture Completes the Design
Design alone isn’t enough. “No layout or technology works if the workplace culture doesn’t respect boundaries,” Ghosh cautions. Teams must learn the etiquette of privacy, understanding when to approach, when to hold back, and how to respect digital and physical signals.
Co-Creation is Key
The age of top-down design is over. “Privacy can’t be installed; it has to be co-created,” says Ghosh. “Employees need to be active contributors to workplace design so spaces truly reflect their needs.”
Looking ahead, Ghosh believes the future of workplace design will hinge on balance. Privacy without isolation, openness without intrusion, and collaboration without compromise. As he puts it, “Privacy today is an experience, one built on agency, intention, and inclusion. When we understand that, we design workplaces that truly support the evolving nature of work.”
