In this virtual space we have discussed many aspects of the workspace cubicle. From the billionaire who loves working in a cubicle to proper installation procedures and the best way to pay (lease?) for your new designs, we plumbed the depths of this modern miracle of the 20th Century.  

 

And while Cube Solutions’ Cubicle channel has sought out all kinds of experts on the subject – and we recommend you do the same when deciding on your own cube solution – this week we are turning our attention over to a different kind of expert: The Cube Dweller.

 

I recently had the opportunity to explore TMC’s (News - Alert) own interior landscape which is an interesting example of modern architecture that includes row after row of office cubicles.  

And the creatures who occupy these spaces provided some interesting insights about their homes away from home.

 

Below are the results of a somewhat unscientific survey that sheds light on how the American worker thinks about their office space.

 

 
Sure, we would all like to sit in a corner office with a view of the Statue of Liberty — I’ve seen them in the Amex tower of the WFC.  They’re nice, especially those on the mahogany floors… you know, the offices for the Ken Chenaults of the world.  But back to reality.  I’ve had an office — not a corner, though the view was a nice one of “The Avenue” in Greenwich.  It was nice, quiet, and mine.  Before that, I had an interior office, which was still quiet, and still mine.  Since then, I’ve been sitting in my cubicle, which isn’t nearly as spacious, or nearly as quiet.  But, I’ve gotten to know our team much better, and though sometimes we all need peace and quiet, and though sometimes it gets a little noisy, I enjoy being able to talk to others and to ask or answer questions without having to pick up the phone or walk down the hall.  In fact, I’m one of those people who prefer to get up and talk to a colleague instead of picking up the phone or sending an IM (don’t get me wrong, IM is very handy for simple questions).  While I believe in technology, I also am a firm believer that we must continue to interact face to face, otherwise we will slowly lose the ability to do so.  In fact, we’re seeing that in younger people who have never lived without email or without mobile phones.  Many have a hard time speaking face to face.  But my thoughts on the need for interpersonal communications aside, the cubicle is as much my space as my offices were — it’s just a little smaller.  But there are still pictures of my family, my NASCAR calendar, which this month has pictures of Dale Jr.’s old #8 Budweiser car, an overabundance of papers and magazines, a flying screaming monkey from a recent Broadvox (News - Alert) giveaway, and a bucket of candy that invites my friends and colleagues to come visit often.  Would I like to have an office?  Sometimes.  Do I like my cubicle?  Absolutely.

 

Michelle

As a fairly private person my small part of occupied office space is usually un-cluttered, plain and yes… maybe boring. I keep my cubicle space much like I keep my home- clean, tidy and full of sticky note to-do lists. In most cases, if you want to get to know me, you will have to talk to me. Because my cubicle will not reveal anything about me or my life, except that maybe, I am a bit of a neat freak…. Watch out! I might clean your desk while you’re away at lunch….

 

 

While people might complain about cubicle life, for many the secret is we kind of like having our own little world in which to occupy our work days. That’s how it is for me. I enjoy having my own little corner in which to experiment with décor. And I do, varying between pictures I’ve taken (I’m a hobbyist nature photographer) and amusing cartoons from The New Yorker, etc. Photos of my family and a small fish-tank (have you met iFish?) are the constants, sometimes further enhanced by a bit of greenery from outdoors. (Just a reminder that there might possibly be a world outside the cubicle, should I ever care to visit it.)

 

Walk into anyone’s cubicle, and you’ll probably find a similarly eclectic mix of personal artifacts. Forget fast food — true customization to one’s specific tastes is really only possible inside a cubicle.

 

Mike

Cubicles make office workers more productive by giving them a false sense of their own privacy and space. From a sitting position, most cubicles feel like offices: All an employee sees his is a computer monitor, phone, wall calendar and whatever framed photographs he brings in. But then a supervisor walks behind that employee while he’s reviewing a New York Yankees box score or his friends’ status updates on Facebook (News - Alert). The cubicle’s architecture means that employees are nearly always working at a monitor that faces the office aisle behind them. It’s like an arm of Big Brother that keeps you on your toes.

 

Karl

A thought about sound containment:

Cubicles provide a great sound barrier and at he same time provide an open air feeling. Sometimes I think my music is too loud and worry if others next to me can hear it. But, then I stand up and notice the volume is cut in half. As I walk away and go to the next cubicle, I can barely hear a note. It really surprises me how well some cubicles keep noise levels contained within the 6x6 perimeter, and without giving me the feeling of containment, since I can still see all around me. It's the best of both worlds.

 

 

For the past ten years, I have probably spent more time in a cubicle than my own bed.  While that may sound disturbing, there’s a certain comfort involved.  My cubicle is my own domain.  Since I’ve become engaged, my “bachelor pad” has slowly been turned into something unfamiliar and much less mine.  All of the memorabilia and posters that I can no longer keep at home, now surround me in my cubicle.  My cubicle is now my “man cave” and I look forward to sitting in my 40 square feet of carpeted bliss every day.

 

So there you have it. A birdseye view from the seat of their pants. If you’d like to learn more about these modern marvels of business check out the Cubicle Solutions Channel on TMC.