If you deal with office cubicles in your office, you’ve probably wondered why these little cubes have become so popular and what impact they have on your productivity and comfort.
The cubicle, this simple but widely used division, not only helps create personal space and focus, but is also a sign of cultural and office design changes in recent decades.
Now we want to know where the office cubicle came from, how it became popular, and how it is used in modern office design today to meet the needs of employees and companies.
The office cubicle was invented in 1968 by Robert Propst of Herman Miller, originally called the “Action Office.” It aimed to increase productivity, privacy, and flexibility in the workplace. Over time, cubicles evolved from high-walled partitions to lower, modular designs, balancing collaboration and individual focus.
Robert Propst envisioned an active workspace with multiple levels for sitting and standing, along with walls at 120-degree angles.
It wasn’t until the accountants and office designers got involved and figured out a way to line up workers with 90-degree angled office cubicle walls, thus piling more employees into a smaller space, that the cubicle farms began.
By the late 1970’s cubicle sales exploded.
In this article, we aim to examine the evolution of the office cubicle from its inception to its role in today’s modern office design, and show how this simple structure has had a profound impact on the workplace and employee experience.
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The Birth of the Office Cubicle (1960s)
- Pre-Cubicle Office Layouts: Before office cubicles entered the work world, most offices were designed in a “bullpen” style.
In this arrangement, employees sat at similar desks in a large, open hall.
Although this style made it easy for managers to supervise employees, it also had many problems.
Lack of privacy, excessive noise, and monotony were among these problems.
- Robert Propst and the Action Office: In the early 1960s, American designer Robert Propst, working with office furniture company Herman Miller, concluded that the traditional office model was not only inefficient but also detrimental to the physical and mental health of employees.
He believed that workspaces should be flexible to adapt to different needs.
They should also be ergonomically designed so that the bodies and minds of employees are not fatigued.
In his view, workspaces should enhance creativity and efficiency, not just control and supervision.
Accordingly, Propst introduced the “Action Office I” system in 1964.
The plan included desks of different heights, standing space for working, and a more diverse design.
But because it was expensive and complicated, it was not widely accepted.
- Introduction of Action Office II (1968): After feedback, Propst and Herman Miller’s team came up with a revised version: Action Office II in 1968.
The design included modular walls that could divide the space into smaller units, while still maintaining flexibility and freedom.
Employees now had personal space, without being completely isolated from the environment.
Companies could redesign their offices quickly and at a lower cost.
This system quickly became popular, and what we know today as the “cubicle” was born.
Rise to Prominence: The 1980s Cube Farm Era
- Adoption by Corporations: The 1980s could be called the reign of the office cubicle.
Companies quickly realized that this new layout system was a cost-effective and efficient way to organize offices.
Using modular partitions, managers could accommodate hundreds of employees in a limited space.
Therefore, the cost of building and renting offices was reduced, and changing and rearranging the space was very simple and quick.
- Critique of the System: But what was an advantage for managers became a serious problem for employees.
Instead of using cubicles to increase employee freedom and comfort (as Propst envisioned), companies turned them into a tool for workforce compression.
Cubicles became smaller and more closed.
In many offices, employees were confined to endless rows of gray boxes.
- Cultural Impact: By the end of the 1980s, the cubicle had become a cultural icon.
In the minds of many employees, this space no longer represented productivity or freedom, but rather a reminder of the monotony and boredom of office environments, the lack of individual identity, and a mechanical work life.
This image was also reflected in the media and popular culture.
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Decline and Transformation: Late 1990s–2000s
- Shift to Open Office Plans: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a wave of open offices began to take hold around the world.
Companies, especially startups and technology organizations, were looking for spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and direct communication.
Cubicle walls were removed and replaced by large halls with shared desks.
This shift became especially common in companies like Google and Silicon Valley.
- Technological Advancements: Another reason for the decline of the office cubicle was the digital revolution.
With the spread of the Internet, laptops, email, and corporate messengers, many tasks that once required personal space and physical filing moved online.
There was no longer a need for each person to have a separate space for their papers and documents.
Digital communication tools have made it possible for employees to interact without physical boundaries.
- Reevaluation of Cubicles: Despite all these changes, private office cubicles were not completely eliminated.
It soon became clear that offices still had their own problems.
The constant noise made it difficult to concentrate.
Lack of privacy causes stress and mental fatigue.
Many employees felt like they were always being watched.
For this reason, in the 2000s, serious discussions about employee privacy, productivity, and mental health were once again raised.
The Modern Era: Cubicles in the Age of Flexibility
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- Hybrid Work Models: With the growth of hybrid and blended work models, the role of cubicles has changed again.
Today, modern office cubicles are no longer seen as closed, monotonous spaces, but rather as flexible spaces designed for employees in modern offices.
- Ergonomic and Aesthetic Improvements: Modern office cubicle design focuses on comfort and physical health.
This design includes ergonomic desks and chairs to prevent fatigue and spinal problems.
Also, appropriate lighting and color scheme increase concentration and reduce stress.
- Sustainability and Adaptability: Today, paying attention to environmental compatibility and sustainability is of great importance in office design.
Using recycled and recyclable materials in the construction of office cubicles is one way to protect the environment.
Modular design that allows for relocation and change of use without wasting resources.
Conclusion
The cubicle has had a long and adventurous journey, from Robert Propst’s bold initiative in the 1960s to create a more creative and humane space, to becoming “cubicle farms” in later decades, which were more of a symbol of monotony and limitation.
This path shows that the cubicle has not just been a space design tool, but a reflection of the work culture, economy, and technology of each era.
Today, with the hybrid work model and flexible designs, the cubicle has once again found a new face.
With better ergonomics, more appealing aesthetics, and a sustainable approach, modern cubicles have cemented their role in shaping the workplaces of the future.
Perhaps the future of offices will be a mix of open spaces, shared rooms, and smart cubicles, where both individual focus and group collaboration are possible.
One thing is certain: the cubicle will forever remain in cultural memory and work history.
READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE OFFICE CUBICLE
Today, with the trend toward open office work stations using lower-walled cubicles and private office space using higher-walled cubicles, it’s a shame Robert Propst isn’t alive today to see what he envisioned, perhaps, unfold. The office trends of today include sit-to-stand work stations, office space that encourages movement, and open, casual common areas for those impromptu collaborative meetings. Robert Propst would be amazed and relieved that his original office cubicles evolved back into his original designs–after nearly 50 years.
John Ofield is a recognized expert in the office furniture and office cubicle industry in Houston, TX, with over 40 years of experience. As the founder of ROSI Office Systems, he specializes in furniture space planning, custom cubicle designs, modern office chairs and tables, and high-quality commercial furniture. John’s expertise helps businesses enhance productivity and collaboration. He is also dedicated to mentoring entrepreneurs and redefining workspaces to inspire success.