Remote work is more productive. It’s great for the “leave me alone, I’m in the zone” type of work. That kind of work is not enough to make successful things.
The office forces people to be near each other which creates an environment which enables organic sharing of ideas, frictionless communication, insights, and a-ha moments to happen through physical closeness and serendipity.
Production of work can happen remotely. Sublimation of work (progress) requires people to come together physically. To be within an earshot of each other. To just be together. We think differently when we're together vs. when we're alone. We learn differently.
We're better together.
This is my humble opinion, and I’m aware that it’s not the same for every company, not to mention every type of work out there.