Open plan living connects the main kitchen, dining and living spaces resulting in shared zones which can encourage family conversations and connections. It has been a popular way of living to open up internal spaces, allowing rooms to feel bigger with more air flow and natural light to filter through. Open plan allows the occupant to adapt rooms to reflect lifestyle changes as families grow.
The way we live in our homes is ever-evolving, fast tracked in the last 12 months as we adapt to global and community changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our homes must be flexible and work harder for us, offering not only spaces to cook, eat and sleep but also to work, exercise and study. A more modular, flexible approach to house planning is required as we find a need for multi-functional zones. Having more individual spaces can cater for more activities that we are seeing at home such as work and study, even home education, exercise/yoga/meditation or just a quiet sitting space for some alone time. For some, gone are the long days of being out and about working and running errands and only seeing your family at night time in an open plan space to allow for flowing conversation as you cook/sit/watch tv/eat. Some families are growing and changing spending more time together throughout the day and requiring their own more private space to do these daily activities.
We are seeing spaces divided by obvious means such as walls and screens but also courtyards and greenery to encourage natural light and ventilation. Mid-century design is prominent at the moment which embraces timber screening elements and breezeblocks. In a few of our recent projects , we have divided spaces with the outdoors, wrapping kitchen/living/dining areas around a courtyard to create privacy, intimate spaces but still with a gentle connection.
Even though spaces are separated it is still essential that they tell the same story, so our advice would be to link the rooms in a way with materiality or some sort of visual connection. The ease of movement and circulation needs to be considered so when the occupant is moving between the spaces it doesn’t feel challenging.
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Matthew is a Site Supervisor with over 10 years’ experience in luxury, bespoke residential construction. His career has seen him manage a wide range of high-end residential and commercial projects, while also sharing his expertise as a Building Studies lecturer at North Metro TAFE.
A Registered Building Practitioner with a Diploma of Building and Construction, Matthew is recognised for his strong communication, collaborative approach, and commitment to quality outcomes. In 2017, he was a finalist in the Ric New Rising Star Awards, a reflection of his drive and dedication to the industry.
Matthew thrives on problem-solving and enjoys working closely with architects, engineers, and trades to deliver projects that are both unique and of the highest standard. For him, the greatest reward is seeing happy clients at the end of the build, achieved through his “one team, one dream” style of collaboration.
With over 25 years of experience across the building industry, Simon brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a calm, solutions-focused approach to his role as Maintenance Supervisor at Weststyle. Holding a Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery, his career has spanned a wide range of trades.
For the past decade, Simon has worked as a full-time maintenance contractor and supervisor, honing his skills in problem-solving and attention to detail. His relaxed yet professional nature allows him to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Simon enjoys the variety that comes with maintenance work, no two days are ever the same, and takes pride in working on Weststyle’s beautiful homes and meeting the wonderful clients behind them. Always prepared and ready for any situation, Simon approaches each job with care, precision, and a genuine dedication to quality.