From what I can gather the basic dimensions of the R16 along with its "look" were determined in advance of Mike being given the job of fitting in what features would physically fit in the available space. So no 100mm faders for example.
With the R24 those constraints aren't there in the same way - and as has been said I think it would be a very smart move to distinguish the "R" series from the rest of the ZED series with a different look.
As Mike has said the lack of word clock on the R16 was not deliberate - I contacted A&H support to ask if it was possible to have word clock added to an existing unit as a factory "upgrade" and they replied to say they would look into whether it was possible - the problem being limited internal space.
So again with a larger format desk it seems many of the features people are asking for would be included: its not as if A&H haven't been doing this for a while
Personally speaking many of the features people are asking for don't interest me - I've managed perfectly well with my Alphatrack as a "control surface" and since I'll be using the R16 with reference to what I'm seeing in my DAW I don't see the problem. Motorised 100mm fader, solo, etc . . .
As for working independently of a DAW and the visual in general - well I have these amazingly effective fine membrane optical input shut off devices in front of each eyeball. I find they work a treat!