Cubism: Stressing abstract structure at the expense of other elements.
I used to be an office dweller; now I'm a "cubist." Three
years ago my company tore down the office walls of all non-managers
and substituted cubicles. We were assured that the new open architecture
would foster creativity, encourage open communication, promote egalitarianism,
and increase productivity.
Open architecture, the experts say, stimulates creativity by forcing
employees to "bump into each other", resulting in a more
productive sharing of ideas. It's true that I've picked up some
good ideas just by walking around and peeking into cubes. After
all, without walls or doors, everyone's business becomes my business,
and vice versa. However, it's easy to get sidetracked into idle
chitchat and a lot of time is wasted. The architecture also sends
a mixed message. The absence of walls says "open up,"
but the uniformity of the cubicles says "conform." There
are regulations that govern the contents and appearance of our cubicles-even
our plants must conform to height requirements.
The experts were right about the open communications. On the plus
side, I no longer need to wait for meetings to keep me informed.
By keeping my ears open, I learn about changes in projects that
affect my work schedule. Yet even in the days of drywall and doorknobs,
good managers kept workers informed, while bad managers didn't.
Isn't it just as easy to retrain bad managers as it is to tear down
good walls?
A serious downside of open communications is the loss of one's
personal life. One involuntarily shares everything with one's neighbors-bad
moods, bad breath, bodily functions, and intimate personal revelations.
When I describe the details of a very private matter to my gynecologist,
I'm simultaneously sharing that information with my coworkers.
Some callous experts suggest that we leave our personal business
at home. They might as well tell us to leave our livers and kidneys
at home. These experts encourage us to make personal calls during
non-business hours or at lunch when there are fewer people to overhear.
Unfortunately, most caregivers and service providers have the same
business hours as we do.
Is the new architecture more egalitarian? I don't think so. Organizational
charts used to hang on walls. Now, with managers in offices and
workers in little boxes, the whole building wears its organizational
chart like an exoskeleton. It's clear who's in charge and who isn't.
After all, managers can close their doors when they talk to their
gynecologists.
Today's flexible architecture speaks to the corporate bottom line.
Following the dictates of the economy, companies can easily restructure
themselves, responding quickly to changing needs by regrouping workers.
Yet something has been lost in the process-our sense of individuality,
respect for privacy, and a recognition of our diverse learning and
working styles. The physical uniformity makes many of us feel replaceable
and vulnerable. And our environmental homogeneity may be stifling
the creativity and risk-taking that have been the hallmarks of American
Progress.
Natalie Zellat Dyen
dyenn@yahoo.com
  
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