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We’ve all seen Dilbert, the comic strip that hits uncomfortably close to home when it comes to highlighting the pitfalls of life in the corporate world. Even Robert Propst, the designer attributed with having invented the “cube”, seemed to regret how his original intent was translated into the workplace.

Propst’s regrets, the general reservations of employees, and even the critiques of a comic strip are well justified. "Look at some of the 'cube farms' people get stuck working in and it's no wonder people hate the idea of the open plan," says Vanessa Bradley, a consultant at Steelcase who helps companies plan their workplaces. "People worry they'll end up in a sea of uninspiring cubicles designed by committee. But it's not that hard to create a cool and productive workplace." In place of the cube are flexible open plan environments built with new products, smart applications, and the insights of experienced designers and planners to help point the way.

Hearst Corporation, the company behind publications like Esquire and Marie Claire, recently transitioned 1,676 of its employees into an open plan when they opened their new corporate headquarters in New York City. But before the building opened, Hearst employees had a long list of concerns: how could they be productive in an open environment? what about noise? confidentiality? distractions? In other words, they had the same concerns as any other group faced with the prospect of working in the open plan.