bks@alfa.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) (08/11/89)
As the office/cubicle discussions just won't die, let me get in one
lash at the dead horse:
Reprinted without permission from the _San_Francisco_Chronicle_ 8/10/89 p.C3
NEXT MOVE
Can Steve Jobs revolutionize the high-tech workspace? He seems to
be trying at the Redwood City headquarters that Next Inc. will
move into late next week.
Instead of sterile "open office" partitions, the computer company
has come up with a way to five employees greater privacy, along
with light and a view of the harbor. Workers will get offices
with a noise cutting wooden door and glass walls --opaque for the
bottom 48 inches and clear above that, according to Next Vice
President Dan'l [sic] Lewin.
A counter point to the privacy-enhancing workstations is a series
of open spaces that encourages workers to congregate. An unusual
hardwood-floor corrisor connecting two adjoing buildings is the
focal point for "public" rooms, including restrooms, conference
rooms and eating space. A cafe with an expresso bar helps
complete the piazza effect.
"Forcing people to gather is an important concept for Steve,"
said Thomas Carlisle, Next's facilities designer.
-----
Brad Sherman <bks@alfa.berkeley.edu>
"Under communism, man enslaves his fellow man. Under capitalism
the situation is reversed." --Someone, somewhere in _New_Scientist_.