Open plan is for business not for workers. Business like it because it's 'flexible', work can 'flow' around the office, it's 'cheap'.

Workers hate it because there is no space for them. There is no quiet away from coworkers. There is no freedom from the smells of co-workers (coffee, curry, cologne/perfume). When one phone rings everyone's brain momentarily switches from their task to their phone.

When I was 20 I could counter all of these but I was more keen than effective. Now I'm nearly 40 highly trained, highly effective and I can't stand offices like this, it's wasting my time, I just walk away from it.