Revamp your open plan living area: creative tips to enhance social engagement

Revamp Your Open Plan Living Area: Creative Tips to Enhance Social Engagement

In today’s world, whether you’re designing a home, an office, or a university campus, the way you lay out your open plan living area can significantly impact social engagement. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to create spaces that foster community, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Understanding the Importance of Open Plan Spaces

Open plan spaces are more than just a trendy design choice; they are crucial for creating an environment where people can interact, collaborate, and feel a sense of community. For instance, in university settings, informal open plan spaces are vital for the social life of students and for developing their sense of belonging[1].

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Community Engagement in Open Plan Spaces

When it comes to community engagement, the design of your open plan space can make or break the experience. Here are some key points to consider:

• Diverse Needs: Open plan spaces need to address complex and diverse needs. For example, while majority groups might prefer busier, more active areas, minority groups and first-generation undergraduates may value quieter, more private spaces[1].
• Acoustic Comfort: The acoustic quality of the space is also crucial. As Emma Greenland from Anderson Acoustics notes, “Social spaces are usually cited as being the most challenging and noise usually tops the list of complaints. But it is possible to create a variety of acoustic spaces so that students always have a choice and feel that they belong”[1].

Designing Inclusive Open Plan Spaces

Creating an inclusive open plan space involves more than just removing walls; it requires a thoughtful approach to design.

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Mixing Different Types of Spaces

To ensure that everyone feels they belong, it’s essential to offer a mix of different spaces.

• Social Spaces: Cafes, gyms, and other social areas are highly valued by students who are typically in the majority at university. These spaces encourage social interaction and community building[1].
• Teaching Spaces: For others, especially minority students, teaching spaces and quieter areas are more important. These spaces provide a comfortable environment for studying and socializing without the noise and distractions of busier areas[1].

Incorporating Flexible and Unprogrammed Spaces

Flexible and unprogrammed spaces are key to creating an inclusive campus or home environment.

• Adaptable Spaces: Spaces that can be adapted for different uses are highly beneficial. For example, the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) interconnected two different building styles to support a new education model. Students were involved in the design process, ensuring the space met their diverse needs[1].
• Shared Facilities: Incorporating shared facilities such as laundries, activity rooms, and communal gardens can also enhance community engagement. These shared spaces encourage interaction and a sense of community among residents or students[2].

Practical Tips for Enhancing Social Engagement

Here are some practical tips to help you revamp your open plan living area and enhance social engagement:

Create Cozy Nooks and Communal Areas

• Dining Nooks: Separate dining areas from the kitchen to create cozy nooks that are perfect for family dinners and busy breakfast times. This can help reduce noise and clutter from kitchen food prep and make better use of space[4].
• Conversational Islands: Instead of bar-style seating at kitchen islands, opt for conversational islands where everyone can feel involved. This design encourages quality conversations and makes the space more social[4].

Use Acoustic Design to Your Advantage

• Variety of Acoustic Spaces: Create different acoustic spaces within your open plan area. This could include quieter corners for studying or louder areas for socializing. Ensuring there are choices available helps everyone feel comfortable and included[1].

Incorporate Shared Facilities and Amenities

• Shared Open Spaces: Provide shared open spaces rather than small private gardens. This not only preserves mature trees and established gardens but also builds a greater sense of community[2].
• Optional Features: Include optional features like shared laundries, carparking, or activity rooms. These amenities can be managed through community title and make the space more appealing and functional for different types of residents or students[2].

Engaging Your Community in the Design Process

Engaging your community in the design process is crucial for creating spaces that truly meet their needs.

Assess Community Capacity

Before you start designing, it’s important to assess the community’s capacity for engagement.

• Training and Materials: Provide necessary trainings or materials to ensure community members can comfortably and meaningfully engage in the decision-making process. This includes ensuring accessibility for a diverse range of community groups[3].
• Power-Mapping Stakeholders: Identify stakeholders and organize them according to the level of engagement needed. This helps in understanding the gaps and opportunities for engagement[3].

Multi-Channel Community Outreach

Use multiple channels to reach community members.

• Neighborhood-Based Outreach: Conduct dispersed community meetings with a focus on reaching those who have historically been excluded from local policy decisions.
• Accessible Materials: Use accessible, non-technical language with translations available in other languages as needed.
• Clear Summaries: Provide clear summaries of relevant data and policy evaluations to encourage engagement rooted in a shared analysis of problems and possible solutions[3].

Examples of Successful Community Engagement

Here are some examples of how different communities have successfully engaged in the design process:

London Interdisciplinary School (LIS)

At LIS, the first cohort of students was involved in designing the campus. This inclusive approach ensured that the space met the diverse needs of the students and created a sense of ownership and belonging[1].

Elk Grove, California

In Elk Grove, residents used a participatory budgeting tool called Balancing Act to provide feedback on rezoning decisions. Residents created their own rezoning plans, which were then reviewed and summarized by city officials to inform the City Council’s decision[3].

Table: Comparing Different Design Approaches

Quotes from Experts

• Neil Pinder, Head of Architecture at Graveney School: “Buildings represent power and it’s the power of the establishment and it’s the power of the embedded systems of control that you subconsciously feel. I think medieval and Victorian architecture represent very old institutions. I don’t think I would feel welcomed there, but at the same time, I have got this feeling that this is something I need to aspire to.”[1]
• Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City: “If we treated the spaces of learning more like how we design cities, and think about ways in which we can adapt them for us to feel comfortable and to create new and exciting learning environments, that would be an amazing accomplishment.”[1]
• Emma Greenland, from Anderson Acoustics: “Social spaces are usually cited as being the most challenging and noise usually tops the list of complaints. But it is possible to create a variety of acoustic spaces so that students always have a choice and feel that they belong.”[1]

Revamping your open plan living area is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a space that fosters social engagement, community, and a sense of belonging. By incorporating flexible and unprogrammed spaces, using acoustic design to your advantage, and engaging your community in the design process, you can create an environment that truly meets the diverse needs of its users.

Final Tips

• Make Sure It’s Inclusive: Ensure that your design addresses the complex and diverse needs of all users.
• Engage Your Community: Involve your community in the design process to create a space that feels owned and valued by everyone.
• Be Flexible: Design spaces that can be adapted for different uses to maximize their utility and appeal.

By following these tips and examples, you can create an open plan living area that not only looks great but also enhances social engagement and builds a stronger, more connected community.