Lilia writes about our new office building to where we moved during Christmas holidays. It is nice to read how she observes differences between the two buildings and how this affects social visibility.
I agree that our part of the building (the "old" part) is like she says: "Social spaces between offices are bigger, more colorful and architecturally it's more fun to walk around..", but need to add that is only for our part. The "new" part is not so colourful or with big social places (no real coffee corner). I think we are lucky to be in this part: it is the best part.
I also agree that it is less easy to see who is there for coffee or talk. Now for me it is clear when I hear voices that some people are at the coffee corner, but that's because my office is close to the cc. (The same reasons why the aibo dogs drove me crazy - but I have to admit that those toys attract people from all floors).
Another observation, not mentioned by Lilia (well, she may not have noticed yet, since she is half sleepy with jetlag and not walking around for so long here), is that we now get a division between "old" part of the building and "new" part. I found that I hardly see my colleagues in the new part any longer! The only (obvious) reason to walk to the new part is the post boxes, but since I don't get that much of post, I limit my visits to a minimum.
How a building influences my contacts.. Hmm... I think I should go for a walk and see my colleagues on the other side of the building..