Open Space Office Design Is Replacing Cubicles

The cubicle is being replaced by the cost efficient, open-space office design. GlaxoSmithKline is one company that has moved away from individual offices and cubicles, and to an environment where no one has a desk of their own. The concept is called "hoteling." All workers, even top management, are assigned to "neighborhoods"-areas of workers engaged in related tasks-but no one has a permanent desk. Personal belongings are stored in a small lockerMany employees work at computer terminals standing. Everyone is encouraged to float-in the lunchroom, on a sofa in a quiet place, anywhere that chance encounters will spark conversations and collaboration that would not happen when creative minds are stuck at a single desk. At GSK they call it "smart-working." It's also saving the company a lot of money. The new design allowed GSK to fit the same number of employees-1,300 at one facility-into square footage that is a quarter of the size previously occupied.The goal of the open office space is to enhance collaboration and trust, break down hierarchical barriers, reduce emailing and formal meetings and help decisions get made more quickly.I was recently in downtown San Diego and walked by a commercial building near the new library. I looked in and noticed a start up company (I think it was a coffee distribution company) with about four employees, all sitting around one big desk in an open space. Each worker had a laptop, and they were working and conversing with each other when necessary. I said to myself that it seemed so different that the old style office, with individual offices for the executives and cubicles for the workers. With the new style office you are more likely to interact with all level of workers, including the CEO. I never worked in a cubicle, but from what I've been told workers did not like it. They felt "boxed in." I wonder why. They were! The new office design sounds promising both because it will increase creativity and production, and save money on office space. Sounds like a win/win to me.