Open floor plan
In architecture, the open floor plan is a principle of functional room structuring , which treats the entire enclosed volume as a coherent continuum and not as a combination of self-contained sub-spaces or uses.
The term is related to a spatial approach. In contrast to this is the constructive approach to the free floor plan .
features
The rooms are not designed as separate room units that are enclosed on all sides by walls, as in typical single-family houses or apartments, but rather merge into one another or into the outside space. Separations can be accentuated or created by light, lighting, floor coverings, material changes, color changes, furniture or changes in proportions. Modern, highly insulating special glazing opens up new possibilities for opening floor plans both indoors and outdoors. Typical elements in open floor plans are light, non-load-bearing, movable, transparent partitions or room dividers (e.g. shelf systems, partitions, paravents, curtains), as well as counters and boards placed in the room as furniture ( pantry kitchen ).
use
Traditional ideas about living and using lead in general housing construction to an insistence on self-contained spaces. The prejudices against the open floor plan resulting from the habit often do not allow their potential (visual references, communication, synergy effects, generous space volumes) to develop. In residential construction, however, the acoustic and odorous delimitation of different areas of use (e.g. sleeping and cooking areas) is difficult. Thus, open floor plans implemented primarily in representative public, administrative, office and upmarket residential. In addition, museums and exhibition buildings / trade fairs in particular use the advantages of an open and flexible floor plan.