Open Plan: A Design History of the American Office

The open plan office was once inspired by a progressive vision of a working environment without walls or hierarchies, but has since come to be associated with dehumanizing and alienating aspects. Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler's book explores the history and evolution of the American open plan, highlighting the ideals embedded in the original design concept and the numerous technical, material, spatial, and social problems that emerged as it became a mainstream office design.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The open plan office, initially envisioned as a progressive workspace devoid of walls and hierarchies, has unfortunately become synonymous with some of the most dehumanizing and alienating aspects of the modern workplace. In her insightful book, author Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler delves into the history and evolution of the American open plan, tracing its journey from the vibrant office landscapes of the 1960s and 1970s to the monotonous cubicles of the 1980s and 1990s. Kaufmann-Buhler approaches the open plan as both a design concept promoted by architects, designers, and furniture manufacturers and as a real work space inhabited by organizations and utilized by workers.

The book is organized thematically, with each chapter focusing on a specific attribute of the open plan to highlight the original design concept's ideals and the numerous technical, material, spatial, and social problems that emerged as it became a mainstream office design widely used in both public and private organizations across the United States. Through a rich tapestry of voices, perspectives, and examples, Kaufmann-Buhler skillfully unravels the tensions embedded within the open plan concept and exposes the assumptions, expectations, and inequities at its core.

This thought-provoking book offers valuable insights into the complexities of contemporary office design and serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking to create more humane and inclusive work environments. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of architecture, design, and the workplace and the potential for creating more sustainable and productive workplaces of the future.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 161 x 240 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350044722