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University Offices Remain Predominantly Private Amid Push for Open Spaces

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Survey shows most staff keep private offices, only two schools use activity‑based desks Khrono asked all 21 state universities, large private colleges and received responses from 20; five provided detailed splits, revealing that only Norges handelshøyskole (NHH) and Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL) operate activity‑based workplaces without fixed desks [1].

Private‑office share varies widely, from 85 % at Nord University to 33 % at Oslo Art Academy Nord University reports 85 % of staff in private offices, University of Oslo 79 %, USN about 60 % private versus 40 % open, and Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo only 33 % have their own office [1].

NHH and HVL adopt activity‑based models, with HVL Bergen at 30.9 % of such spaces Both institutions state they use activity‑based workstations; at HVL Bergen these constitute 30.9 % of all office space, while the rest are private or open [1].

UiO’s new Livsvitenskap building (2026) will be 80 % open landscape, 20 % cell offices, guaranteeing a primary workspace for all full‑time staff Statsbygg builds the facility, UiO is a major tenant, and university director Johannes Falk Paulsen confirms every full‑time employee will receive a primary place [1].

Vista analyse, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, identified 112 measures to improve space efficiency, led by renovations and lease changes The consultancy’s report lists the most common actions as building remodels, lease adjustments, rehabilitation, and organisational tools such as room‑booking systems [5].

Transition to open or activity‑based offices meets resistance, especially among academic staff, requiring strong communication Vista’s analysis notes that moving from cell offices to more open setups is harder for researchers than administrative personnel and stresses the need for clear anchoring and communication [5].

  • Christian A. Klöckner, psychology professor at NTNU – “I would do very badly in an open landscape… I need a door.”
  • Knut Erik Kismul, project leader for HVL’s Kronstad 2 building – emphasized the need for tables, chairs and sufficient power outlets, questioning pandemic‑era open‑space feasibility.
  • Øyvind Fjørtoft, advisor at the Department for Societal Contact, HVL – “I sit in the landscape unless I’m in meetings,” and described using a backpack to carry his laptop daily.
  • Kjetil Hellang, representative from University of Agder – explained the policy that scientific staff with >50 % contracts receive private offices and that a meeting room is required per ten workplaces.
  • Sigrun Aasland, senior official cited in Khrono – stressed that universities must achieve more efficient premises aligned with their core missions.

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