As homes have gotten larger, it seems that everyone has separate space - great for privacy, but not good at all for family togetherness. The Wall Street Journal had an article about supersized home offices where everyone in the family: mom, dad and the children, have their own work space and storage space. Their space featured adjustable height desks and chairs, so that the space grew with the family. Actually, a recent survey from the American Institute of Architects determined that the most popular special function room was this family shared office.
I think it's great for togetherness, for keeping an eye on what the kids are doing. When someone brings work home - office work or school homework - we don't have to be off by ourselves, we can be together. As long as it's individual work, this probably works out fine. If you needed to talk with a client, however, it's probably anything but all right. It allows everyone to share discoveries they make on line, ask questions, offer answers.
For me, it would be fine when I'm roving the web, reading email or blogs - but I'd need space away for those times I need to concentrate, as well as for talking with clients. Let's just have it all - both together space and private space.
