Balin Brandt asked Susan Cain:

Love the book and the insights. I work for a design studio. We have an open plan office. I find it hard to work there due to the noise and distractions. I'd like to advocate for a more varied layout that allows for everyone's work style. But I am hitting a lot of resistance from folks who think open plan is better and the only way to go. Any suggestions?

Susan Cain Take a look at Chapter 4 of Quiet — there’s a ton of research in there (and in the related endnotes) proving that radically open office plans threaten productivity, focus, and creativity. In fact, the critique of open office plans has now gone mainstream. I just attended a conference hosted by Gensler, the powerhouse architecture and design firm, and the CEO began by declaring that we are in the era of “The New Individualism.” The pendulum is indeed swinging back to a more balanced design, where people can move freely between private and social spaces. (In fact, I helped Steelcase create “Quiet Spaces” that any company can add to their open office plans. See, e.g., http://www.metropolismag.com/June-201...) Best of luck and let me know if you get any traction!

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