In "Peopleware", Tom de Marco tries to solve the problem, based on Christopher Alexander's observations: http://javatroopers.com/Peopleware.html#Chapter_13 htt

In "Peopleware", Tom de Marco tries to solve the problem, based on Christopher Alexander's observations: http://javatroopers.com/Peopleware.html#Chapter_13 http://javatroopers.com/Peopleware.html#Chapter_13 Edit: see also the discussion at http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?PeoplewareOnSharedSpaces http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?PeoplewareOnSharedSpaces His first rule is that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution :) but there are patterns :) He does identify the need for all three of - a communal space - a semiprivate/team space ("war rooms", etc) - a private space Also: "Each team needs identifiable public and semiprivate space and each individual needs protected private space. "