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Comment by OldManRyan | Hacker News Reader

What is a good alternative to open offices that make efficient use of space? Creating private offices for everyone seems like it would use quite a bit more square footage.

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There's cube farms, but people hated those (before they realized open offices were worse). But seriously, cubes do give a degree of privacy and reduce unnecessary distractions, if not as well as a private office.

On the cost of a programmer salary the extra cost is not that great though.

I made no mention of cost. There is not enough square footage in my office to make a private office that doesn't feel like a sardine can for everyone.

If only there was some way of acquiring more office space... oh well, too bad! /s

This isn't The Sims. You can't always purchase the exact amount of square footage you need where you need it. Opening a second office or moving offices is not a casual endeavor.

So you consider it from the start when building/renting a (new) office.

Being in a suboptimal situation is no excuse for not getting out of it.

Of course, whoever control the office space probably thinks least space per developer is optimal.

You aren't going to make any meaningful change with that mindset because as far as many in the industry as concerned open offices are good enough. The lift from going from open office to 100% private offices is likely too much to move from a good enough.

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