Are large corridors helpful?
NANDHINI SUNDAR
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Expansive, fashionable open spaces in apartments are okay as long as they don’t cut down carpet area in the living unit
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Spare a thought: The size of the corridor matters in apartments
With increased talk lately of budget flats and nano housing, a factor that screams for attention is the size of lobbies and corridors in each apartment block. Given the shrinking carpet area in these smaller units, the size of lobbies and corridors could make the difference between a liveable interior and one that is heavily constrained for space.
It is not uncommon to see large corridors and expansive lobbies built to lend a classy touch that contradicts the downsized units housed within. The super built-up area typically includes a relevant percentage of these corridors and lobbies along with other covered common spaces. The carpet area in each unit gets reduced if this percentage increases.
Typically, the size of a corridor increases in proportion to the number of units per floor. Reducing its size not only calls for fewer units per floor but a more efficient design that cuts down on wastage of space.
Key factors
Says architect S.N. Ramesh, “The shape of the site can play a significant role in the size of the corridor as it will determine the size of the block and number of units per floor. Larger number of units in a block also leads to a higher footfall, requiring a larger lobby area to cater to them. Similarly a darker corridor requires a larger space than one well lit.”
To save on space, he advocates a maximum of four to six units per floor with no individual reception area for each block. “A common lobby catering to all the blocks would save precious space,” he contends.
High carpet area
Says Koshy Varghese, Managing Director, Value Designbuild, “Accent is on offering as high a carpet area as possible, typically close to 77 per cent, and this is achieved by keeping the common area small. However, care should be taken not to compromise on convenience but achieve it by increasing efficiency of design where wastage is minimal.”
According to him, besides reducing the common area, it is important to have an efficient design within the unit, especially in a budget flat as this would impact the quantum of liveable area. Thus, options such as an open kitchen in the living-cum-dining area and large French windows opening on to a not-too-large balcony are ways by which a given carpet area can prove to be more efficient.
Concurs Ramesh, “Removing passages leading to bedrooms, larger windows, abundant sunlight, and reducing dead spaces are ways by which even small units can seem large.”
Adds Snehal Mantri, Vice-President, Marketing, Mantri Developers, “Corridor and lobby spaces depend on the number of units on each floor besides the design element. Spaces such as lift and staircases cannot be compromised. But while designing, care is taken to reduce this area to the minimum.”
Crucial factors
Contending that the average percentage of the super built-up area assigned to corridors does not exceed 4-5 per cent, she avers that a higher liveable space can be attained in a given carpet area if factors such as vaasthu, passages and foyer do not figure in the design.
“Opting for two units per floor as against a high of six to eight units can make a significant difference in the carpet area by reducing corridor space.”
Incidentally, Mantri Developers propose to give as high as 85 per cent as carpet area in its upcoming projects targeting the affordable housing category.
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