Why does it have to be either or? Why not provide a variety of different work environments, encourage employees to find the one that best suits them, and work there? I think back to my days at the University. Sometimes a louder, open space was great so I'd head to the student union or the group floor of the library. Or maybe I needed some isolated quiet time, find a private room in the library so I could think. I've worked in places that had only open spaces, and it was very difficult to find any quiet, more private rooms. There are times that I like a more open environment, and I get work done there, but when there are no quiet places I can retreat to when I need it, then it can become very frustrating to get any work done. And no, don't tell me you provide me headphones to 'block out' the noise. Sometimes its quiet I want, not louder noises to block out the existing noises (not to mention the fact that it doesn't block out visual stimulation which can be equally distracting).
Thank you for writing that. It seems much this discussion is very black-or-white.
I work in an office with four desks, though typically only three are occupied. It's a nice mixture between not being alone, and not being too loud either.
In vacation time, when I'm the only one around, I do tend to feel a bit lonely after two days or so, even though I still do breaks, take lunch with other co-workers and so on.
