I work in a cubicle with some "windows" in the cubicle walls. It's enough privacy and enough light because of the "windows". I would hate to work in an open office such as you describe. I would not be able to concentrate. I can shut out the sound of people talking, but the idea of being constantly on display, or very visible would be unnerving. Also, holding ad hoc meetings on dev issues ususally involved looking at something on someone's dev box. That would not be available in those little conference rooms. If all the dev environment was thin client it would work OK I guess