I hate cubicles -- how to design a cubicle-less office?

13 Comments

• I think a very open concept makes teams work better together. Of course if you're a small company you might only have one team, but if you have several projects on the go, something like a small group of computers together makes collaboration more effective.
  
  
  
  Rather than going the way of offices or cubicles, maybe have a setup where you have lots of desktop space and choose a model where your employees can either sit somewhere permanent (making it "their" space) or just simply plug in and work (works better if everyone is running laptops). A few offices off to the side (for privacy if needed) and maybe one for a meeting room (and conference calls) might work.
  
  
  
  Depends on the size of the company of course but I've seen both cube and office setups and your post trigged a thought about doing neither. YMMV.
  
  

• Oh, I should clarify this, I like offices too, just not cubicle farms.
  

• One of the strengths of cubicles is that since they isolate employees from one another, your company can be flexible in reassigning locations, since in theory, each cubicle is just as good as the next.
  
  
  
  If you have a more open model, you encourage informal employee collaboration, but you must design your company workspace to limit social problems that may arise.
  

• open space offices were horrible to work in. I admit.
  
  
  
  
  
  I think well desktop and seat can make me work efficient.So I think employer should allocate good work environment for employee.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  wzx2855@hotmail.com
  
  
  
  
  
  I am a programmer and wish to make friends with you .
  

• - wzx2855 (if that is your real name)
  
  
  
  Done! We are now friends.
  
  I am feeling pretty good about it - you?
  
  
  
  Can I borrow your car?
  
  
  
  

• What happen to the days of long tables, where you can rub elbows with the person next to you. You can turn to the guy next to you and say "Hey you got sugar for my coffee". There is nothing more about team work than long tables.
  
  
  
  Thomas H. Kazinski
  

• My company is currently trying to design a good setup for office space right now we and are trying to figure out the answer to this question as well.
  
  
  
  I have worked in environments that have 2 to an office and it worked pretty well. However, I have also worked for places that have a bunch of teams in one big war room and it wasn't really as effective.
  
  
  
  I do like Ron Shelton's idea there about setting up a workspace as well.
  

• Our company has a philosophy that everyone should have their own office, because it increases productivity and personal dignity. The president (and founder) said that back when he started the company he felt that way and now, 20+ years later and almost 500 employees, he still feels that way. If someone stops by a cube or shared office to chat, or if someone gets a phone call, all work around that person stops. Multiply that time by however many visitors and phone calls, that's lost productivity. We are still pretty social, but having separate offices gives people the chance to close doors or tune everything out when they need to focus. That and I can listen to my music without headphones!
  

• Just watch Superman and see how the Daily Planet looks. Hmmm, all the other posts are from 2005. This may be irrelevant. Or you just give out a big doh as you already have your cubicle system.
  

• I have worked for 40 years for one company. The days before cubicles was like family in a way. You were aware of peoples families because you could actually see and talk to them.
  Today I work in a cubicle and have been in this spot for over 2 years. I have never had communication with the person in the cubicles in front to mine!
  The cube walls are about 5.5 feet. It is insane that a company will provide this isolation. I also know the isolation is age related.
  

• This is an amazingly undiscussed subject. Doesn't anyone care about personal space? If you dont need personal space, you are a freak. Yet perversely there are many office environments that remove all personal space. Seriously, like I need to smell somebody else's farts all day. At least a decent cubicle preserves personal dignity, as someone said above.
  

• I absolutely agree with Ron Shelton. He has said it all and said it well!
  

• Designing a cubicle isn't an easy task. Imagine winning a makeover for your blessed office space. Well it depends on the condition of your present space. If your office/cubicle is voted the "worst" you could win the grand prize of a makeover. Check out the pimp my cube site for inspiration. Contest closes the end of January 2012