For many moons, the receptionist in our lobby has sat in a grey-walled cubicle in full view of the front doors. The cube was tacky, but visitors could see and identify her immediately, and she could observe their entrances and exits. Now, however, things have been "improved." The receptionist has a brand new suite of executive-style furniture that's definitely a step up from the cubicle. The walls are 5 feet high and made of wood, or at least faux wood, instead of grey burlap.
But the vast new desk has also been rotated 90 degrees and tucked behind a bend in the hallway. Granted, the receptionist now has a terrific view of the wetland area behind our building, but no one entering through the front doors can see her at first or even second glance. And even if they spot the new desk, they're not going to see the woman behind it; seated, she's well concealed by the 5-foot walls. One of them cleverly cuts off her sight line to the rest of the lobby, too, so she can't see people until they're directly in front of her. Anyone not wearing a clanking suit of armor can sneak right up on her. She's not only very snug in her new bunker, she's isolated.
Or maybe I'm just missing some key point of reception-area feng shui.