I pretty much concluded at the end of the article that offices should accomodate both collaborative open-planning and leave-me-to-concentrate cubicles.
You're right that shutting yourself away is impersonal, and I would certainly never want that.
You're right that shutting yourself away is impersonal, and I would certainly never want that.
Yeah, I think the key to understand is that it's 'open-plan ONLY' offices that are the nightmare.
Even in workplaces where everyone has a separate office, if the culture doesn't have a way of saying "this person is busy, don't talk to them" then it doesn't really help.
I worked with a bunch of about 8 other developers in the basement, and it was fine. Some suggested rules:
* Turn off ALL notification sounds. This includes vibrate functions on phones, which still makes a sound when it rattles on the desk.
* No phone calls or conversations at the desk. Take it to the kitchen.
* No talking, screaming, or muttering to yourself. Nobody cares about your problems, they're trying to solve their own.
* If someone has headphones own, they're trying to concentrate. Send them an email saying you want to talk to them.