An examination of open-plan living

Robert Frost wrote that "good fences make good neighbours". Well, I would add that strong, sound-proofed walls and the occasional closed door make for content families.

Having moved from an elderly many-roomed mews to a timber framed open-plan house where I can skid across my floor from the kitchen to the master bedroom, I am daily amazed at the difference uninterrupted space can make.

However, my house has little privacy outside of the bedrooms and bathrooms. Having waxed lyrical at the sensuous rhythm of space in my house for two years I now long for some pokey, quiet daytime rooms sealed by heavy doors where I can get away from the 21st century basketball court that is my daily round.