Hot desking and open concept design

The new vogue in office design revolves around a concept variously known as hot desking, hotel concept, activity-based working, workplace mobility, free-address approach and open concept design.  At Siemens it is referred to as New WOW (New Way of Working).  I have talked about this in an earlier post.

http://www.veldhoen.nl/data/fotos/alg/id1059/x72y0w751h367cw1076ch526_ft1059.jpg

The Whirlpool Industry forum has an extended discussion of the things needed to consider with a less structured work environment where offices may be shared. 

Potential positive benefits:

1. It will encourage employees to arrive earlier to pick the prime spots
2. It may encourage more communication with co-worker's because there is more shared space.
3. It can allow companies to devote less square footage for office space often designing for less than 100% capacity when people spend 80% time in the field. Siemen's is at 77% of full capacity.
4. It allows people to work in groups, alone or just dock a computer. There is a focus on we rather than me.
5. Personal items are stored in a locker. In some cases more than one locker is needed for a person
6. Works well for a 24 hour call center.
7. It will work well for consultants hired by the company to do a short term project.
8. There is a lower capital cost for new construction and furniture.  Energy savings are possible because there is a smaller footprint to maintain and condition the air.

Potential problem areas:

1. Hygiene:  The desks need to be kept clean - beverage spills, food crumbs, sharing viruses.
2. Chairs: Often these are specific to the person (tall vs short) and adjusted to fit them.  Changing the chair adjustment will cause issues.
3. People can be territorial and will often gravitate towards the same spot.  They may be upset if someone is in their "cube'.
4. Work surfaces: People are of different heights and shapes and need the work surfaces to fit them. The surfaces need to be adjustable. 
5. The space works best when laptops are used. The ergonomics of exclusive laptop use are not good for extended times. The screen is too low. Often an auxiliary mouse or keyboard is needed. Dual screen monitors are becoming the norm and serving as virtual document holders.  Docking stations would probably be needed if computer time is more than 2 hours per day.
6. People like to personalize their offices with family photos and other items.  This is not possible in a shared space.
7. Audio privacy is a concern when HIPAA or other confidential information is discussed over the phone or needs to be filtered on the screen. 
8. Meeting areas need to be separated from a wall from the hot desk areas as it it difficult to concentrate adjacent to a  meeting area.
9. Employees may feel that they are an interchangeable cog in the machine as people in more important positions will not  have to hot desk.
10. It can be difficult for an introvert to work in this environment.
11. Hot desk environments can be cliquey.
12. The hot desk environment may not be the most productive.  Peopleware authors DeMarco and Lister noted that people are most productive when they have a proper office with a door.  They are able to reduce distractions and concentrate on work.

I am very interested in other people's opinions about this topic as there is considerable pressure to move towards this model.  I think it can work in some applications and it may be very problematic in others.  The U of Minnesota is considering it as an option for the Eddy Hall remodeling project.