The Core

https://youtu.be/-p6WWRarjNs

Currently in one with shite music playing :-)

The problems with closed offices is the cost of construction and the increased dedicated dead space (hallways, access, etc.). Lighting, HVAC, and shite music are much cheaper to just broadcast across the playing field.

Most of our office here is pretty standard cubicles. Not too bad. But one department here needed more employees than we had space for so they put in some big, long tables with about a 1 foot divider down the middle. Our building manager said they could fit something like 30-40% more people in the same space and these set ups are much cheaper than cubicles. They said they won't be doing this for any of the rest of the office and I hope they stick to that. I would hate those open offices. I am pretty sure most of our San Mateo office is more open.

cost of construction

Not exactly related, but I have seen a study on the impact of creating office spaces with natural lighting and windows and the conclusion was that the payback for construction costs in worker productivity/retention/etc was under two years (I think one study found it was under one year).