"research shows that workers excel when they feel a sense of privacy, free from interruptions. " <<---Yes, this! I always work best alone and I spent my working-in-an-office years in government cubicles where most jobs are a means of earning money and it's important to stay on task. Dull tasks, I might add. I see the benefit of an open floor plan in an office like Etsy, where there is a common mission, working at a place you really believe in, and you are more likely to love your coworkers. I have happily traded in my cubicle, and other than my 2 year old niece poking her head over the edge of the desk when she is over here, saying "what's that? what's that?" and "what are you making with weather (leather)?", work is uninterrupted and conditions are positively blissful.

I'm ready for change. Even in my cube, I'm constantly interrupted. I do not feel that I'm getting anything done most days when I have to repeatedly stop what I'm working on to help someone else. I do like the idea of having the option of sitting or standing. One place I worked offices were designed for the writers so they could do that. I want that! And less meetings!

I dont miss the cube lifestyle!

I'm with gypsiedoodle! Constant interruptions are a huge distraction for me. And I would LOVE to be able to stand up at my desk some. Interesting article!

I have a large workspace. But it isn't the space, it's the solitude that keeps me working in a dungeon of a basement. Interruptions confound me and throw out of whack whatever I was engrossed in. Yet here are times i just need a little something from another human being. Like the article says, a mix. Not too much alone time, not too much in your face time, or idiot salutation time. Moderation in everything.

the library i currently work at uses a variation of the Taylorist design-- very large rooms with each person at a sprawling desk of their own. A few people listen to head phones, but most of them enjoy the open environment. We do have one bad apple who, it seems, would fair better in a cubicle but unfortunately really enjoys bullying everyone in the room . Needless to say I'll be glad to leave my day job behind, and I recommend working for yourself!

Yeah I agree, I tend to think the upside of working in an open plan office from an employers point of view is that it becomes very obvious how much actual work is going on! You always feel like your being overlooked!

I like the cube! I can work intensely and then go visit when i need some creative input!

While I'm not a fan of the cube, I much prefer it to the open concept. One does need a certain amount of privacy! Really I love the quote from this article, that "the office itself is no longer necessary for productivity, claiming that it even goes against our abilities to get things done." I yearn for the day I can quit my day job and work in my home studio full of color and inspirational items!

I like the cube, gotta have my privacy!

personaly i like both me and my husband have 4 kids so space it a bit streched for our house so in the living room behind the couch we boht have a desk it gives us our own space wile still being with the kids....works great for us!

This was a very interesting article I worked in an office for many years in City or State Government agencies. I prefer to work in a private space but not in a cubical. I never worked in a cubicle I don't think that I would have wanted to work in a cubicle when I see people working in cubicles I just can't imagine that.

i kind of wish i had a cube. i share an office (with a lovely coworker) but where we are situated (and apparently because of my personality) our office is the hub of social activity. think it would be rude to put a cubicle inside the office so i can focus? from a financial perspective however, doing away with offices completely and utilizing the fabulous technology available to us might allow more of us to work out of our homes (and save our employers money!) ... sigh!

With the advent of wireless access to the cloud from anywhere, the whole idea of how we get work done needs to catch up. We are no longer tethered to the wall phone, the computer terminal. Now with tablet computers the floor is waiting again for our healthy bodies to rediscover it. I roll off my yoga mat to my laptop, tablet and smartphone everyday and have no need for a desk, much less a cubicle all day.

I work for a non-profit organism and we have a small office for 3. No cubicles. I often feel crowded. I prefer working from home, alone, where I can talk out loud to myself when I need it, for example when I compose a text and want to know how it sounds. I sometimes think that I would prefer cubicles in our work space, but I don't know how I would actually feel in a cubicle office. Seems quite claustophobic... I vote for working from home once or twice a week. It increases MY productivity.

Interesting article!

Interesting.

Idiot Salutation Problem is an epidemic! (Also is HILARIOUS!)

I work in a one room office, and it is sometimes impossible to stay on task. I'm constantly being assigned new work before I've finished the old, and it's tricky to figure out priorities and finish everything in a timely manner without dropping something.

Nice read. I really don't miss my cubicle days! Bye, bye!

“solitude is out of fashion.” ... Ha ha! my work place just became a little less solitudinous by reading those words...albeit only in my own head. :-)

I'm 40 years old, and have never worked in an office until about 6 months ago. I've been working for 25 years. It feels like a slow murder. Please, God of Etsy-ness, release me from my day job.

excellent article!

Great article enjoyed the read of it~ I'm so thankful I've always worked from home and can talk out loud, can ya hear me now? lol. Nice to wear my jammies all day if I choose and go outside or take a walk when ever the mood strikes with the real boss of bacon square farm our doggie. hmm.

Really interesting article - I like the open plan, it is nice to see your coworkers and bounce ideas/info around easily!

Interesting. Funny how no matter what type of layout is in vogue for the ordinary workers the people in charge still maintain their own private office, and one of the perks of being promoted is your own office space. Obviously a private space to work is more desirable, no matter what decade it is.

Congratulations on your article.

Everyone needs their own space, especially when the work requires concentration. It is good to have a "common area" for people to engage and share creative ideas, though it should be instituted in a way that it not be distracting to others. My 2 cents! :)

I agree everyone needs their own space to listen to their radio if they want, make doctors appointments, and other personal business during the work hours.

I've never worked in a cube. I have only ever worked in offices either by myself which was kinda lonely or with another person which I really liked.

I've never had my own cubicle, but have worked in offices where the space was divided up into pods, with 2-5 people who do similar jobs in each area. Personally I liked the commradie, and didn't feel that other people affected my output. I did have one horrible job that required me to be on the phone constantly, and it was an open office. The supervisors would watch us and demand that we get back on the phones. I felt imprisoned.

With so many people working from home these days because of the Internet, the big question for this century may be how workers can carve out their own personal time, separate from work. I answer the phone and emails for work around the clock, seven days a week. But it's a trade-off worth making to be here for my kids. When I worked in an office, I actually liked having a cubicle where I could put up art postcards that galleries mailed to me to promote their exhibits.

I work in a cubicle-ish space at my day job, and I like it! I used to work at an open-seating bar where I would have to sit in a new spot every day, and I really hated that setup. I like having a space that I can make my own, that feels like home, that I can concentrate in, and that if I have to take a personal call, I don't feel like the whole office is listening in.

I flow in and out of working with nonprofits and city government on various consulting gigs in addition to running my etsy shop and it's the balance I really need. After spending the last 4 months running my shop full time, I discovered I need an outside office to function effectively. I have a part-time community organizing job with my city's community development office and will have it through the end of June, and I LOVE my cubicle! Working from home alone is far too isolating for me, but working in an open room full of people makes me want to run for cover. Spending half my time at home running my shop and the other half in my office cubicle or at meetings is the best blend ever. For someone like me who thrives on multiple projects and a fast pace life, cubicles are a blessing - private space within a larger hectic world that can be accessed at any time.

I cant wait to escape the cubicle.

Ha ha! “Idiot salutation problem.” Luckily since I work at home, my salutations come only from my spouse, my pug, and my cats, and I welcome their greetings! Thanks for another fascinating and relevant post that ties in aspects of social history and popular culture.

Although there are days I wish I had my own office again as I really miss being able to close the door on the stupid outside, I am glad to be in my own cubicle. It definitely beats working in the middle of a foyer or hallway or a big room full of other people.

I don't like anything about cubicle living, I question why I have one. Oh to pay the bills. One day I'll walk away and leave it behind. Great Article and post.

Great article and discussion. It's interesting how work spaces have changed so greatly because of social beliefs and changing cultural priorities. I think that the best work space is different for everybody. As much as I love working from home, I do miss the camaraderie of working in an office. Even an open office is ok, if only the boss who paces around and looks over your shoulder all day-every day could be moved elsewhere. ;)

Great article! But not too long ago, I watched a story about how some companies are letting their employees work in the comfort of their own home and they worked more efficient than in the office. I think that is a great idea!

Just quietly... I love my office because it let's me do sneaky personal emails and Etsy perusal. Don't tell though!

I worked in an office once that was nice because we had cubicles, but they were the short kind so you felt like part of a team, but you still had your place. However, the best desk area I ever had was the one that we had our own desks but instead of cubicles we created our own little isles with our stuff. We could still see and communicate with our neighbors, but hide behind our stuff if needed. It also helped if the entry to the area wasn't just next to you in a line, but the pathways were staggered. I felt so along in one of my areas I was actually frightened when the guy I shared a desk edge in common with spoke to me because I didn't realize he was there not being right next to me. It had a creepy fourth wall effect.

great information, when I was in the corporate world, all of it made sence but know I just wonder about it all......

Sometimes working from home all alone can feel like a cubicle. Glad for the allotted time where I get some social escape on twitter, it is the water cooler of my life :)

Great Article! Makes you wonder what's around the corner. Casino style Corporate video monitoring via voice interacting flying robots zooming through office hallways making sure that everyone is at their desk's when they are supposed to be is only a decade away. If you live in China don't be surprised if a flying Pikachu zaps you for NOT clocking in on time!

Awesome article!

I've never worked in a cubicle, but an open workspace where desks are close and people inconsiderate sometimes makes me think a private cubicle would be nice! The office I'm in now, the girls are nice and they know when I tune everyone out and they accept it! Sometimes I just can't listen to the chatter! Great article! I would give anything to be self employed 100% but the bills have to get paid!

I've worked in both cubicle and open layouts and I much prefer the latter. I feel the Taylor design is more conducive to collaboration and exchanging ideas.

worked in cubicles with low walls, so a bit of privacy but still can call out to others. once picked up a phone at a co-worker's desk over the wall, on hanging up could not quite reach the phone base with the receiver, gave just a little toss and it ended up in her coffee cup!

nice article! contained historical senses! i work at a open layout, which i desire for privacy, so boss and co-worker would not stare at your monitor when you are not cautious!! creativity sometimes require solitude and peace. Nervousness screws everything!!

I teach first graders which at first glance may seem unrelated, but I find efficiency in my classroom has a lot in common with the office scenario. We use "privacy folders" on our tables to create private workspace for independent activities such as test taking and independent writing. The folders fold away for more collaboration and problem solving activities where working together is not only preferred, but necessary. I think both designs could benefit workers in most offices as well. Creativity and functionality are two considerations teachers are making daily in their classrooms. And both time and space are fluid factors. Maybe office managers should be taking a few notes from lower elementary classroom teachers!

A cubicle is a jail cell that should never be defended. J/k love the article!

It is interesting to read about how the cubical came into being and why but I would still never want to work in one.

This is a classic dilemma: it all depends on what the company values. If they value efficiency more than teamwork, then an open floor design probably isn't best. I always tell my clients, don't make any rash decisions, but instead ask yourself "What does the company value?" And make your decisions based on the values of the company.

Great article. To cubicle or not to cubicle...that is the question. My response is that it depends on several factors -- your personal working style, who with work with and MOST IMPORTANTLY....who you work for. If you can make your cubicle your own space but have the freedom to socialize, brainstorm with your colleagues, it might not be so bad. If you have some one breathing over your shoulder a cubicle (better yet an office preferably a home office) might be best. But the ultimate solution is to be your own boss!

I couldn't imagine working in an open space. Definitely prefer the small amount of privacy that a cube is able to provide me.

New industries don't necessarily equate to new workforce management practices. If history repeats itself, [ the newly designed offices by Google and Facebook, might look ridiculous in a decade to its aging workforce] is a false presumption because these companies, like those in the US over the past 40 years, favored younger, more aggressive and lower paid workers willing to accept fewer benefits, and there won't be any aging workforce, cubes or not, IMHO.

I love the quiet peaceful space of my studio, no cubicles, no interuptions, just creative bliss!

This was a very thoughtful article. I like how cubicles used to be called "Action offices". Pretty interesting how paradigm shifts and cultural norms change, and as a result, change the connotations and names given to what used to be "innovative". Taylor was an interesting person in history, he was not only influential in offices, but also in school structures.

Love my studio....my creative space. No “idiot salutation problem" here.

MIxed reviews, what I've noticed at work are the offices with cubicles project an austere environment, staff seem to be repressed, overly quiet in sun-drenched corner suites whereas the open spaces project an energy and youthful exuberance, even when located in a dark basement with the majority of staff over 50 ... i think it's a combination of all three space, furnishings, staff, every company, department, team is different and will stumble on what works best for them

I like that I can shut the door.

I don't miss my office job and love open spaces, but I definitely need my privacy when I'm creating

The last place I worked had a setup with 4 people in a larger cubicle area. Because we were consultants, there was an ever changing cast of characters. With the right group of people you can have a real lot of fun and still get the job done. On the other hand, you might get somebody who eats stinky food at their desk, makes loud personal phone calls and will not stop talking about crap you don't want to know.

I work in an office during the day and I personally love my little spot, because it is just that, my spot! Within reason, I can decorate it to suite me and I personally work better (and sometimes faster) alone since I can concentrate better. (Depending on the project of course.) At home though....I love the open space! A very interesting article! Thank you for posting!

I am not sure I want to defend my cubicle... anyone wants one? it's yours :-D

It is important to me to be able to define my own workspace, as I do here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83147526/wrap-your-laptop-hug-your-hardware

"The problem is that the newfound love for the groupthink model in offices goes against many studies: research shows that workers excel when they feel a sense of privacy, free from interruptions." You must cite which studies you are referring to, otherwise the article holds no viable ground for the point you wish to make. On that same note, it was a good read, and I noticed you cited the New York Time's article as well as the whole idea in Taylorism.

I work in a virtual office for 2 years now! What a change - I don't miss the cubicle - neither like it - it was a prison and my former boss always wanted to be stuck in it! My actual boss is a visionary - seven years with a virtual office - delivering services to our clients - in our own environment...free of idiot salutation problem - but also need more responsibility - is not my personal shop - is a honor code...

Excellent article and discussion! Thank you! I work from home, and I love my home office! It's portable, between the iPhone, iPad and laptop, and I often work from my couch, floor or bed. Been doing that for over two years now and it's as perfect as any system can get. It does require self-discipline, of course, and sometimes other people don't really understand that I'm at work, just as if I went to an office every day- just a little more flexible. Definitely more focused on my own, but sometimes I like having the hum of other people around, so I go out for breakfast or lunch. I'm always in communication with my team, so we can bounce ideas off each other, but we all work separately, except for meetings a couple times a week. Of course, the success of this is so very dependent on the size of the group, honesty, and so many other factors! Having worked in quite a few different environments, I really appreciate the up side of this!

I second the notion that working from home by yourself can sometimes feel like a cubicle too! When my boyfriend comes home from work I just want to get out of the house, because I've been so isolated.

I believe the second photo isn't just any open-plan office. It looks like S.C.Johnson, in Racine, Wisconsin. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was WAY ahead of its time!

I'm with shshhshop working from home can feel VERY much like a cubicle. It sometimes feels like the walls are closing In on you. I always tell myself I will get out of the house later In the day but seems i never do.

I love working at home!!! I can't imagine working in either a cubicle or an open office space with others. All I know is, when I walked through a very large floor filled with cubicles for the first time, I was shocked. A sea of cubicles, the inner ones at least 50 feet from the nearest window, all crammed in there... I knew right then I could never work like that! And I have to be able to concentrate without everyone else interrupting or distracting me.

Cubes are so....living in a box. I can't wait til it is a memory...a distant one!

I think we need our own space as well as the freedom to communicate with others and move around freely. When I am teaching jewellery making, I sit at everybodys table but keep my stuff in one corner. When I am making jewellery, I like to be with others in the living room. When I am listing etc. on the computer, I like to be in a room on my own out of the way. At work with the Social Services I am together with my colleagues and several clients in the same room. Therefore I need to get out and be on my own when I have my brake.

I write for a living. When I'm in the office, I sit in a cubicle and wear headphones all day to block out the noise, so a one-size-fits-all notion about what makes people productive is silly and reductive. Also, the idea that an open workspace naturally leads to collaboration is nonsense. Collaboration occurs when the work environment encourages and makes time for it. Besides, saying that an open office floor plan encourages collaboration is just a euphemism for "we want to cut costs, so we're no longer going to spend money on cubicles."

People learn in different ways, consequently work best in different situations. My opinion----things should be personalized so the individual can work in his/her preferred method be it at the "office" or at the home office.

The challenges of maintaining personal space from home office/photo studio/studio warehouse continue to confound and challenge me. There is light, there is space, there is comfort but it is laid out on 3 floors. I've considered installing a dumb waiter through the laundry shute! I never feel isolated because of my wonderful vintage teams.

I agree with what youre saying about privacy and all but my cubicle is like a dungeon for me. It is so horrible I've actually decided to enter it in this quirky competition at www.contestfactory.com/pmc , its called "Pimp My Cube". The videos on there are depressing. So unless businesses offer suitable cubicles its hard for me to completely agree with you.

So grateful that i am working my own small studio. I can go back into the house for conversation or a cup of tea- a good balance for now. All it takes is a plane ride in coach and I am grateful for a little personal space and solitude to think and create. Not everyone has that luxury. Let's hope that creativity will find a way in this cubicle world.