ArchiStep
Comprehensive Guide to Residential Building Design
📌 Fundamentals of Residential Design
- Orientation based on sunlight and wind flow.
- Natural ventilation and daylight optimization.
- Maintaining privacy between different functions.
- Efficient circulation and user-friendly layout.
- Design flexibility for future adjustments.
Sample internal layout plan
🏘️ Types of Residential Buildings
- Detached Houses: Standalone units such as villas.
- Terraced Houses: Row houses with shared walls.
- Apartment Buildings: Multi-storey with independent flats.
- Collective Housing: Dormitories or institutional housing.
Examples of residential building types
📐 Recommended Spatial Standards
| Space | Suggested Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room | 16 - 25 m² | Depends on occupancy |
| Kitchen | 6 - 12 m² | Direct ventilation required |
| Master Bedroom | 12 - 16 m² | Preferably with en-suite |
| Bathroom | 3 - 6 m² | Natural ventilation recommended |
| Corridors | 1 - 1.2 m wide | Ensure smooth circulation |
🔧 Design Codes and Minimum Standards
- Minimum ceiling height: 2.4 meters.
- Window area must be ≥10% of room area.
- Emergency corridors ≥1.2 meters wide.
- Two fire exits for buildings above 3 floors.
🌍 International Standards
- IBC: International Building Code – safety, construction, insulation.
- NFPA 101: Life Safety Code – evacuation and fire protection.
- ASHRAE 62.1: Indoor air quality and ventilation.
- ADA Standards: Accessibility for disabled individuals.
📊 Apartment Layout Comparison
| Model | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Linear | Good ventilation and daylight | Low privacy |
| L-Shape | Separation of sleeping/living | More circulation space |
| Central Core | Efficient movement | Poor lighting in internal rooms |
Layout types: linear, L-shape, and core-centric
