Is there evidence to suggest that certain office layouts are better than others for productivity?

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Joel Spolsky is pretty famous for advocating private offices for workers, particularly software developers (see here, here or here for example). I've also read that Microsoft generally has private offices, and I've interviewed at at least one company which also claimed private offices were better for productivity.

I'm curious what research has been done to support these claims, if any. Further, is there a "second best" layout? For example, are cubicles better than a completely open floor plan?

Since much of my work involves team interaction, I'm looking for data that addresses both individual and team productivity, if possible.

productivity office-layout cubicles

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edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

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asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

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  Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
  – Shog9♦
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
  – jefflunt
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:05
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
  – Neuro
  Jul 13 '12 at 22:39
  

  
  
  
  


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  While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
  – HLGEM
  Feb 12 '13 at 17:00
  

  
  
  
  


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  Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
  – user1113
  Mar 21 '13 at 3:24
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
42
down vote

favorite

16

Joel Spolsky is pretty famous for advocating private offices for workers, particularly software developers (see here, here or here for example). I've also read that Microsoft generally has private offices, and I've interviewed at at least one company which also claimed private offices were better for productivity.

I'm curious what research has been done to support these claims, if any. Further, is there a "second best" layout? For example, are cubicles better than a completely open floor plan?

Since much of my work involves team interaction, I'm looking for data that addresses both individual and team productivity, if possible.

productivity office-layout cubicles

share|improve this question

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
  – Shog9♦
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
  – jefflunt
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:05
  
  

  
  
  
  


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  IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
  – Neuro
  Jul 13 '12 at 22:39
  

  
  
  
  


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  While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
  – HLGEM
  Feb 12 '13 at 17:00
  

  
  
  
  


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  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
  – user1113
  Mar 21 '13 at 3:24
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
42
down vote

favorite

16

up vote
42
down vote

favorite

16

16

Joel Spolsky is pretty famous for advocating private offices for workers, particularly software developers (see here, here or here for example). I've also read that Microsoft generally has private offices, and I've interviewed at at least one company which also claimed private offices were better for productivity.

I'm curious what research has been done to support these claims, if any. Further, is there a "second best" layout? For example, are cubicles better than a completely open floor plan?

Since much of my work involves team interaction, I'm looking for data that addresses both individual and team productivity, if possible.

productivity office-layout cubicles

share|improve this question

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

Joel Spolsky is pretty famous for advocating private offices for workers, particularly software developers (see here, here or here for example). I've also read that Microsoft generally has private offices, and I've interviewed at at least one company which also claimed private offices were better for productivity.

I'm curious what research has been done to support these claims, if any. Further, is there a "second best" layout? For example, are cubicles better than a completely open floor plan?

Since much of my work involves team interaction, I'm looking for data that addresses both individual and team productivity, if possible.

productivity office-layout cubicles

share|improve this question

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

edited Feb 12 '13 at 9:42

gnat

3,23373066

3,23373066

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

asked Apr 11 '12 at 0:53

Kris Harper

1,08321424

1,08321424

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
  – Shog9♦
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
  – jefflunt
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:05
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
  – Neuro
  Jul 13 '12 at 22:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
  – HLGEM
  Feb 12 '13 at 17:00
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
  – user1113
  Mar 21 '13 at 3:24
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
  – Shog9♦
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:03
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
  – jefflunt
  Apr 11 '12 at 1:05
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
  – Neuro
  Jul 13 '12 at 22:39
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
  – HLGEM
  Feb 12 '13 at 17:00
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  5
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
  – user1113
  Mar 21 '13 at 3:24
  

  
  
  
  

2

2

Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
– Shog9♦
Apr 11 '12 at 1:03

Again, you're asking for "better" - better in what way? More productive for the employees? Cheaper? Easier on the HVAC system? Strive to be precise in your titles.
– Shog9♦
Apr 11 '12 at 1:03

1

1

If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
– jefflunt
Apr 11 '12 at 1:05

If you just rephrase your title to include the words "for productivity" (to match the question) I think you're fine. In fact, I submitted it as a suggested edit.
– jefflunt
Apr 11 '12 at 1:05

1

1

IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
– Neuro
Jul 13 '12 at 22:39

IBM Did some research that found around a 10%-15% boost in productivity - its mentioned in Rapid Development by Steve McConnell.
– Neuro
Jul 13 '12 at 22:39

2

2

While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
– HLGEM
Feb 12 '13 at 17:00

While private offices are great, it is unlikely that you will get them in most corporate environments. I will note however, that human beings hate having people approach them from behind and that is something to be aware of cubicle design. Go check out private offices (where the person has a choice in furniture placement) and you will rarely see one oriented so that the person's back is to the door.
– HLGEM
Feb 12 '13 at 17:00

5

5

Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
– user1113
Mar 21 '13 at 3:24

Research is great, but I think we can conclude that private offices are probably better based on one simple fact: in open plans, the people with any power still get private offices.
– user1113
Mar 21 '13 at 3:24

 | 
show 1 more comment

6 Answers
6

active

oldest

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up vote
41
down vote



accepted

There's a huge amount of research into how office layouts affect employee happiness and productivity, with some areas that have a consensus view, and others that don't.

Some of the things that have a consensus view are that poor lighting, uncomfortable furniture and high noise levels have highly detrimental impacts on productivity (see 1 and 2 below and this very good TED Talk).

However, one of the things that has more varying conclusions is that of office layout - specifically open-plan vs private offices. The general principle seems to be thus:

• In jobs or industries that require high levels of short, informal and immediate interactions between people, open plan offices are more productive.


• In jobs or industries where high levels of focus and concentration are required, private offices work best.

However, most of the studies that support open plan offices tend to have "softer" definitions and measures of productivity, while studies with firmer definitions and more scientific measurement practices tend to favour private offices. The biggest negative factor against open plan offices is almost always noise, and quieter open plan offices score better than loud ones. Headphones or ear plugs are also shown to help.

As such, the prevailing, though not consensus view, seems to be that private offices are better (see 3 below).

References:

1. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1460.pdf


2. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc45620/nrcc45620.pdf


3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16732/

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

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  Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
  – keshlam
  Jul 22 '16 at 14:00
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Probably this is not what you are looking for since that's not a research but an anecdotal evidence.

Yet I found it to be much easier to focus on complex and time-consuming tasks when sitting in a quiet room alone or with just a couple of other programmers.

My productivity drops sharply when people around are talking on the phone, having meetings, smalltalks etc - I have to actively screen that out by trying to ignore it, and subjectively that wastes a lot of "mental energy". I also noticed that I tend to burn out way faster in noisy environments as well as procrastinate more (switching to internet browsing, social web etc).

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I am of the opinion that:

Closed Offices can increase collaboration.

This sounds counter-intertuitive but it goes something like this:

In an 'open' office area, folks are trying to concentrate and work, so several things happen:

1) They don't want to make noise that interrupts everyone just to ask 1 person a question.

2) They are not sure if their question is valid and if they would look inferior just for asking it (ego).

3) They can't laugh loudly or express any overt emotions or noise without potentially disturbing others.

Whereas in a private office they can work and concentrate and they when they need help or to collaborate they can just go to, or bring in, a fellow employee.

This setup is not easy however as it:

- requires a very high level of trust. More than a standard employer-employee relationship.

- looks strange to others. Non IT folks don't have the same needs for quite and concentration and may just see things like private offices as personal 'perks'.

- requires more formal structure for inter-personal relationships where are still very important. This can be address with a daily scrum, daily lunches, etc. One of my friends that has a virtual team doesn't do scrum (doesn't suit his org) but does have a daily virtual lunch, just to keep in touch with everyone. This means that when inter-personal communication is needed, people have good personal relationships that will encourage good communication.

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

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  I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
  – Dunk
  Jul 29 '13 at 17:08
  

  
  
  
  

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up vote
3
down vote

I don't have any research, sorry. But from a "concentrating on the job" point of view, it seems obvious that screening out distractions would be a plus. Both visual and auditory distractions, so I think cubicles would be an improvement on an open floor plan. (Personal experience - I sat at a partially open desk facing into a room once, and ended up putting up a screen because the constant movement across my field of view distracted me too much. And having a room or at least a quiet corner of a room was definitely an improvement over constant coworker chatter.)

Once you get into team productivity, the issue gets much more difficult, and depends so much on the team's style and on how often they need to communicate that I suspect general studies might not be too helpful for deciding on the best option for a specific case.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

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  not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
  – dzieciou
  May 8 '13 at 21:05
  

  
  
  
  

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up vote
2
down vote

Open office must be defined. It is not just the presence of doors and wall, cube walls, or no walls.

If I am in an shared space with people working either directly on my project, or doing the same task that I am: then there is benefit to collaboration.

If the grouping of people is random then the other people are just a noise source. The only thing we have in common is trivial topics, so the only interaction we have is nonproductive.

Unfortunately companies have not been willing to maintain cohesion, and they devolve into a random assortment over time.

In the Unites States the GSA is pushing an office of the future.

The long corridors, closed-door offices and high cubicles that have always defined the culture of the federal workplace have given way to open spaces filled with industrial white desks that most employees must now reserve like hotel rooms.

Employees badge in at the lobby turnstile so their bosses know where they are. They touch down at desks they must leave without a trace of clutter if they want to avoid a scolding. “Teaming Rooms” are “leveraged” for meetings, and attendees are electronically logged in by a “room wizard” on the wall outside.

It is part of a long debate over how employers can best deploy their workers in the digital era. This year, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer banned her employees from working at home because she said they were goofing off.

But Tangherlini is betting that his employees will get more done if they are at home — or anywhere outside the office, for that matter — more often. He wants them
to instant-message, Google-chat,
e-mail and Internet-call their way through the workday on laptops and smartphones. He is betting that when they do venture into the office, they will work together better and more creatively if closed doors and high cubicles don’t get in the way.

Yes the government is designing office space that employees will hate so much they will work from home. Because the arrangement of space will be different everyday, the only way to guarantee collaboration is via electronic means. And if you are going that route you might as well be at home.

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

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  That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
  – HLGEM
  Jul 30 '13 at 17:35
  

  
  
  
  

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up vote
1
down vote

In Optimal office size: cubicles versus small rooms versus open plan? closed a duplicate of this question, Wikis answered:

According to Norbert & Diane
Schmitt's academic
text,
jobs that require teamwork (increasingly common) are best performed in
an open office.

Quote below with my emphasis:

How does a redesigned work space positively affect employee productivity? Studies suggest that work space, by itself, doesn't have
a substantial motivational impact on people; rather, it makes certain
behaviors easier or harder to perform. In this way, employee
effectiveness is enhanced or reduced. More specifically, evidence
shows that work space designs that increase employee contact, comfort,
and flexibility are likely to positively influence motivation and
productivity.

For instance, Amoco Corporation in Denver reported a 25 percent decrease in product cycle time (the time required to make its
products), a 75 percent decrease in formal meeting time, an 80 percent
reduction in duplicated files, and a 44 percent reduction in overall
space costs after offices were redesigned to facilitate teamwork.
Based on the evidence to date, an approach that matches office space
to the sophistication of the work required is probably best. Jobs that
are complex and require high degrees of concentration are likely to be
made more difficult by noise and constant interruptions. Such jobs are
best done in closed offices.

But most jobs don't require quiet and privacy. In fact, quite the contrary, jobs today increasingly require regular interaction with
others to achieve maximum productivity. This is probably best achieved
in an open office setting.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

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  I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
  – Michael Durrant
  Aug 1 '13 at 11:42
  

  
  
  
  


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  I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 5 '13 at 18:06
  

  
  
  
  


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  @Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
  – jmac
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:26
  

  
  
  
  


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  I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:37
  

  
  
  
  


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  Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
  – Emmet
  Mar 11 '14 at 14:46
  

  
  
  
  

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6 Answers
6

active

oldest

votes

6 Answers
6

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
41
down vote



accepted

There's a huge amount of research into how office layouts affect employee happiness and productivity, with some areas that have a consensus view, and others that don't.

Some of the things that have a consensus view are that poor lighting, uncomfortable furniture and high noise levels have highly detrimental impacts on productivity (see 1 and 2 below and this very good TED Talk).

However, one of the things that has more varying conclusions is that of office layout - specifically open-plan vs private offices. The general principle seems to be thus:

• In jobs or industries that require high levels of short, informal and immediate interactions between people, open plan offices are more productive.


• In jobs or industries where high levels of focus and concentration are required, private offices work best.

However, most of the studies that support open plan offices tend to have "softer" definitions and measures of productivity, while studies with firmer definitions and more scientific measurement practices tend to favour private offices. The biggest negative factor against open plan offices is almost always noise, and quieter open plan offices score better than loud ones. Headphones or ear plugs are also shown to help.

As such, the prevailing, though not consensus view, seems to be that private offices are better (see 3 below).

References:

1. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1460.pdf


2. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc45620/nrcc45620.pdf


3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16732/

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
  – keshlam
  Jul 22 '16 at 14:00
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
41
down vote



accepted

There's a huge amount of research into how office layouts affect employee happiness and productivity, with some areas that have a consensus view, and others that don't.

Some of the things that have a consensus view are that poor lighting, uncomfortable furniture and high noise levels have highly detrimental impacts on productivity (see 1 and 2 below and this very good TED Talk).

However, one of the things that has more varying conclusions is that of office layout - specifically open-plan vs private offices. The general principle seems to be thus:

• In jobs or industries that require high levels of short, informal and immediate interactions between people, open plan offices are more productive.


• In jobs or industries where high levels of focus and concentration are required, private offices work best.

However, most of the studies that support open plan offices tend to have "softer" definitions and measures of productivity, while studies with firmer definitions and more scientific measurement practices tend to favour private offices. The biggest negative factor against open plan offices is almost always noise, and quieter open plan offices score better than loud ones. Headphones or ear plugs are also shown to help.

As such, the prevailing, though not consensus view, seems to be that private offices are better (see 3 below).

References:

1. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1460.pdf


2. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc45620/nrcc45620.pdf


3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16732/

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
  – keshlam
  Jul 22 '16 at 14:00
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
41
down vote



accepted

up vote
41
down vote



accepted

There's a huge amount of research into how office layouts affect employee happiness and productivity, with some areas that have a consensus view, and others that don't.

Some of the things that have a consensus view are that poor lighting, uncomfortable furniture and high noise levels have highly detrimental impacts on productivity (see 1 and 2 below and this very good TED Talk).

However, one of the things that has more varying conclusions is that of office layout - specifically open-plan vs private offices. The general principle seems to be thus:

• In jobs or industries that require high levels of short, informal and immediate interactions between people, open plan offices are more productive.


• In jobs or industries where high levels of focus and concentration are required, private offices work best.

However, most of the studies that support open plan offices tend to have "softer" definitions and measures of productivity, while studies with firmer definitions and more scientific measurement practices tend to favour private offices. The biggest negative factor against open plan offices is almost always noise, and quieter open plan offices score better than loud ones. Headphones or ear plugs are also shown to help.

As such, the prevailing, though not consensus view, seems to be that private offices are better (see 3 below).

References:

1. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1460.pdf


2. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc45620/nrcc45620.pdf


3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16732/

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

There's a huge amount of research into how office layouts affect employee happiness and productivity, with some areas that have a consensus view, and others that don't.

Some of the things that have a consensus view are that poor lighting, uncomfortable furniture and high noise levels have highly detrimental impacts on productivity (see 1 and 2 below and this very good TED Talk).

However, one of the things that has more varying conclusions is that of office layout - specifically open-plan vs private offices. The general principle seems to be thus:

• In jobs or industries that require high levels of short, informal and immediate interactions between people, open plan offices are more productive.


• In jobs or industries where high levels of focus and concentration are required, private offices work best.

However, most of the studies that support open plan offices tend to have "softer" definitions and measures of productivity, while studies with firmer definitions and more scientific measurement practices tend to favour private offices. The biggest negative factor against open plan offices is almost always noise, and quieter open plan offices score better than loud ones. Headphones or ear plugs are also shown to help.

As such, the prevailing, though not consensus view, seems to be that private offices are better (see 3 below).

References:

1. http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1460.pdf


2. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/nrcc45620/nrcc45620.pdf


3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16732/

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

edited Apr 11 '12 at 21:25

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

answered Apr 11 '12 at 21:13

John N

2,0201818

2,0201818

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
  – keshlam
  Jul 22 '16 at 14:00
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
  – keshlam
  Jul 22 '16 at 14:00
  

  
  
  
  

Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
– keshlam
Jul 22 '16 at 14:00

Private offices are unfortunately also more expensive, so companies are biased toward accepting studies that support open plan. Personally, I'd like to see more attention given to an intermediate solution, combining team labs for things which are best done in collaborative mode and small offices for the times when you really need to get away from distractions and hyperfocus.
– keshlam
Jul 22 '16 at 14:00

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Probably this is not what you are looking for since that's not a research but an anecdotal evidence.

Yet I found it to be much easier to focus on complex and time-consuming tasks when sitting in a quiet room alone or with just a couple of other programmers.

My productivity drops sharply when people around are talking on the phone, having meetings, smalltalks etc - I have to actively screen that out by trying to ignore it, and subjectively that wastes a lot of "mental energy". I also noticed that I tend to burn out way faster in noisy environments as well as procrastinate more (switching to internet browsing, social web etc).

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

Probably this is not what you are looking for since that's not a research but an anecdotal evidence.

Yet I found it to be much easier to focus on complex and time-consuming tasks when sitting in a quiet room alone or with just a couple of other programmers.

My productivity drops sharply when people around are talking on the phone, having meetings, smalltalks etc - I have to actively screen that out by trying to ignore it, and subjectively that wastes a lot of "mental energy". I also noticed that I tend to burn out way faster in noisy environments as well as procrastinate more (switching to internet browsing, social web etc).

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

add a comment | 

up vote
9
down vote

up vote
9
down vote

Probably this is not what you are looking for since that's not a research but an anecdotal evidence.

Yet I found it to be much easier to focus on complex and time-consuming tasks when sitting in a quiet room alone or with just a couple of other programmers.

My productivity drops sharply when people around are talking on the phone, having meetings, smalltalks etc - I have to actively screen that out by trying to ignore it, and subjectively that wastes a lot of "mental energy". I also noticed that I tend to burn out way faster in noisy environments as well as procrastinate more (switching to internet browsing, social web etc).

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

Probably this is not what you are looking for since that's not a research but an anecdotal evidence.

Yet I found it to be much easier to focus on complex and time-consuming tasks when sitting in a quiet room alone or with just a couple of other programmers.

My productivity drops sharply when people around are talking on the phone, having meetings, smalltalks etc - I have to actively screen that out by trying to ignore it, and subjectively that wastes a lot of "mental energy". I also noticed that I tend to burn out way faster in noisy environments as well as procrastinate more (switching to internet browsing, social web etc).

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

edited Jul 22 '16 at 13:18

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

answered Apr 11 '12 at 1:36

Art

523148

523148

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I am of the opinion that:

Closed Offices can increase collaboration.

This sounds counter-intertuitive but it goes something like this:

In an 'open' office area, folks are trying to concentrate and work, so several things happen:

1) They don't want to make noise that interrupts everyone just to ask 1 person a question.

2) They are not sure if their question is valid and if they would look inferior just for asking it (ego).

3) They can't laugh loudly or express any overt emotions or noise without potentially disturbing others.

Whereas in a private office they can work and concentrate and they when they need help or to collaborate they can just go to, or bring in, a fellow employee.

This setup is not easy however as it:

- requires a very high level of trust. More than a standard employer-employee relationship.

- looks strange to others. Non IT folks don't have the same needs for quite and concentration and may just see things like private offices as personal 'perks'.

- requires more formal structure for inter-personal relationships where are still very important. This can be address with a daily scrum, daily lunches, etc. One of my friends that has a virtual team doesn't do scrum (doesn't suit his org) but does have a daily virtual lunch, just to keep in touch with everyone. This means that when inter-personal communication is needed, people have good personal relationships that will encourage good communication.

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
  – Dunk
  Jul 29 '13 at 17:08
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

I am of the opinion that:

Closed Offices can increase collaboration.

This sounds counter-intertuitive but it goes something like this:

In an 'open' office area, folks are trying to concentrate and work, so several things happen:

1) They don't want to make noise that interrupts everyone just to ask 1 person a question.

2) They are not sure if their question is valid and if they would look inferior just for asking it (ego).

3) They can't laugh loudly or express any overt emotions or noise without potentially disturbing others.

Whereas in a private office they can work and concentrate and they when they need help or to collaborate they can just go to, or bring in, a fellow employee.

This setup is not easy however as it:

- requires a very high level of trust. More than a standard employer-employee relationship.

- looks strange to others. Non IT folks don't have the same needs for quite and concentration and may just see things like private offices as personal 'perks'.

- requires more formal structure for inter-personal relationships where are still very important. This can be address with a daily scrum, daily lunches, etc. One of my friends that has a virtual team doesn't do scrum (doesn't suit his org) but does have a daily virtual lunch, just to keep in touch with everyone. This means that when inter-personal communication is needed, people have good personal relationships that will encourage good communication.

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
  – Dunk
  Jul 29 '13 at 17:08
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
7
down vote

up vote
7
down vote

I am of the opinion that:

Closed Offices can increase collaboration.

This sounds counter-intertuitive but it goes something like this:

In an 'open' office area, folks are trying to concentrate and work, so several things happen:

1) They don't want to make noise that interrupts everyone just to ask 1 person a question.

2) They are not sure if their question is valid and if they would look inferior just for asking it (ego).

3) They can't laugh loudly or express any overt emotions or noise without potentially disturbing others.

Whereas in a private office they can work and concentrate and they when they need help or to collaborate they can just go to, or bring in, a fellow employee.

This setup is not easy however as it:

- requires a very high level of trust. More than a standard employer-employee relationship.

- looks strange to others. Non IT folks don't have the same needs for quite and concentration and may just see things like private offices as personal 'perks'.

- requires more formal structure for inter-personal relationships where are still very important. This can be address with a daily scrum, daily lunches, etc. One of my friends that has a virtual team doesn't do scrum (doesn't suit his org) but does have a daily virtual lunch, just to keep in touch with everyone. This means that when inter-personal communication is needed, people have good personal relationships that will encourage good communication.

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

I am of the opinion that:

Closed Offices can increase collaboration.

This sounds counter-intertuitive but it goes something like this:

In an 'open' office area, folks are trying to concentrate and work, so several things happen:

1) They don't want to make noise that interrupts everyone just to ask 1 person a question.

2) They are not sure if their question is valid and if they would look inferior just for asking it (ego).

3) They can't laugh loudly or express any overt emotions or noise without potentially disturbing others.

Whereas in a private office they can work and concentrate and they when they need help or to collaborate they can just go to, or bring in, a fellow employee.

This setup is not easy however as it:

- requires a very high level of trust. More than a standard employer-employee relationship.

- looks strange to others. Non IT folks don't have the same needs for quite and concentration and may just see things like private offices as personal 'perks'.

- requires more formal structure for inter-personal relationships where are still very important. This can be address with a daily scrum, daily lunches, etc. One of my friends that has a virtual team doesn't do scrum (doesn't suit his org) but does have a daily virtual lunch, just to keep in touch with everyone. This means that when inter-personal communication is needed, people have good personal relationships that will encourage good communication.

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

answered May 19 '12 at 15:33

Michael Durrant

9,68122856

9,68122856

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
  – Dunk
  Jul 29 '13 at 17:08
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
  – Dunk
  Jul 29 '13 at 17:08
  

  
  
  
  

2

2

I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
– Dunk
Jul 29 '13 at 17:08

I would also add that private offices increase the efficiency of collaboration. No longer is it a simple matter to blurt out a random question, thereby interrupting other people. With private offices, one tends to think about the question first, in particular is it worth going over to so and so's office, in the process they frequently answer the question on their own, but if they do need to ask the question they usually know what they are asking about because they've put some thought into it.
– Dunk
Jul 29 '13 at 17:08

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

I don't have any research, sorry. But from a "concentrating on the job" point of view, it seems obvious that screening out distractions would be a plus. Both visual and auditory distractions, so I think cubicles would be an improvement on an open floor plan. (Personal experience - I sat at a partially open desk facing into a room once, and ended up putting up a screen because the constant movement across my field of view distracted me too much. And having a room or at least a quiet corner of a room was definitely an improvement over constant coworker chatter.)

Once you get into team productivity, the issue gets much more difficult, and depends so much on the team's style and on how often they need to communicate that I suspect general studies might not be too helpful for deciding on the best option for a specific case.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
  – dzieciou
  May 8 '13 at 21:05
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

I don't have any research, sorry. But from a "concentrating on the job" point of view, it seems obvious that screening out distractions would be a plus. Both visual and auditory distractions, so I think cubicles would be an improvement on an open floor plan. (Personal experience - I sat at a partially open desk facing into a room once, and ended up putting up a screen because the constant movement across my field of view distracted me too much. And having a room or at least a quiet corner of a room was definitely an improvement over constant coworker chatter.)

Once you get into team productivity, the issue gets much more difficult, and depends so much on the team's style and on how often they need to communicate that I suspect general studies might not be too helpful for deciding on the best option for a specific case.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
  – dzieciou
  May 8 '13 at 21:05
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

I don't have any research, sorry. But from a "concentrating on the job" point of view, it seems obvious that screening out distractions would be a plus. Both visual and auditory distractions, so I think cubicles would be an improvement on an open floor plan. (Personal experience - I sat at a partially open desk facing into a room once, and ended up putting up a screen because the constant movement across my field of view distracted me too much. And having a room or at least a quiet corner of a room was definitely an improvement over constant coworker chatter.)

Once you get into team productivity, the issue gets much more difficult, and depends so much on the team's style and on how often they need to communicate that I suspect general studies might not be too helpful for deciding on the best option for a specific case.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

I don't have any research, sorry. But from a "concentrating on the job" point of view, it seems obvious that screening out distractions would be a plus. Both visual and auditory distractions, so I think cubicles would be an improvement on an open floor plan. (Personal experience - I sat at a partially open desk facing into a room once, and ended up putting up a screen because the constant movement across my field of view distracted me too much. And having a room or at least a quiet corner of a room was definitely an improvement over constant coworker chatter.)

Once you get into team productivity, the issue gets much more difficult, and depends so much on the team's style and on how often they need to communicate that I suspect general studies might not be too helpful for deciding on the best option for a specific case.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

answered Apr 11 '12 at 2:42

weronika

2,56021527

2,56021527

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
  – dzieciou
  May 8 '13 at 21:05
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
  – dzieciou
  May 8 '13 at 21:05
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
– dzieciou
May 8 '13 at 21:05

not only team style matters here, but also natural predispositions of a person. Some people are more sensitive to distraction and noise, other have more ease when switching context and focus.
– dzieciou
May 8 '13 at 21:05

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

Open office must be defined. It is not just the presence of doors and wall, cube walls, or no walls.

If I am in an shared space with people working either directly on my project, or doing the same task that I am: then there is benefit to collaboration.

If the grouping of people is random then the other people are just a noise source. The only thing we have in common is trivial topics, so the only interaction we have is nonproductive.

Unfortunately companies have not been willing to maintain cohesion, and they devolve into a random assortment over time.

In the Unites States the GSA is pushing an office of the future.

The long corridors, closed-door offices and high cubicles that have always defined the culture of the federal workplace have given way to open spaces filled with industrial white desks that most employees must now reserve like hotel rooms.

Employees badge in at the lobby turnstile so their bosses know where they are. They touch down at desks they must leave without a trace of clutter if they want to avoid a scolding. “Teaming Rooms” are “leveraged” for meetings, and attendees are electronically logged in by a “room wizard” on the wall outside.

It is part of a long debate over how employers can best deploy their workers in the digital era. This year, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer banned her employees from working at home because she said they were goofing off.

But Tangherlini is betting that his employees will get more done if they are at home — or anywhere outside the office, for that matter — more often. He wants them
to instant-message, Google-chat,
e-mail and Internet-call their way through the workday on laptops and smartphones. He is betting that when they do venture into the office, they will work together better and more creatively if closed doors and high cubicles don’t get in the way.

Yes the government is designing office space that employees will hate so much they will work from home. Because the arrangement of space will be different everyday, the only way to guarantee collaboration is via electronic means. And if you are going that route you might as well be at home.

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
  – HLGEM
  Jul 30 '13 at 17:35
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

Open office must be defined. It is not just the presence of doors and wall, cube walls, or no walls.

If I am in an shared space with people working either directly on my project, or doing the same task that I am: then there is benefit to collaboration.

If the grouping of people is random then the other people are just a noise source. The only thing we have in common is trivial topics, so the only interaction we have is nonproductive.

Unfortunately companies have not been willing to maintain cohesion, and they devolve into a random assortment over time.

In the Unites States the GSA is pushing an office of the future.

The long corridors, closed-door offices and high cubicles that have always defined the culture of the federal workplace have given way to open spaces filled with industrial white desks that most employees must now reserve like hotel rooms.

Employees badge in at the lobby turnstile so their bosses know where they are. They touch down at desks they must leave without a trace of clutter if they want to avoid a scolding. “Teaming Rooms” are “leveraged” for meetings, and attendees are electronically logged in by a “room wizard” on the wall outside.

It is part of a long debate over how employers can best deploy their workers in the digital era. This year, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer banned her employees from working at home because she said they were goofing off.

But Tangherlini is betting that his employees will get more done if they are at home — or anywhere outside the office, for that matter — more often. He wants them
to instant-message, Google-chat,
e-mail and Internet-call their way through the workday on laptops and smartphones. He is betting that when they do venture into the office, they will work together better and more creatively if closed doors and high cubicles don’t get in the way.

Yes the government is designing office space that employees will hate so much they will work from home. Because the arrangement of space will be different everyday, the only way to guarantee collaboration is via electronic means. And if you are going that route you might as well be at home.

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
  – HLGEM
  Jul 30 '13 at 17:35
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
2
down vote

up vote
2
down vote

Open office must be defined. It is not just the presence of doors and wall, cube walls, or no walls.

If I am in an shared space with people working either directly on my project, or doing the same task that I am: then there is benefit to collaboration.

If the grouping of people is random then the other people are just a noise source. The only thing we have in common is trivial topics, so the only interaction we have is nonproductive.

Unfortunately companies have not been willing to maintain cohesion, and they devolve into a random assortment over time.

In the Unites States the GSA is pushing an office of the future.

The long corridors, closed-door offices and high cubicles that have always defined the culture of the federal workplace have given way to open spaces filled with industrial white desks that most employees must now reserve like hotel rooms.

Employees badge in at the lobby turnstile so their bosses know where they are. They touch down at desks they must leave without a trace of clutter if they want to avoid a scolding. “Teaming Rooms” are “leveraged” for meetings, and attendees are electronically logged in by a “room wizard” on the wall outside.

It is part of a long debate over how employers can best deploy their workers in the digital era. This year, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer banned her employees from working at home because she said they were goofing off.

But Tangherlini is betting that his employees will get more done if they are at home — or anywhere outside the office, for that matter — more often. He wants them
to instant-message, Google-chat,
e-mail and Internet-call their way through the workday on laptops and smartphones. He is betting that when they do venture into the office, they will work together better and more creatively if closed doors and high cubicles don’t get in the way.

Yes the government is designing office space that employees will hate so much they will work from home. Because the arrangement of space will be different everyday, the only way to guarantee collaboration is via electronic means. And if you are going that route you might as well be at home.

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

Open office must be defined. It is not just the presence of doors and wall, cube walls, or no walls.

If I am in an shared space with people working either directly on my project, or doing the same task that I am: then there is benefit to collaboration.

If the grouping of people is random then the other people are just a noise source. The only thing we have in common is trivial topics, so the only interaction we have is nonproductive.

Unfortunately companies have not been willing to maintain cohesion, and they devolve into a random assortment over time.

In the Unites States the GSA is pushing an office of the future.

The long corridors, closed-door offices and high cubicles that have always defined the culture of the federal workplace have given way to open spaces filled with industrial white desks that most employees must now reserve like hotel rooms.

Employees badge in at the lobby turnstile so their bosses know where they are. They touch down at desks they must leave without a trace of clutter if they want to avoid a scolding. “Teaming Rooms” are “leveraged” for meetings, and attendees are electronically logged in by a “room wizard” on the wall outside.

It is part of a long debate over how employers can best deploy their workers in the digital era. This year, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer banned her employees from working at home because she said they were goofing off.

But Tangherlini is betting that his employees will get more done if they are at home — or anywhere outside the office, for that matter — more often. He wants them
to instant-message, Google-chat,
e-mail and Internet-call their way through the workday on laptops and smartphones. He is betting that when they do venture into the office, they will work together better and more creatively if closed doors and high cubicles don’t get in the way.

Yes the government is designing office space that employees will hate so much they will work from home. Because the arrangement of space will be different everyday, the only way to guarantee collaboration is via electronic means. And if you are going that route you might as well be at home.

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

answered Jul 29 '13 at 10:46

mhoran_psprep

40.3k463144

40.3k463144

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
  – HLGEM
  Jul 30 '13 at 17:35
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  4
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
  – HLGEM
  Jul 30 '13 at 17:35
  

  
  
  
  

4

4

That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
– HLGEM
Jul 30 '13 at 17:35

That office of the future would be enough to make me leave an organization. It makes me want to vomit just reading about it.
– HLGEM
Jul 30 '13 at 17:35

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

In Optimal office size: cubicles versus small rooms versus open plan? closed a duplicate of this question, Wikis answered:

According to Norbert & Diane
Schmitt's academic
text,
jobs that require teamwork (increasingly common) are best performed in
an open office.

Quote below with my emphasis:

How does a redesigned work space positively affect employee productivity? Studies suggest that work space, by itself, doesn't have
a substantial motivational impact on people; rather, it makes certain
behaviors easier or harder to perform. In this way, employee
effectiveness is enhanced or reduced. More specifically, evidence
shows that work space designs that increase employee contact, comfort,
and flexibility are likely to positively influence motivation and
productivity.

For instance, Amoco Corporation in Denver reported a 25 percent decrease in product cycle time (the time required to make its
products), a 75 percent decrease in formal meeting time, an 80 percent
reduction in duplicated files, and a 44 percent reduction in overall
space costs after offices were redesigned to facilitate teamwork.
Based on the evidence to date, an approach that matches office space
to the sophistication of the work required is probably best. Jobs that
are complex and require high degrees of concentration are likely to be
made more difficult by noise and constant interruptions. Such jobs are
best done in closed offices.

But most jobs don't require quiet and privacy. In fact, quite the contrary, jobs today increasingly require regular interaction with
others to achieve maximum productivity. This is probably best achieved
in an open office setting.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
  – Michael Durrant
  Aug 1 '13 at 11:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 5 '13 at 18:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
  – jmac
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
  – Emmet
  Mar 11 '14 at 14:46
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
1
down vote

In Optimal office size: cubicles versus small rooms versus open plan? closed a duplicate of this question, Wikis answered:

According to Norbert & Diane
Schmitt's academic
text,
jobs that require teamwork (increasingly common) are best performed in
an open office.

Quote below with my emphasis:

How does a redesigned work space positively affect employee productivity? Studies suggest that work space, by itself, doesn't have
a substantial motivational impact on people; rather, it makes certain
behaviors easier or harder to perform. In this way, employee
effectiveness is enhanced or reduced. More specifically, evidence
shows that work space designs that increase employee contact, comfort,
and flexibility are likely to positively influence motivation and
productivity.

For instance, Amoco Corporation in Denver reported a 25 percent decrease in product cycle time (the time required to make its
products), a 75 percent decrease in formal meeting time, an 80 percent
reduction in duplicated files, and a 44 percent reduction in overall
space costs after offices were redesigned to facilitate teamwork.
Based on the evidence to date, an approach that matches office space
to the sophistication of the work required is probably best. Jobs that
are complex and require high degrees of concentration are likely to be
made more difficult by noise and constant interruptions. Such jobs are
best done in closed offices.

But most jobs don't require quiet and privacy. In fact, quite the contrary, jobs today increasingly require regular interaction with
others to achieve maximum productivity. This is probably best achieved
in an open office setting.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
  – Michael Durrant
  Aug 1 '13 at 11:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 5 '13 at 18:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
  – jmac
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
  – Emmet
  Mar 11 '14 at 14:46
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

In Optimal office size: cubicles versus small rooms versus open plan? closed a duplicate of this question, Wikis answered:

According to Norbert & Diane
Schmitt's academic
text,
jobs that require teamwork (increasingly common) are best performed in
an open office.

Quote below with my emphasis:

How does a redesigned work space positively affect employee productivity? Studies suggest that work space, by itself, doesn't have
a substantial motivational impact on people; rather, it makes certain
behaviors easier or harder to perform. In this way, employee
effectiveness is enhanced or reduced. More specifically, evidence
shows that work space designs that increase employee contact, comfort,
and flexibility are likely to positively influence motivation and
productivity.

For instance, Amoco Corporation in Denver reported a 25 percent decrease in product cycle time (the time required to make its
products), a 75 percent decrease in formal meeting time, an 80 percent
reduction in duplicated files, and a 44 percent reduction in overall
space costs after offices were redesigned to facilitate teamwork.
Based on the evidence to date, an approach that matches office space
to the sophistication of the work required is probably best. Jobs that
are complex and require high degrees of concentration are likely to be
made more difficult by noise and constant interruptions. Such jobs are
best done in closed offices.

But most jobs don't require quiet and privacy. In fact, quite the contrary, jobs today increasingly require regular interaction with
others to achieve maximum productivity. This is probably best achieved
in an open office setting.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

In Optimal office size: cubicles versus small rooms versus open plan? closed a duplicate of this question, Wikis answered:

According to Norbert & Diane
Schmitt's academic
text,
jobs that require teamwork (increasingly common) are best performed in
an open office.

Quote below with my emphasis:

How does a redesigned work space positively affect employee productivity? Studies suggest that work space, by itself, doesn't have
a substantial motivational impact on people; rather, it makes certain
behaviors easier or harder to perform. In this way, employee
effectiveness is enhanced or reduced. More specifically, evidence
shows that work space designs that increase employee contact, comfort,
and flexibility are likely to positively influence motivation and
productivity.

For instance, Amoco Corporation in Denver reported a 25 percent decrease in product cycle time (the time required to make its
products), a 75 percent decrease in formal meeting time, an 80 percent
reduction in duplicated files, and a 44 percent reduction in overall
space costs after offices were redesigned to facilitate teamwork.
Based on the evidence to date, an approach that matches office space
to the sophistication of the work required is probably best. Jobs that
are complex and require high degrees of concentration are likely to be
made more difficult by noise and constant interruptions. Such jobs are
best done in closed offices.

But most jobs don't require quiet and privacy. In fact, quite the contrary, jobs today increasingly require regular interaction with
others to achieve maximum productivity. This is probably best achieved
in an open office setting.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

community wiki

2 revs
jmac

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
  – Michael Durrant
  Aug 1 '13 at 11:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 5 '13 at 18:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
  – jmac
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
  – Emmet
  Mar 11 '14 at 14:46
  

  
  
  
  

 | 
show 1 more comment

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
  – Michael Durrant
  Aug 1 '13 at 11:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 5 '13 at 18:06
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
  – jmac
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
  – Kyralessa
  Dec 6 '13 at 1:37
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
  – Emmet
  Mar 11 '14 at 14:46
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
– Michael Durrant
Aug 1 '13 at 11:42

I think that might be true for some industries such as making products. I think that others such as IT and specifically programmers might be different due to the need to spend 15 minutes just getting into a very complex problem with dozens of layers and an open office is not helpful.
– Michael Durrant
Aug 1 '13 at 11:42

1

1

I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
– Kyralessa
Dec 5 '13 at 18:06

I note that the above doesn't include any judgments about product quality. Just because products were completed 25% faster doesn't necessarily mean they were done 100% as well in an open-plan office as they were with closed offices.
– Kyralessa
Dec 5 '13 at 18:06

@Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
– jmac
Dec 6 '13 at 1:26

@Kyra, I'm just the messenger on this one. The linked answer was on a question closed as a duplicate of this one, so I wanted to make sure the information from it was available here. You may want to comment on the linked answer to address that one instead.
– jmac
Dec 6 '13 at 1:26

I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
– Kyralessa
Dec 6 '13 at 1:37

I have to wonder, as well, what is meant by "jobs that require teamwork". What is the nature of a job that "requires" teamwork? In my experience, office jobs require teamwork because some manager has decided they do.
– Kyralessa
Dec 6 '13 at 1:37

1

1

Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
– Emmet
Mar 11 '14 at 14:46

Is this conclusion supported by empirical evidence, or just a bald assertion by the authors?
– Emmet
Mar 11 '14 at 14:46

 | 
show 1 more comment

 

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