The Presence of Others: Privacy and Openness in Architectural Design
At its core, architectural design is often about arranging private and shared spaces and providing a framework for how people move between them. Imagine a home where your family walks through your bedroom to reach the bathroom, or you have to pass through your parents’ room to get to the kitchen. Such a layout would likely feel absurd today, but it wasn’t always considered problematic. This shift—from accepted to problematic—shows how architecture mirrors the social values of its time and invites us to reconsider what we take for granted. Experiments with new layouts, like open offices or co-living spaces, also reflect architectural determinist aspirations—the hope that the built environment can influence human behavior.
Corridors at the Rise of Individualism
For centuries, homes lacked corridors entirely. Rooms were connected directly, and movement through them was natural and unremarkable. Privacy wasn’t a priority; spaces were inherently communal. Robin Evans, in Figures, Doors and Passages (1978), illustrates how corridors arose as society began to value individuality and boundaries. Corridors separated movement from living areas, turning rooms into personal sanctuaries. This shift didn’t just change floor plans; it transformed how people interacted within their own homes, signaling a cultural shift toward intentional, rather than incidental, interactions.
Open Plans and Evolving Needs
Today, open-plan offices evoke some of those earlier, interconnected designs, encouraging collaboration and serendipitous encounters. Yet they also reveal familiar tensions. Without walls, distractions abound, and the lack of privacy can be overwhelming. For some, these environments spark creativity and energy; for others, they create stress and fatigue. This ongoing negotiation between openness and privacy mirrors the evolution of architecture’s role in mediating presence.
Co-living spaces, with shared kitchens and lounges, similarly embrace communal living while offering a counterpoint to the growing popularity of remote work, which reflects a desire for solitude and autonomy. These contrasting trends underscore the diversity of human needs and preferences, highlighting how design must adapt to evolving ways of living and working. As office attendance becomes less frequent, the demand for flexible, thoughtful layouts will only grow.
Design for Diversity
It is important to remember there will always be people who fall outside the norm. Neurodiverse individuals or those with specific needs may find open or communal designs overwhelming. Designing for diversity isn’t just an accommodation; it’s an opportunity to create spaces that are adaptable, inclusive, and reflective of the broad spectrum of human experiences. By valuing both individuality and connection, architecture can remain a medium for thoughtful, humane design—a space where everyone can feel at ease.