Avoiding the Cube Farm - Effective Floor Plans?

scorp1us writes: My company after cramming 30 people into 3000sq feet, has a new lease on life in a 7700sq foot office (Pun blatantly intended!). We are primarily a 3D animation/software company and we hope to avoid the cube farm design. But with a large open area in the middle, it is the default solution. We would like to know what effective strategies are used at other places that avoid the cube farm, and produce an inspiring, motivating work environment. This location has a split level and 12' ceilings, so it has a lot of potential.