4 ms·

I'm convinced that the ideal layout for developers is single offices, with doors, big enough for pair programming. Anything else is wasting developer attention

I'm convinced that the ideal layout for developers is single offices, with doors, big enough for pair programming. Anything else is wasting developer attention and the opportunities for collaboration enabled while being in close proximity.

Someone1234 11y ago
The problem with "real" micro-offices is that a lot of SMBs don't own the physical property, and instead they rent. These properties often have drop ceilings, so even if the "walls" of the office(s) hit the ceiling, sound would still very easily travel up and over (and removing the drop ceilings is expensive/hard). Companies had an alternative: Cubicles. They were modular, relatively inexpensive, and gave the experience of an office but without needing building work or cooperation with the landlord. But people "hated" those and companies that utilised them were seen as dinosaurs (see the movie Office Space). Then a few companies did open plan, and every said they were young, forward thinking, and trendy so of course a bunch of companies are going to follow suit... Ultimately micro-offices would be wonderful, but they have practical and cost problems. Plus let us not forget fire codes. That alone can dictate how an office will be laid out (so fire exits are visible, etc).
- jdavis703 11y ago
  Wouldn't micro offices block out natural light? I know many developers thrive in the dark, but I can not work without sunlight for long. Even with vitamin D supplements I start feeling lethargic and mentally down, which has major performance implications for both how I interact with coworkers, my creativity and how much I can get done. Surely I'm not the only person who experiences this?
  - mikeryan 11y ago
    So the co-working Space Wework uses glass dividers for their offices to allow for interior offices with natural light Didn't find great pics but here's a GIS https://www.google.com/search?q=We+Work+Offices&espv=2&biw=1152&bih=1211&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OjmIVeXlKILjoASo06bQDQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1 https://www.google.com/search?q=We+Work+Offices&espv=2&biw=1...
    - mcguire 11y ago
      Mmm, fishbowls.
- mpdehaan2 11y ago
  I'm not sure the general age demographic here, but just in case people haven't seen cubes :)... We hated cubes because they weren't offices, and Dilbert-style culture was common in companies with them, so they get rid of the cubes and gave us tables, and kept the same cultural problems. This was perhaps the most crazy thing to do. We didn't hate the cubes, we wanted more privacy than the cubes provided.

Someone1234 11y ago

The problem with "real" micro-offices is that a lot of SMBs don't own the physical property, and instead they rent. These properties often have drop ceilings, so even if the "walls" of the office(s) hit the ceiling, sound would still very easily travel up and over (and removing the drop ceilings is expensive/hard). Companies had an alternative: Cubicles. They were modular, relatively inexpensive, and gave the experience of an office but without needing building work or cooperation with the landlord. But people "hated" those and companies that utilised them were seen as dinosaurs (see the movie Office Space). Then a few companies did open plan, and every said they were young, forward thinking, and trendy so of course a bunch of companies are going to follow suit... Ultimately micro-offices would be wonderful, but they have practical and cost problems. Plus let us not forget fire codes. That alone can dictate how an office will be laid out (so fire exits are visible, etc).

jdavis703 11y ago
Wouldn't micro offices block out natural light? I know many developers thrive in the dark, but I can not work without sunlight for long. Even with vitamin D supplements I start feeling lethargic and mentally down, which has major performance implications for both how I interact with coworkers, my creativity and how much I can get done. Surely I'm not the only person who experiences this?
- mikeryan 11y ago
  So the co-working Space Wework uses glass dividers for their offices to allow for interior offices with natural light Didn't find great pics but here's a GIS https://www.google.com/search?q=We+Work+Offices&espv=2&biw=1152&bih=1211&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OjmIVeXlKILjoASo06bQDQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1 https://www.google.com/search?q=We+Work+Offices&espv=2&biw=1...
  - mcguire 11y ago
    Mmm, fishbowls.
mpdehaan2 11y ago
I'm not sure the general age demographic here, but just in case people haven't seen cubes :)... We hated cubes because they weren't offices, and Dilbert-style culture was common in companies with them, so they get rid of the cubes and gave us tables, and kept the same cultural problems. This was perhaps the most crazy thing to do. We didn't hate the cubes, we wanted more privacy than the cubes provided.