The Showcase PSR team have worked on countless public sector projects, from council offices to university campuses and healthcare settings. One challenge that comes up time and again in flexible open-plan office design is how to create calm, focused spaces. Artus by Sixteen3 helps solve this.

We are often asked how to reduce noise in open-plan offices or how to add privacy without major renovations. The Artus modular screen system by Sixteen3 addresses this. Fittingly, Artus means “framework” in Latin, and building flexible frameworks is exactly what it’s designed for.

Artus is a modular screen system designed to support flexible open-plan office layouts, helping teams adapt their space without permanent changes. By linking different-sized panels together, you can easily form and dismantle freestanding walls and partitions. What’s better, Artus is flexible. Simply adding a drop-in desk can turn a screen into a focused workspace. Including bench seating can create a cosy little meeting booth. Each panel is individually upholstered, so you can mix and match colours or fabrics. Even the steel connecting brackets come in different colours to either blend in or stand out as a feature. Artus is like a personal set of office building blocks: one day you can set up a semi-private meeting nook, and the next day reconfigure the same pieces into a few quiet study pods.

Flexible Spaces for Hybrid Working

Hybrid working has changed how people use office space. Some days are full of team activity, while others are quieter. Staff need places to collaborate, but they also need places to concentrate, especially when they’re splitting time between home and the office in the same week.

Artus supports this kind of flexibility. Its modular panels can be arranged into single-person focus booths, small meeting bays, or semi-enclosed project areas as needed. Because Artus is freestanding, you can move, reconfigure or expand it without any building work. If an office needs a brainstorming corner one week and a couple of private phone booths the next, the same Artus setup can adapt to make it happen.

For public sector teams working in flexible open-plan office settings, this adaptability makes a real difference.

Quiet, Comfortable Zones That Reduce Stress

Open-plan layouts encourage collaboration, but they’re not always ideal for focus. Noise travels. Visual distractions are everywhere. Privacy can be hard to find. For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent or sensitive to sensory overload, this can lead to stress and make everyday tasks more difficult. Students might feel overwhelmed trying to study in a busy library or common room. Office staff might struggle to concentrate on an important call when there’s chatter and movement all around. Artus helps manage these challenges by introducing acoustically comfortable zones within flexible open-plan office spaces. Its upholstered panels soften sound, making it easier for people to focus. Even a partial screen around a desk acts as a buffer against distractions, giving someone a bit of visual and auditory breathing room.

We’ve seen Artus work well in libraries, shared offices and reception areas. These are places where calm is needed but connection still matters. With Artus, you get a quieter environment without people feeling closed off or isolated from the action.

Making the Most of Limited Space

Space is often tight in public buildings. Many facilities managers see a crowded office floor and wonder how they can add an extra meeting room without expanding the building. Artus makes it easier to get more out of what’s already there. Instead of building new rooms, teams can use Artus to create small meeting nooks, touchdown desks or breakout zones within the existing footprint of a flexible open-plan office.

It’s quick to install, easy to adjust, and doesn’t require permanent changes. That’s especially helpful in settings where layouts need to evolve over time, like schools, council offices or hospital admin areas. With Artus, the space can change as needs change. You can create new spots for privacy or collaboration on the fly, and then open things back up again just as easily. The result is better use of space without the expense or hassle of major renovations.

Sustainability: In it for the Long Haul

Artus was developed with long-term use and sustainability in mind. The panels are made from waste agricultural fibres, and the steel brackets are designed for easy disassembly and recycling. In fact, the whole system is 99% recyclable by weight.

For public institutions working towards environmental goals, it’s a practical choice. It’s built to last, easy to reuse, and supports a more circular approach to furniture design. Because you can reconfigure or repair Artus piece by piece, it won’t end up in the skip if your needs change. You’ll simply adapt it or move it to a new setting.

A Practical Solution We Trust

Public sector environments are always adapting. Whether it’s a university setting up quiet study zones, a council office adjusting for hybrid work, or a healthcare trust rethinking a shared space, the Artus modular screen system offers a straightforward way to make those areas more comfortable and usable for everyone.

We’re proud to have featured Artus in several recent Showcase PSR projects, including the University of Derbyshire’s striking new business school, The Cavendish Building. Artus has consistently proven to be a reliable and flexible solution across diverse public sector settings, helping transform noisy, high-traffic areas into calmer, more focused spaces, without isolating people or stretching budgets.

That’s why we’re excited to name Artus by Sixteen3 as Showcase PSR’s October Product Spotlight.

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