The post WWII was characterized by a positive way of thinking and the desire for a better future. Architects and designers caught this hope and desire designing wider and brighter house plans considering the outside as an important part of them. The presence of wide living spaces -with big glass windows communicating with the landscape- where people could enjoy their time together were, then, the main characteristic of mid-century houses.
The goals to achieve for mid-century architects and interior designers were, then, homogeneous spaces -regarding the materials used for the flooring, the furniture, the lighting and the architecture itself- neat spaces, natural materials, warm colours and multi-purpose rooms with no separations.
The open floor plan was designed to join all the dwellers in the same room and, when needed, to give the opportunity of doing different activities thanks to zones specifically designed for it. This new way of living become soon the synonymous of American mid-century living, but it was not a completely new concept. Many architects in North Europe -like Alvar Aalto did fin the Villa Mairea- were designing houses with those characteristics in mind since already decades.
The large living space, joined together different uses that were previously reserved to specific rooms, but thanks to interior decoration elements as sliding doors, screens and glass windows it was still possible to have some privacy when needed.
An interesting example is the Italian architect Gio Ponti house in Milan, completed in 1957. Ponti divided the apartment with retractable accordion-like screens but used a dynamic tile flooring and at the same ceiling decor throughout to provide a visual link between the separate spaces. This way, Ponti was able to link the new concept of 'open floor plan' living with the more traditional separation of living spaces found in 50s Italian dwellings.
The goals to achieve for mid-century architects and interior designers were, then, homogeneous spaces -regarding the materials used for the flooring, the furniture, the lighting and the architecture itself- neat spaces, natural materials, warm colours and multi-purpose rooms with no separations.
The open floor plan was designed to join all the dwellers in the same room and, when needed, to give the opportunity of doing different activities thanks to zones specifically designed for it. This new way of living become soon the synonymous of American mid-century living, but it was not a completely new concept. Many architects in North Europe -like Alvar Aalto did fin the Villa Mairea- were designing houses with those characteristics in mind since already decades.
The large living space, joined together different uses that were previously reserved to specific rooms, but thanks to interior decoration elements as sliding doors, screens and glass windows it was still possible to have some privacy when needed.
An interesting example is the Italian architect Gio Ponti house in Milan, completed in 1957. Ponti divided the apartment with retractable accordion-like screens but used a dynamic tile flooring and at the same ceiling decor throughout to provide a visual link between the separate spaces. This way, Ponti was able to link the new concept of 'open floor plan' living with the more traditional separation of living spaces found in 50s Italian dwellings.
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