Strictly speaking, large offices are not very energy efficient. In fact, private offices themselves are not energy efficient, since more people can comfortably occupy a partitioned area than one with solid floor to ceiling walls. Fewer overhead lights will get the job done more cheaply and daylighting can be of benefit to a higher proportion of the office staff. Many types of occupations that demand a high level of communication between staff thrive in an open environment, and from the perspective of efficient use of human energy it is also effective. A good example of a situation demanding a high level of interpersonal communication is a hospital.
Nursing staff are among the designer's most demanding clients, in their use of conditioned space.
This enhances efficiency and the ability to perform any given duty quickly and with a minimum of physical movement. Although this perspective is due in large part to the need to operate in emergency circumstances, it is a sensible approach to the effective design of any occupied area. Any businessman knows that minimizing the distance between work stations means more than a smaller office area, lower rent, reduced air conditioning costs and lower maintenance expenses. It means fewer people can get the job done. Furthermore they can get it done faster and better than if they were working in a larger space.