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Assessment of Space Efficiency in Compact Residential Buildings

Abstract

Space efficiency is an important consideration in compact residential buildings where limited floor areas must accommodate diverse household activities and functional requirements. Increasing land costs, urban population growth, and demand for affordable housing have encouraged the development of smaller residential units that require careful spatial planning. Inefficient use of available floor area can result in congestion, inadequate storage, poor circulation, and reduced occupant comfort. Assessing space efficiency is therefore essential for achieving compact residential environments that remain functional and comfortable. This study assesses space efficiency in compact residential buildings by examining how available floor areas are allocated and utilized for different household functions. Factors such as room dimensions, circulation areas, furniture requirements, storage provision, spatial relationships, and service spaces are considered. The study evaluates the proportion of usable space relative to total floor area and examines whether different spaces adequately support their intended activities. Attention is also given to the relationship between spatial efficiency and the overall configuration of compact residential units. The research further examines the influence of furniture arrangement and circulation on space utilization. Efficient compact housing requires sufficient movement areas while minimizing unnecessary corridors, oversized transition spaces, and residual areas. The positioning of furniture, doors, windows, storage units, and fixed installations is therefore considered in relation to available floor space. The study also evaluates multifunctional spaces and flexible layouts as potential strategies for accommodating several activities within limited areas. In addition to functional efficiency, the study considers the relationship between compactness and residential comfort. Efficient use of space should not result in excessive crowding, inadequate privacy, poor daylight access, or insufficient ventilation. The organization of living, sleeping, cooking, dining, storage, and service functions is therefore assessed in relation to occupant needs. Attention is also given to opportunities for adaptable furniture, built-in storage, and flexible partitions that can improve usability without significantly increasing floor area. Challenges affecting space efficiency may include small building footprints, irregular floor plans, limited storage, structural constraints, household size, and competing functional requirements. Poorly planned compact buildings may contain excessive circulation areas or rooms that are too small to accommodate essential furniture and activities. Identifying these deficiencies can support the development of planning approaches that maximize usable floor area while maintaining accessibility, privacy, environmental comfort, and flexibility. The study aims to evaluate the level of space efficiency achieved in compact residential buildings and identify architectural strategies for improving the use of limited floor areas. Its findings are expected to assist architects, housing developers, and designers in creating compact dwellings that balance spatial economy with occupant comfort and functionality. The study contributes to sustainable residential design by emphasizing efficient space allocation, multifunctional planning, adaptable interiors, and careful coordination of furniture, circulation, and household activities.

Keywords: Space efficiency, compact residential buildings, residential planning, space utilization, floor area, spatial organization, circulation, furniture arrangement, multifunctional spaces, storage provision, residential comfort, compact housing, flexible design, sustainable housing.