I worked in a Web agency a few months ago and it was an open-plan office, with many 4-places tables. There was a table for the designers, another for the devs, etc. There is a high staff turnover in this company. I did not realize it until i came accross this article, but the open-plan architecture of the office may be a big reason why i left this company. I was not comfortable with all the noises. Now i work in my apartment and i'm happy with that.