I work in a largely open space environment, and it's fine. The thing that makes it fine is that our desks are on wheels, and we are free to relocate to any part

I work in a largely open space environment, and it's fine. The thing that makes it fine is that our desks are on wheels, and we are free to relocate to any part of the company that we like, no permission needed. (Well, the other big components are (1) a fair amount of uncommitted or otherwise fluid space to move around in, and (2) a large degree of freedom and self-determination). Want to make a team? Find a room, move your desks in there and ->poof<- you have a team. Need to sit nearer the two people you're working closely with this week? Just move your desks together for a while, while staying in the same room as the project. Need your own office for a month or two? You can probably find one, or at least find an out-of-the-way corner that is quiet. I've worked in open-plan spaces where you had assigned seating, and it was fucking miserable. An open plan combined with autonomy and trust works pretty well.