Open office, and open laboratory etc. plans are an absolutely stupid idea propagated by hierarchical morons who all have private offices.
There was an experiment in schools in early 80s of open classrooms, where three or four classes were going on in sight and hearing of others.... not good!
You got that right. During a temporary location shuffle my group was consigned to an open office space. Without the sound dampening of cubicle walls phone conversations carried all over the floor.
What made it worse was the guy with no self control. He was a brilliant techie, but while on the phone he would often lose control and start shouting and pound his fists on the table. I think he woke someone up in the next county one day.
But at least all the managers got to keep their offices. :-)