The History of Open Concept is Sexism

Summary

This video explores the evolution of open floor plans, contrasting them with older home designs that prioritized privacy and functionality. The narrator, reflecting on their own home renovation, delves into the historical context behind the rise of open concepts—linked to social, economic, and technological changes. From 19th-century kitchens hidden away from the living areas to mid-20th-century experiments with more open spaces, the video explains how changing family dynamics and household needs reshaped modern home layouts. Despite the appeal of open spaces, the narrator expresses a personal preference for the privacy and creativity found in older, more segmented designs.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Open-concept living is a relatively modern trend, emerging only in the past several decades, and contrasts sharply with the highly segmented homes of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• 🔥 Historically, rooms were separated for practical reasons—especially kitchens, which were hot, smelly, and fire-prone—making isolation the safest and cleanest option.
• 🚪 Older homes prioritized privacy, selective heating, and clear divisions between public and private rooms, often using doors, pocket doors, and threshold-style transitions.
• 📐 By the 1920s–30s, small homes began experimenting with partial openness, introducing larger living/dining areas while still keeping kitchens separated.
• 🏘️ After the 1930s economic collapse, small, affordable, flexible homes became popular, which helped normalize larger multipurpose living spaces.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Post–World War II family growth and social changes accelerated the merging of dining and living spaces, prompted by more casual home entertainment.
• 👩‍🍳 A major driver of the open kitchen/family room combo was the shift away from hired domestic help, placing cooking and childcare on one person—usually women—who needed visibility and connection to the family.
• 🧱 Mid-century homes used creative partial partitions—folding walls, pass-throughs, planters, shelving dividers—to maintain flexibility while still offering some separation.
• 🏡 By the 1980s–90s, partitions disappeared almost entirely, giving rise to the fully open-concept layouts familiar today, though they often sacrificed functionality and privacy.
• 😓 Modern open concept houses can create stress: messes are always visible, smells spread easily, sound carries everywhere, and homeowners feel pressure to keep the entire space clean.
• 🔄 There is a growing trend of people wanting cozier, closed-off, or partially divided rooms again, seeking privacy, noise control, and separation of daily mess from guest spaces.
• 🛠️ The narrator personally prefers separated rooms and is restoring a removed wall, valuing coziness and the ability to close off the kitchen despite modern trends.

Q & A

Why did the open concept floor plan become popular in modern homes?

The open concept floor plan became popular as it adapted to changing social expectations. In the post-WWII era, families were growing larger, and homes needed to accommodate more people and activities. This layout helped blend functional spaces and allowed families to be together, even while cooking, eating, or relaxing in the same room.

What was the historical significance of separating rooms in earlier home designs?

Historically, separating rooms was essential for privacy, heating efficiency, and safety. Kitchens, often full of heat, smoke, and odors, were typically located in separate buildings or far from the living areas. This design also allowed families to maintain a more structured, formal separation between public and private spaces.

What was the role of kitchens in older homes, and how did it impact floor plans?

Kitchens in older homes were often isolated due to safety concerns, such as the risk of fire and the presence of heat and smells from open fires or ovens. As ovens and kitchen technology advanced, kitchens became safer but still remained separate from the rest of the house, often in the back or even in the basement.

How did the 1920s influence home designs, especially in terms of layout and functionality?

In the 1920s, home designs started to experiment with open floor plans, especially in the living and dining areas, as people began moving away from highly segmented spaces. However, the kitchen and dining areas remained separate, reflecting a transition toward more open, yet still distinct, social spaces.

What factors contributed to the shift toward open floor plans in the late 1930s and early 1940s?

The economic recovery after the Great Depression and the need for efficient, affordable homes led to the rise of open floor plans. These designs saved space and allowed for multi-functional rooms. The need for homes to adapt to growing families and the growing social expectation of more casual entertainment also played a significant role.

Why did the 'family room' concept become popular in the 1950s and 1960s?

The family room became popular in the 1950s and 1960s as families wanted more casual, flexible spaces for everyday living. These rooms were often open to the kitchen or living areas and allowed for a more laid-back, multifunctional approach to family life, without the rigid boundaries of formal rooms.

What were some of the challenges and criticisms associated with open floor plans in the 1950s?

In the 1950s, some critics, including designer John Gibbings, argued that open floor plans created emotional discomfort, as sounds traveled through the space, and privacy was compromised. The concept of a 'soda jerk' in the kitchen, where parents were expected to serve food while entertaining guests, was also seen as a downside of this layout.

How did the role of women in the home influence the development of open floor plans in the mid-20th century?

The shift in social expectations, especially the rise of the feminist movement, encouraged women to manage the household without the help of live-in maids. The growing availability of household appliances made it possible for women to take on these roles without being isolated in the kitchen. This social change drove the need for family-oriented, open spaces where all activities could occur together.

How did floor plans change in the 1970s, and what was the focus of this era's designs?

In the 1970s, floor plans became more flexible, with spaces often open but sometimes separated by optional doors or partitions. The focus was on creating multifunctional spaces, accommodating growing families, and managing space more efficiently. Many homes shifted away from formal spaces like dining rooms and leaned into adaptable areas.

What are some of the drawbacks of open floor plans, according to the transcript?

Open floor plans can create challenges like visible messes, unpleasant kitchen smells, and noise echoing throughout the house. The lack of privacy can be burdensome, and while the design allows for socializing, it can also make it difficult to maintain a tidy or organized environment. The trend has led some people to prefer the privacy of separate, closed-off spaces.