[fibonachos]

It definitely sounds like they had staffing or policy issues. I work from a space similar to how you described DeskHub, including a few small teams in the common area. The noise policy in the common area is very clear and allows for relatively quiet talking among groups and brief phone calls. Longer calls or formal meetings should take place in a phone booth or conference room. The staff does a great job of reining things in if it gets too loud, and the conference rooms have to be scheduled and require a staff member to let you in. It's definitely a less casual space, but I feel like they have struck a nice balance between casual and professional.

[mbrameld]

You're right, that's the policy there, it's just not enforced.

Conference rooms there do have to be scheduled, but there are no locks on the doors or anything. I was 15 minutes into a 30 minute block once and some guy just opened the door and walked in. There are windows on the doors, he just didn't look. Then he looked surprised when he realized I was there. I put my meeting on hold and he told me he had the room at 2pm. I said something like, "I have it until 2, right?" He said he didn't know, turned around and walked out.