The greatest drawback of working at home is isolation. Conversely, interaction in a convivial setting leads to community. Any designer of live/work space who doesn't understand and make use of this insight is missing a tremendous opportunity. The nature of the common spaces along the entry path can make the difference between an alienating structure and a fully functioning community. The period between the moment one enters the complex and the time one enters one's unit is the time when the greatest opportunities for interaction arise. In a well designed project, residents cross paths as they come and go, and opportunities to socialize arise. The architect's challenge is to shape common spaces along that entry path that encourage casual interaction: places where it is comfortable to greet and neighbor, pause to chat or simply move on. Additionally, designing the common spaces with the units' entries opening onto them further increases the chances of casual meeting.
