The impacts of spatial parameters on space efficiency in hybrid villa-apartments in greater Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract EN

With the recent increase in hybrid villa-apartments (HVAS), which combine owner-occupier and renters in one building, in greater Khartoum in response to high housing demand, there is a need to understand the main determinants of their layouts.

the need for efficient designs of such a complex housing type raises questions about the impact of spatial parameters on their space efficiency.

this study aims to contribute to developing HVA design guidelines by focusing on the impact of key spatial parameters namely, plot location and dimensions, and location of vertical circulation, yards and entrances on their space efficiency.

quantitative analysis of a sample of sixty HVAs was performed to show the relationship between spatial parameters and space efficiency.

Interviews with practicing architects were conducted to ascertain the determining factors of HVA layouts and the optimum location of identified spatial parameters.

the results revealed that the most efficient location for the plot is the corner location; the center-edge for vertical circulation; the back location for yards; and for plot dimensions, it is where the width is longer than the depth.

these results can assist designers, owners and developers during the design stage to maximize the space efficiency, hence the feasibility, of HVAS.