Maximising space efficiency

Architect explains how small homes are optimally designed in South East Asian cities.
While one is thinking of décor or design elements, ‘small’ is always beautiful. Hence, the smaller, the better it is. But can you imagine if the ‘smaller the better’ principle is applied to living spaces?
Well, if appropriately handled, this could be the answer to all our forthcoming congestion problems. Its meaning is plain and simple; can we make our living spaces small but efficient? Which in turn makes their purchase cheaper? Lesser the area means lesser the fit-out cost and maintenance thereon.
So what is wrong in this? Well, the answer is almost nothing. This is a well adopted formula in South East Asian cities like Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong since many years.
We are gradually moving towards making our spaces smaller or rather more efficient. Having seen various apartments of Hong Kong and Singapore, I have seen how efficiency makes things smaller.

Space savers

The biggest space savers are the deletion of lobby’s and passages which are unused spaces. The main door directly opening into the living or dining area is an avoidable situation but opening the door in reverse of the living side is an easy way out to reduce the lobby area.

Odd corners

While selecting an apartment, the layout must be closely studied. If the rooms are lined one after another in odd shapes, this automatically generates a corridor flanking the rooms which are unused spaces. Odd corners in the bedroom or living room will always remain unused and in turn, be dust gathering spots. If the building plan is rectilinear, this will certainly help in achieving efficiency.

Asian approach

In Hong Kong, bedrooms are taken at say 8’-6” x 10’-0” with 1’-6” ledge projecting out. This not only makes room look larger, but also doubles up as a sitting ledge-cum-display area, which adds to aesthetic value.

Furniture norms

Once the spaces become tiny, it is very important to look at equally lighter furniture and fit outs. The sofa set, instead of solid base, could be having exposed legs making it look lighter. Similarly, flooring in a lighter colour without much inlay and pattern that usually suit large spaces is preferred.
There, the partition walls between rooms instead of civil walls 6” – 8” thick are dry partitions of 2” – 3” thick. This saves space as well.

Lift lobbies

The lift lobby instead of having elevators one after another with dead wall in front can be two lifts opposite each other with a common lobby in between. These are effective space savers and keep areas efficient, lesser for buyer to pay, making it more affordable.

To Know more about Prescon Realtors & Infrastructures Private Limited
Contact Us :
Address  :
201, Prestige Precinct, Near Nitin Casting, Almeida Road, Panchpakhadi, Thane (W), Mumbai - 400601.
Telephone : 91-22-25985951–55
Email : prescon@prescon.in