open plans

[/ˈoʊpən plænz/]
nounpl: open plans
plantas abertas / planos abertos / layout aberto
1. Architectural or office design concept featuring large, unobstructed interior spaces without walls or partitions between work areas
The company redesigned their offices with open plans to encourage collaboration among employees.
A empresa redesenhou seus escritórios com plantas abertas para encorajar a colaboração entre funcionários.
2. Floor plans or layouts that show spaces flowing into one another with minimal barriers
Modern homes often feature open plans connecting the kitchen, dining, and living areas.
Casas modernas frequentemente apresentam plantas abertas conectando cozinha, sala de jantar e sala de estar.
Open plans became prominent in both American and Brazilian corporate culture from the 1990s onward, promoted as fostering innovation and teamwork. However, recent trends question their effectiveness for productivity and focus, with many companies reconsidering closed offices post-pandemic. In Brazil, this architectural trend gained popularity among multinational corporations and startups, particularly in São Paulo's business districts.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
open-plan designopen layoutsflexible spacescollaborative spaces
Antonyms / Antônimos
closed planscompartmentalized spacespartitioned layoutsclosed-off offices

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
plantas abertas
Most common term in formal and professional contexts
Rio de Janeiro
layout aberto
More casual, borrowing English term directly
São Paulo
plano aberto / open space
Corporate usage often preserves English term
Portugal
planos abertos / espaço aberto
Portuguese maintains similar structure to Brazilian Portuguese

Related Words

open officefloor planworkspace designarchitectural layoutinterior designcollaborative workspace

Related Idioms & Phrases

break down walls
tear down the barriers
create an open environment
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