User blog comment:Phylarion/Elevators/@comment-2220462-20110123213632

possible compromise between banter lovers and elevator haters: ME3's normandy has a ship lounge area, where squadmates periodically go to relax and strike up conversation, which can be triggered by Shepherd walking within say 10 feet of the paired squadmates.

Admitidly not as organic as the ME1 elevators, but would still allow for intersquad communications that aren't forced by the overarching campaign.