Open Plan Living in Modern Homes | Candela Architecture
Open plan living has become a defining feature of many modern homes, shaping the way people cook, relax, and spend time together. While it often feels like a contemporary idea, the concept of shared, interconnected living spaces has a long history.
Early Origins
The roots of open living can be traced back to ancient Roman and Greek homes, where communal spaces and central courtyards encouraged social interaction and connection with the outdoors. These early layouts prioritised shared living rather than strictly separated rooms.
A Shift Toward Separate Rooms
During the Middle Ages and into the Victorian period, homes became far more compartmentalised. Rooms were designed for specific functions, and larger homes often separated service areas from the main household spaces. Privacy and hierarchy shaped how homes were organised.
Candela Architecture designs new homes, renovations, and residential developments throughout Central Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Southland.
The Return of Open Living
In the early twentieth century, architects began rethinking these rigid layouts. Designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright explored homes with flowing interior spaces and stronger connections between the building and the surrounding landscape. Mid-century modern architects, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, continued this shift by emphasising simplicity, natural light, and open interior layouts. In New Zealand, practices such as Group Architects helped bring open plan living into local homes. Moving the kitchen into the living space was initially controversial, but it eventually reshaped how homes functioned by making cooking and entertaining more social.
What About Today?
Many people ask whether open plan living is still the best layout for modern homes. While large, connected spaces remain popular, many homes today combine open living areas with smaller retreat spaces or flexible rooms that can be closed off when needed. This balance allows homes to feel open and social while still providing privacy and quieter areas for work, relaxation, or family life.
Many homes across Central Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, and Alexandra are designed to take advantage of strong natural light and views. Open plan living often works particularly well in these environments, allowing living spaces to connect with outdoor areas while capturing sunlight throughout the day. Thoughtful orientation and layout planning help ensure homes feel comfortable year-round, even in climates with strong seasonal changes.
Designing Homes That Work for Everyday Life
The goal of good residential design is not simply removing walls. Thoughtful planning considers how people move through spaces, how natural light enters the home, and how rooms relate to each other throughout the day.
At Candela Architecture, we work closely with clients to shape layouts that reflect how they want to live. Whether that means open plan living or more defined spaces, the aim is always to create homes that feel comfortable, practical, and connected to their surroundings.
Candela Architecture designs new homes, renovations, and residential developments throughout Central Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra, and Southland.
