Two reactions to this thread.
Firstly, building and office layout seem fundamental to enabling learning
and, unless I've missed it, it hasn't been given much serious
consideration in the OL literature - beyond the Steelcase example.
Secondly, like so much OL stuff, there's no one right answer. Rick's
comment...
>I think a building for a learning organizaiton should support human
>contact with as much diversity as possible, consistent with getting the
>job done.
I immediately agreed but then started to think about different learning
styles. A lot of what has been said on this topic seems to make the
assumption that learning is primarily about human interaction. While a lot
of my learning does come in this way, a lot also comes from individual
reading, electronic searching and contemplation.
How often do we meet in an office where people apologise for not being
able to get a private room. Quiet private space seems to be at a premium.
I wonder if we run the risk of designing work places which are all about
community (team / organisational learning) and don't take due account of
individual learning needs.
Paul
Paul Foley
Director
Kynesis - orchestrating organisational change
7 Burnside Road
Glasgow
Scotland
G73 4RF
Tel: (0)141 634 5423
Fax: (0)141 634 5220
email: paul@kynesis.co.uk
web: www.kynesis.co.uk
--Paul Foley <paul@kynesis.co.uk>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>