When I started my first professional software development job in 1991, I got my very own, fairly large, office. I kept the door closed most of the time, and was very productive. This (having one's own office) continued in my career with various companies until I started my own software company in 1998, where I have continued the trend.<p>My point being that it <i>was</i> the norm for a long time to provide software developers their own office. I'm not sure when or why this stopped occurring, but it needs to be reversed for one simple reason: good, young, software developers don't become HPEs without first being given the environment in which to develop the concentration and skills necessary to do so.
The open office concept is wonderful and helps with collaboration and creativity.<p>You can get together real quick get'r done right there!<p>/s