Open building: an abbreviated history and a look forward

Purpose Given the continued interest in and application of the open building approach around the world in the 60 years since it was first proposed as an alternative to mass housing, this paper offers a brief chronology of open building implementation across several use categories drawn from several countries. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research as well as lessons learned. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on the author’s personal experience in fifteen countries over a 40-year period. The paper’s content is not meant to be exhaustive, nor is it based on the result of user or other surveys. Findings Since its inception, several phases in the approaches’ evolution and application can be identified. Since its first use in practice in the 1970s, we see a movement from experimental projects to commercially demanded and then to institutionally mandated work. Now we see the emergence of an infill industry. Originality/value This paper builds on previously published work and expands to include information on an infill industry as well as recommendations for future research.