“As the name suggests, an open-plan house flows from space to space with minimal barriers between the living areas or no barriers at all…[previously] public and private spaces in houses were divided up and closed off…With central heating from steam radiators, rooms were no longer dependent on fireplaces for warmth. Steel…increased builders’ ability to span open space. Concrete block made it easier to build unconventional load-bearing walls…By the turn of the 20th century, residential lots were smaller and house plans had to make more economical use of space. The open plan was the right choice for turning a tight floor plan into a well-zoned interior that adjusted to a family’s needs.”
What "When Harry Met Sally" Owes To "The Odd Couple"
Genius.