The Soho model doesn't apply. All those artists, writers and musicians elected to be in a work-home environment. But when Merrill Lynch sends 600 people home to work, that's not considered elective. Those who have been part of this movement as participants and observers are not impressed with the early results. It's just not a good idea to be too far away from Court.
Workers feel out of the loop, overlooked for promotion and marginal at best.
Managers of home workers find it difficult to maintain morale and have seen a decline in effectiveness and quality of work. This state of affairs presents an extraordinary opportunity for the design community. Currently, it's a strategy that makes sociological sense. It has not, however, reached its potential. To begin with, we must take an inventory of our housing stock.