While there’s been a trend of open floor plans as a selling point for New York real estate for years, architects are seeing a shift in design specifications. While homeowners in the past favored the spacious feeling of open-plan properties, walls are coming back into “fashion”. As smartphones continue to evolve and dominate our daily lives, the so-called “broken-plan” homes are offering a better user experience for these devices at home. Broken-plan layouts afford families the opportunity to enjoy their multiple smartphones and tablets with less disruption.
According to architect Deborah Saunt of DSDHA, “People now want a kind of residence that can change to suit the needs of a family. It’s a kind of inherent adaptability over time.” Instead of larger living spaces and dens, more popular layouts include studies and television rooms. But in keeping with a modern feel, architects are accommodating this need with split level floors and slidable partitions for more flexible floor plans.