24 MARCH 1961, Page 17

OPEN PLAN

S111.—Kenneth Robinson says that houses at the Ideal Home Exhibition show improvement because of wider adoption of the open plan.

What in fact has the open plan to recommend it but modishness? Except for modern plumbing and gadgetry, the open plan house is a return to the Saxon cottage or the Irish cabin. Perhaps at next year's Ideal Home Exhibition the houses will in- clude a livestock area as well as living, dining, cooking, sleeping, play and conjugal relations areas. —Yours faithfully, CORRELLI BARNE1T

Cat bridge House, East Carleton, Norwich