I have primarily worked in open plan offices and even though a few studies have indicated that they are worse than closed office spaces, honestly sometimes some environments thrive with open planned spaces, others do not.

I am currently in my mid twenties and most people in my age bracket have not really experienced a non open plan office space, it is all they have ever known. I have worked at a couple of corporate companies that were not open plan and I noticed a few things.

People in non open plan offices tend to be more antisocial, this is more of an observation than a proven fact. I worked for a media company and instead of getting up and talking to a colleague in the office, people would just use Skype even if the person was a 10 second walk away. Teams tend to stick to themselves, people only associate with their own teams because non open plan offices do not encourage collaboration or a social aspect.

Having said that, I do find at times open plan offices can be distracting. One place I worked at had plush toys you could grab and put on your desk. If someone had a plush toy sitting on their desk, you knew not to disturb them. They didn't always work though, people who felt as though they had an emergency that required your attention would still annoy you.

Not only that, but the same place also had a quiet space you could go work in, considering everyone had laptops, this was possible. We had beanbags, a dim lit part of the room with gentle lighting so the screens weren't harsh on your eyes and all completely separate and somewhat soundproof from the hustle and bustle of the open office area.

Don't get me started on what happens when someone new starts and people try and find space, I call it the "open office shuffle" you are made to move along to make space for a new colleague, I am not saying that non open offices don't have the same problem, but it is more distracting in an open office environment.

I think regardless of what kind of office setup you have, there are always going to be issues. Most people have only ever known one or the other. If you are used to your space, I can see how an open office could be a problem for you at first, but if you have only ever really experienced open offices, then you are probably aware and desensitised to all of the intricacies and issues with them.

My favourite aspect of an open space as a developer is I feel like I am more social with my work colleagues. I get to speak with people I probably wouldn't speak with usually in a closed office environment. I can openly ask questions and have discussions in person without using Skype or Google Hangouts and when it comes to lunch, usually everyone eats together and pulls people away from their computers forcing them to go and eat, instead of at their desk.

One solution to quell the issue of open office dilemmas could be to have proper solutions in place; breakout rooms for people on a deadline who need to concentrate, company supplied noise cancelling headphones, rule of no eating at your desk (so people are not distracted by your lip smacking, chewing and smell of food), no phone calls at your desk (if you want to make a call, go to a quiet part of the building or outside) and finally if you are sick, stay home and work if you can, otherwise rest.