Great post, Bruce. It is interesting that as people are given the option of working in a quiet place (be that at home or a designated quiet work room) where they are reportedly and demonstrably more productive, creative and focused (see for example the research of Gajendran and Harrison in 2007, burningpine.wordpress.com/…/all-gone-home) then the reasons why they will come into a centralised hub will change. They will come for reasons of collaboration and communication which require the more open workspace described.
As you say, a holistic approach is essential and this needs to include looking at communication and management as well as IT and real estate.
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