Effective use of office space does not mean cramming the greatest number of people into the smallest amount of space. What it does mean is looking at how people are arranged in a space. In addition, placing noisy devices such as printers, copiers, coffee makers, and faxes in either high traffic areas or in enclosed rooms can help to reduce the amount of distractions. Noise is probably one of the biggest concerns amongst newly acclimated employees. This has been so highly regarded that entire industries have adopted a variety of devices and materials to overcome this distraction.
Employees can also wear headphones to create a greater means of concentration.
Building materials such as acoustically sensitive ceiling panels can also be considered. Finally, evaluating how well employees can concentrate in their environment involves determining their natural screening tendencies. Lastly, and probably the least considered, is the work habit of the employees. Sales and marketing may be better off utilizing low panel height workstations without white noise, whereas, programmers may be better off with high paneled 'U' shaped stations to create a greater feeling of privacy. When considering office space, it's best to first identify your goals.