Which is why the less dynamic an organization you work in, the harder it is to comprehend the importance of ad hoc realtime collaboration. It trades a hit on personal focus for a big uptick in collab and team productivity.
To get a sense of where the OP is coming from, here's what he wrote recently on remote work:
"Some of the most blissfully productive days I’ve had are when my whole team is working remote because a winter storm has left us snowbound. There’s nothing quite like the glorious zone of productivity sans soul-crushing interruptions."
Cornell did a study awhile back that found that when you have a private office, the standard for "frequent" team interaction goes down. Way down. From several times a day ad hoc (open plan) to a couple times a week in scheduled meetings.
This is an either-or way of looking at it. There are other options. Consider Valve; the most wildly profitable game company that exists: Their strategy is to allow people to move their desks around however they wish, anytime they want.
Want to have some time along? Move your desk away from the herd and grind away. Need to handle a sudden need that requires lots of team interactivity? Arrange your desks in a small circle for maximum interaction.
The problem with companies in general is that they are run by management who have been trained that fixed structure is the most effective way to get things done. Structures are good; but they don't have to be fixed. There are pluses and minuses to every single methodology.
To get a sense of where the OP is coming from, here's what he wrote recently on remote work:
"Some of the most blissfully productive days I’ve had are when my whole team is working remote because a winter storm has left us snowbound. There’s nothing quite like the glorious zone of productivity sans soul-crushing interruptions."
Cornell did a study awhile back that found that when you have a private office, the standard for "frequent" team interaction goes down. Way down. From several times a day ad hoc (open plan) to a couple times a week in scheduled meetings.