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The problem for some people is the open layout inhibits collaboration. Nobody wants to start talking because it disturbs others. Whereas if you could just wal

The problem for some people is the open layout inhibits collaboration. Nobody wants to start talking because it disturbs others. Whereas if you could just walk into someone's office and close the door you'd feel free to yak away.

maxxxxx 8y ago
Exactly. A real discussion can often get loud but you can't really do that in an open layout. So collaboration becomes pretty shallow.
metamet 8y ago
We have "pods" where each pod has 10 desks (with monitors/standing desks, etc), five along each of the two outside walls, with two long tables and TVs on wheels between the desk-walls. We each have privacy (and our own seating), but the collaboration is always available and not overwhelming. I dig it a lot more than the cube I had at my old job.
- alexgmcm 8y ago
  My PhD office was like that and it was pretty sweet. Now I work in industry with a fully open office and yeah, it's a nightmare.
srean 8y ago
Open office is for 2 people 'collaborating' vigorously or trading weekend stories and the rest either bearing all that 'collaboration' or trying to drown it out with an earphone/headphone.
snarkyturtle 8y ago
I'd say it encourages collaboration moreso. It's way easier to get somone's attention and get a quick clarification, although in this day and age I'd probably even Slack someone sitting next to me rather than talk. For long discussions that's when you book a meeting room.
- anonuser123456 8y ago
  Except that in the open office structure, all the managers permanently book the conference rooms so they have an office.
- AlexandrB 8y ago
  > I'd say it encourages collaboration moreso. There's not a ton of research on this. But what's out there[1] suggests that open office spaces actually decrease collaboration. [1] https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rstb.2017.0239 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rstb.201...
PascLeRasc 8y ago
I work in an open office. The only thing that bothers me is people doing the "fake whisper", where they talk in a regular volume but with a strained whispery voice. Just talk normally, it's easier for both the listener to hear and for other people in the room to tune out.
- loco5niner 8y ago
  I find it difficult to tune out normal talking (also, extra loud talking). I especially appreciate people who can talk normally while at the same time reducing their volume.
pmoriarty 8y ago
"Nobody wants to start talking because it disturbs others." That's never stopped anyone in my office. The place is full of constant interruptions that an open office layout facilitates.

maxxxxx 8y ago

Exactly. A real discussion can often get loud but you can't really do that in an open layout. So collaboration becomes pretty shallow.

metamet 8y ago

We have "pods" where each pod has 10 desks (with monitors/standing desks, etc), five along each of the two outside walls, with two long tables and TVs on wheels between the desk-walls. We each have privacy (and our own seating), but the collaboration is always available and not overwhelming. I dig it a lot more than the cube I had at my old job.

alexgmcm 8y ago
My PhD office was like that and it was pretty sweet. Now I work in industry with a fully open office and yeah, it's a nightmare.

srean 8y ago

Open office is for 2 people 'collaborating' vigorously or trading weekend stories and the rest either bearing all that 'collaboration' or trying to drown it out with an earphone/headphone.

snarkyturtle 8y ago

I'd say it encourages collaboration moreso. It's way easier to get somone's attention and get a quick clarification, although in this day and age I'd probably even Slack someone sitting next to me rather than talk. For long discussions that's when you book a meeting room.

anonuser123456 8y ago
Except that in the open office structure, all the managers permanently book the conference rooms so they have an office.
AlexandrB 8y ago
> I'd say it encourages collaboration moreso. There's not a ton of research on this. But what's out there[1] suggests that open office spaces actually decrease collaboration. [1] https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rstb.2017.0239 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rstb.201...

PascLeRasc 8y ago

I work in an open office. The only thing that bothers me is people doing the "fake whisper", where they talk in a regular volume but with a strained whispery voice. Just talk normally, it's easier for both the listener to hear and for other people in the room to tune out.

loco5niner 8y ago
I find it difficult to tune out normal talking (also, extra loud talking). I especially appreciate people who can talk normally while at the same time reducing their volume.

pmoriarty 8y ago

"Nobody wants to start talking because it disturbs others." That's never stopped anyone in my office. The place is full of constant interruptions that an open office layout facilitates.