Open Space Technology: Seating Guide

Open Space Technology

CornerStone's Complimentary
Open Space Main Room Seating Guide

2 Rings 3 Rings4 Rings

dia (ft)	seats per sector	total seats	seats per sector	total seats	seats per sector	total seats
17.5	6, 10	64	6, 10, 14	120	6, 10, 14, 18	192
19.5	7, 11	72	7, 11, 15	132	7, 11, 15, 19	208
22.0	8, 12	80	8, 12, 16	144	8, 12, 16, 20	224
24.5	9, 13	88	9, 13, 17	156	9, 13, 17, 21	240
26.5	10,14	96	10, 14, 18	168	10, 14, 18, 22	256
29.0	11, 15	104	11, 15, 19	180	11, 15, 19, 23	272
31.5	12, 16	112	12, 16, 20	192
33.5	13, 17	120	13, 17, 21	204
36.0	14, 18	128	14, 18, 22	216
38.5	15, 19	136	15, 19, 23	228
40.5	16, 20	144	16, 20, 24	240
43.0	17, 21	152	17, 21, 25	252

Take the number of participants and choose a set-up that comes closest to that number.

For example, 130 people would work with a 36 foot diameter inner circle and two rings of chairs, or you could choose a 19.5 foot diameter inner circle with three rings of chairs.

For a single ring of chair, simply use the first ring from the two-ring column.

For example, a 24.5 foot diameter circle of chairs with 9 chairs per sector will seat 36 people.

Try to avoid the larger circles whenever possible due to the loss in intimacy in the opening and closing sessions. (And circles that are too small don't suggest enough Open Space.)

Diameter refers to the inner diameter of the innermost circle of chairs.

A ring consists of a circle of chairs with four aisleways breaking the ring into four sectors. Six chairs per sector yields a circle of 24 chairs.

Each successive ring should be spaced 4.5 feet behind the previous ring.

Most conference chairs seem to be fairly standard in dimension.

This chart provides the side-to-side clearance needed for comfort.

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