In this blog, let's explore the principles to follow to achieve a well-articulated living space. We consider residential design as a form of art. A well-designed residence not only comprehends the client's design brief but also identifies the hierarchy of spaces and weaves them together in a balanced manner. The spaces within a residence should harmonise with each other, serving their designated functions while incorporating aspects that enhance their utility.
For instance, consider a residence with two wings: the right-wing leads to common spaces, while the left-wing leads to private spaces. Now, let's understand the factors that determine the placement of different space types within any residence.
Crafting a Tapestry with Different Types of Spaces!
This is the fundamental way to differentiate various spaces in a residence. The different space types include indoor, outdoor, and semi-outdoor spaces.
Indoor spaces - These spaces are the heart of a residence, enclosed within its walls and often characterized by openings that connect them to outdoor spaces. They include core living areas, bedrooms, and other functional spaces, each with a specific function to fulfill.
Outdoor Spaces - These encompass areas like setbacks, vehicle parking, entry porches, open terraces, and gardens. These spaces are not covered and are integral parts of the site. They provide opportunities for outdoor activities, relaxation, and interaction with nature. Parking ensures vehicle safety, and terraces can accommodate services like overhead water tanks, and solar panels, as well as living spaces like terrace gardens and gazebos.
Semi-Outdoor spaces - These include balconies and indoor courts, bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor spaces, and offering a blend of shelter and connection with the outdoors. They open up to the outdoor environment while ensuring safety and can bring nature into the residence when outdoor spaces are limited due to site size.
Balancing Common and Private Spaces
After formulating a design brief based on essential data from clients, we can
categorize spaces as common and private.
Common Spaces - These areas are accessible and shared by all household members, designed for social interaction, hosting guests, and family gatherings, such as the living room, dining area, family room, common balconies, and terraces, depending on the family's lifestyle.
Private Spaces - These areas are designated for individual use or limited to specific household members. They are designed for privacy, personal comfort, and storage and include spaces like kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, and private balconies, where residents can relax privately.
Flow and Harmony of Living Spaces
In residential design, it's essential to envision how residents will use living spaces and hierarchically arrange them. Thoughtful planning ensures smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor areas while striking the right balance between common and private spaces. This approach results in homes that function well, feel inviting, and maintain serenity.
A well-articulated home leads residents to common spaces upon entry while keeping the private spaces tucked away. Furthermore, when common spaces open out to semi-outdoor spaces like balconies, it enhances the living area and makes it appear more spacious.
Exploring Variation in Scale
Many homes miss the opportunity to experiment with the scale of their living spaces. Incorporating double height living areas can transform the indoor environment. These soaring spaces not only enhance the interior but also establish a stronger connection between floors, fostering a sense of indoor - outdoor interaction. Varying scales can be achieved by incorporating split levels within a house, allowing seamless views within a residence and increasing interaction.
Elevating Living Spaces: The Role of Natural Light and Ventilation
In residential design, the significance of natural light and ventilation cannot be overstated. These elements do more than just illuminate and refresh a home; they shape residents' moods and infuse vitality into living spaces. They play a pivotal role in enhancing indoor spatial quality, fostering a sense of openness, and creating a harmonious atmosphere that contributes to the overall well- being of those who call it home. By bringing in a good amount of natural light and ventilation, you can save on electricity used for lighting during the daytime. Depending on the climate of the area, this can also lead to cost savings on air conditioning when adequate ventilation is ensured.
Bringing Nature Indoors: Enhancing Your Living Space with Greenery
In residential design, connecting with the outdoor environment and introducing indoor plants are vital for creating a healthy living space. Adding plants to your interiors adds a living element to the space. Plants like ZZ plants and snake plants not only thrive in low-light areas but also contribute to improved air quality. By providing a visual connection to greenery and incorporating nature- inspired design elements, you can create a harmonious and tranquil living environment.
At Rooted Realm Architects, we prioritise designing residential spaces with thoughtful consideration of the aspects highlighted throughout this journey. We seamlessly blend modern aesthetics with your cherished memories to create homes that tell your unique story.
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