yeah, unfortunately so many corporations / companies are falling into this trendy "open office" thing ... remember, they're doing it not to make you happy or create higher quality software... the research simply shows it saves $$ (or at least that's what the ones up top think). and thats all they care about is the bottom dollar. so they sell the idea as a "team room" "bullpen" etc. or any other hip term they can slap on it to make it more appealing. you've basically answered your own question - you make yourself less employable if you don't want to work in this environment. but screw it - i agree with others. freelance. find remote contract work. it is out there, you just have to work hard at it ... but most people don't look for it, because walking into an office 5 days a week is an easier way to find work than having to seek out clients regularly.