The not-so-open open plan – A feminist critique of the typical Danish interior

Abstract

The spatial planning of present-day housing in Denmark is formed by social conventions and market forces that predominantly rely on objective values. Developed from previous housing models, Danish multi-story housing, and its typical interior, today has left behind true diversity, use-value, bodily pleasures, and a broader notion of openness. By analyzing a typical Danish case this study discusses how today’s concept of open plan living is in fact not-so-open. It argues that marketized housing and its open plan interior logic, displayed in repetitive and optimized floorplans, for stereotypical users, is no longer appropriate in contemporary society. To support the development of a more nuanced architectural logic for interiors today, the paper interrogates the concept of domesticity and spatial practice from a feminist perspective, and review in what ways the growing body of knowledge produced by feminist thinkers can challenge conventions in housing design cultures. By employing a feminist perspective and highlighting prosperous aspects in specific contemporary design practices in Zürich and London, this paper aims to highlight what agencies architects and users can reclaim to improve the typical Danish interior beyond the so-called open plan.

KEYWORDS:

• Danish housing
• domestic interior
• open plan
• feminist critique
• housing design guides

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For example, for those celebrating the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

2 The London Housing Design Guide is not part of UK planning policy but is aimed at complementing planning documents. However, it is in many cases used in public projects but equally followed by private developers to support planning approval processes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mette Johanne Hübschmann

Mette Johanne Hübschmann, is an architect and Ph.D. fellow at the Royal Danish Academy, Institute of Architecture and Design. She obtained her master’s degree in Architecture in 2013 after having studied at The Royal Danish Academy and at the EPFL Lausanne. She has taught in architecture schools in London and Copenhagen since 2016 and since 2012 worked in prolific design offices in Berlin, London, and Copenhagen. Drawing on her background as a practicing architect, working on housing projects in London and Copenhagen, her research reflects on the genealogy of domestic space. Aiming to qualify contemporary Danish housing and its interiors, she addresses the gap between market-driven housing production and diverse human experiences in ordinary but enjoyable everyday life. Email: [email protected]

Masashi Kajita

Masashi Kajita, Ph.D., Architect MAA is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Design, the Royal Danish Academy. He is a co-founder of Bureaus, a platform for spatial research, design, and strategies. Aiming to promote the realization of an inclusive built environment and the architecture of enjoyment, his research focuses on three main strands: body, material, space in architecture. He was formerly a senior lecturer in architecture at University of East London, a researcher at Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, and Visiting Scholar at the Royal College of Art, UK. He has practiced architecture and interior design in London and Copenhagen and has taught architecture since 2005. Email: [email protected]