open plan

American  

noun

1. a floor plan without fully enclosed spaces for distinct rooms.

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open-plan British  

adjective

1. having no or few dividing walls between areas

   an open-plan office floor

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Other Word Forms

• open-plan adjective

Etymology

Origin of open plan

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“You go from a modern open plan office in opposition to Downing Street where you’re all scattered around like kids in a big house who’ve gone off to separate bedrooms to do their homework.”

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2024

“The sea of repetitive banks of open plan workstations that typical knowledge-based organizations have just aren’t fit for purpose anymore.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023

They often prefer an open plan because it gives them clear views of other people for signing.

From Scientific American • Mar. 20, 2023

Five bedrooms, six baths, “thrilling panoramic views in all directions” from floor-to-ceiling arched windows, expansive open plan living and dining rooms, den, custom kitchen; 5,508 square feet.

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

Replacing solid walls with ones fitted with interior glazing is particularly useful for dividing a kitchen from a main living space — a sort of compromise between an open plan or a closed-off kitchen.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2022