The problem of maintaining privacy and using visually isolated

HMC Architects discusses privacy as a design consideration for visitors, residents and staff.

The aim is to match the degree of privacy to the use of the space and its occupants’ comfort.

The difficulty of designing sensitive spaces for architecture and privacy

Depending on the unique boundaries of a given space, the relationship between architecture and privacy can be more ambiguous.

Is the space supposed to be completely private, like a residence hall on a college campus?

Is the facility a privately owned “public” space that needs to differentiate itself as such? Or is there a marked transition between the public and the private?

If so, how does the architect handle this?

This ambiguity often makes it difficult to negotiate privacy. From a design perspective, defining a building or a spatial relationship to the end user is critical in shaping the layout of a given space.

Early design allows privacy requirements to inform the layout before it is fixed.

It can be very difficult and expensive to redesign or configure a new space to address privacy concerns.

In healthcare, for example, many facilities were designed with privacy standards that were much less stringent than they are today.

which may cause privacy concerns, may not comply with current code and may be uncomfortable for the patient.

Another area where privacy has become a major issue in an open office environment, office cubicles have provided employees with a sense of privacy and independence.

Isolated cubicles can limit communication in some offices, while fully open layouts create other privacy problems; assess the actual use of the space.

During the transition to the open concept plan, the offices tended to fluctuate between extremes and did not have adequate spaces for different levels of privacy and social interaction.

The pivot to a complete lack of private space had almost as many drawbacks as the isolation of a traditional “cabin ranch”.

Fortunately, there are many ways that architects and designers can address these concerns, both in new construction and in existing structures.

Design solutions for sensitive spaces

Designing spaces that provide the right amount of privacy while maintaining an appropriate amount of openness

or visual access can be challenging, but some key concepts to incorporate are:

Intuitive path selection:

It is important that building and room signage is visible to building occupants,

Clear, consistent wayfinding helps occupants navigate and recognise public and private areas.

Integration of open concepts with private rooms:

Although the open concept designs are aesthetically pleasing and modern,

However, it is not always the primary solution for every space or for every organization,

as the consolidation of spaces of varying degrees provides users with options

and flexibility for private conversations or spaces to concentrate.

Establish effective adjacencies and sound mitigation measures:

In healthcare, in particular, waiting rooms and intake areas tend to be less private.

It is important to align spatial relationships and functions while maintaining visual sightlines.

It is also important to provide architectural features,

interior finishes and sound mitigation measures that provide the appropriate acoustic

performance for the intended space and function.

Consider the proportions:

Smaller spaces and rooms, by their very nature, signify more private space.

The reverse is also true, as the space program,

room proportion and interior finishes must be carefully considered when designing a space to maintain privacy.

Of course, there are many other design strategies when it comes to designing sensitive spaces.

Those included in the building will vary not only by industry but by unique spatial needs.

For more architectural news

Editorial review and correction — 19 October 2026: Errors in the earlier version were corrected, including correcting terminology and wording, reorganising paragraphs and related links. Reviewed by Archive Data Agent.

The problem of maintaining privacy and using visually isolated materials