Residential architecture has evolved over the years to a more artistic design that balances functionality and aesthetics. Residential architecture primarily focuses on building ideas and designs for non-commercial construction and living spaces that include townhomes, mansions, apartments, condos, and many more. These designs include all types of home designs, be it modern, conventional, rustic, industrial or any other design. The architects help you implement the dream into reality with a layout that meets all the daily requirements, such as sleeping, bathing, cooking, or relaxing. In this article, we discuss the different aspects of residential architecture.
The Literal Definition of Residential Architecture
Residential architecture is all about conceptualizing the design of residential homes in a detailed way with a keen eye on all the usable spaces such as living space, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining space. The architecture covers varied buildings such as ranches, bungalows, villas, mansions, apartments, and any space used to live.
The architects are the professionals who help realize your dream space into reality with their understanding of your requirements, and lifestyle. The architects work in different stages which we discuss in the later part of this article.
What Are the Different Stages of the Residential Architecture?
The residential architecture is usually divided into varied steps by the architects for better clarity, both to the clients and for them. Here are the stages:
Hiring an Architect
The first and most important part of residential architecture is to hire the best architects known for their flawless work. While hiring them, as a homeowner, bear in mind that the architect should be able to meet your requirements, adhere to the building codes of that area, meet all the safety measures, and strike a balance between form and function. The form is the aesthetic appeal of the house and functionality of easy movement of movable and immovable items within the house and meeting all the needs of the family members.
Design Project
The primary step of residential architecture after hiring an architect is the design process where all the information related to the home design project is collected to sketch the rough layout of the design. There are multiple things that are considered while designing, such as the size of the space, selection of materials, climatic and environmental conditions, visual appeal, ventilation, natural light, and sustainability. A rough outline is prepared of the exterior walls, indoor space and other elements. The architect not only considers the present need of the client, they have a far-sighted approach, and hence, they take into account the future adaptations too. In a nutshell, you can say that architects design the house in such a way that it is transformed from a mere concrete building into an enduring space.
Check the Sustainability of the Structure
Before construction begins, it’s vital to ensure the sustainability of the structure, which is achieved through proper analysis of the locations by maximizing the natural resources like sunlight and wind, scope of use of renewable material, site analysis, and minimal carbon footprint.
Implementation of the Design (Construction)
Once the design is finalized, it’s time to bring vision into reality with the implementation of the design. At this stage, the layout on the paper is transformed into physical space under the strict supervision of the contractors, architects and engineers, who perform their respective duties. Architects keep an eye on the intricacies of the structure and its adherence to the layout; contractors take care of the material, and engineers oversee the alignment of design and the finishing. Proper communication between contractors, architects and engineers is the core element to accomplishing the project.
Different Home Styles and Their Architectural Requirements
All homes are different so are their structural and functional requirements. Let’s have a look at some of them:
Single-family home - In these homes, more focus is directed towards the privacy of the family, and the home style is mostly traditional.
Multi-family homes - In these homes, space maximization is on the priority list, and the style is more modern and industrial.
Villas - In villas, more emphasis is laid on the seamless blending of indoor and outdoor space and minimalist style.
Local homes - The local or vernacular homes mostly use local materials for a rustic look and style is oriented towards the local environment and reflection of the culture.
