# Workspace and Productivity: Guidelines for Virtual Reality Workplace Design and Optimization
## 3 Results
### Study 2b
#### 3.3.1 Office Working
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**Office Layout** & **Example Quotes Based on Observations** \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Closed-office layout: physical space} & “Availability of meeting rooms is a pain point. \\  & One of our hacks is to meet in our space and \\  & use the whiteboard wall.” \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{Closed-office layout: collaboration space} & “People use the form of communication that \\  & works best for them. It varies across teams; \\  & some use Skype, others prefer to text or \\  & physically pop by.” \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{Balanced office layout: collaboration space} & “We’re not sure why this space isn’t being used. \\  & It could be that it’s too far to get to from the \\  & other floors or that there’s still a stigma \\  & associated with not being at your desk.” \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Open-office layout: physical space} & “The goal is to create a community vibe and \\  & create a sense of home.” \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{Open-office layout: collaboration space} & “The space was designed to create \\  & ‘neighborhoods’ with a community feel. We \\  & also prioritized having plenty of spaces for \\  & breakouts and collaboration.” \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Intentions of using office layouts for individual and teamwork: sample quotes from executive managers based on observations. team color: artifacts, a gaming setup, chatting, and noise. Whiteboards and post-it notes in closed meeting spaces were the signs of offline collaboration; however, online collaboration was also utilized using the same tools. Spontaneous collaboration happened continuously and ranged from quick meetings to casual corridor chats, spontaneous learning for extended periods of time, and group brainstorming. Teams had their own open huddle spaces near desks and used them for quick meetings, relaxation, and a change in scenery. Cross-department meet-ups occurred in the lunchroom, a company-designated common area, and communal spaces such as micro kitchens and booths had multiple seating configurations and served as collision points. For closed-office layouts, our study identified grounds for both work and social exchanges, such as play areas and wall stickers, and a leaderboard signaled team camaraderie. Learning moments inspired collaboration on the floor, but the focused nature of work resulted in momentary, if not sparse collaborative behavior. Lastly, in balanced office layouts, frequent spontaneous interactions occurred within teams and fostered a sense of community across departments. Implicit norms of transparency and open communication enabled face-to-face talk to flow at desks and open breakout spaces, while virtual communication with other offices and clients happened in meeting rooms with optimal tools and technology for digital collaboration. Employees were often found chatting in corridors and at desks. Breakout spaces within teams were rarely used for social interactions; norms around noise levels and boundaries seemed to exist and, in turn, obstruct prolonged social interactions. Individual Behavior  
The open-desk layout created a sense of transparency, while the size and placement of monitors allowed for individuals to create visual boundaries blocking their line of sight to colleagues; the use of headphones was prominent and used to signal unavailability and focused work. Jackets, stickers, and mugs were sprinkled across desk pods, along with the popular desk plant and occasional plush toys. Expressions of individual identity varied and ranged from personal items to symbols of company affinity. Strong online personas existed, often characterized by memes and inside jokes exchanged on Slack, which was seen as part of team-building culture. When it came to personal matters, the open layout was not always inviting, and some took personal phone calls in other places; here, refuge areas were highly utilized for individual work, taking phone calls, and recharging. Employees' ergonomic preferences manifested personalized work environments.