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1. LITERATURE REVIEW
AND CASE STUDY ON
APARTMENT BUILDING
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TWO
NAME YASMIN JEMAL
NSR 2185/13

2. APARTMENT
Definition of apartment
Apartments are dwellings that are stacked vertically as well as horizontally. Multi-
unit housing includes clustered and row, or terrace, housing. Both dwelling types
offer additional challenges and opportunities for passive and sustainable design
compared with individual dwellings.
An apartment, or flat, is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a
building. Such a building may be called an apartment building, especially if it
consists of many apartments for rent. Apartments may be owned by an
owner/occupier or rented by tenants.
Most apartments are in buildings designed for the purpose, but large older houses
are sometimes divided into apartments. The word apartment connotes a residential
unit or section in a building. In some locations, particularly the United States, the
word specifically connotes a rental unit owned by the building owner, and is not
typically used for a condominium.
In simple words apartment is the building in which accommodation is provided for
3 or more families living independently of one another

3. The term residential apartment building refers to the following residential building
types:
1) Big house apartments
2) Courtyard apartments
3) Slab apartments
4) Tower apartments
5) Live/work apartments
6) Shop-top apartments.
Each type is defined and illustrated and guidance is provided on when best to use
them in terms of the local context of any given area.
Big house apartment building
Big house apartment buildings have the scale and appearance of large detached
dwellings but in fact accommodate a number of individual apartments. They are
freestanding and set within a garden. Big house apartments are typically two or
three stories with between one and four dwellings per floor. Existing large houses
can sometimes be retrofitted and internally subdivided into separate apartments to
make a new big house apartment.

4. This building type is best used when:
 The context is detached buildings or similarly scaled buildings which are
Unlikely to be replaced
 there is a need to maintain an existing street character i.e. there is an
established building form and front yard character
 rear landscaped areas are desired
 large buildings (possibly with heritage value) are available to be internally
subdivided
 Sites are small.
Courtyard Apartment Building
A courtyard apartment building typically encloses and defines one or more open
spaces which are generally for the shared use of the occupants. These buildings are
often limited to three or four storeys to ensure both the open space and the
apartments have sufficient access to natural daylight.
This building type is best used when:
 there is a desire to limit the height of a building
 corner sites, wide shallow sites, or sites with two or more frontages are being
developed
 an open space is desired
 a perimeter block is intended
 there is a desire to optimize views
 better solar access is desired
 it complements the subdivision pattern

5.  optimizes density over large areas
 Defines streets.
Slab Apartment Building
A slab or block apartment is a building with an elongated plan and a controlled
building depth. The individual apartments are usually arranged along a corridor
with a single or multiple cores depending on the building length. They are often
greater than six storeys in height.
This type of building is best used when:
 higher density is desired
 the existing context is of large buildings
 large development sites are available
 Mixed use is desired. Slab buildings can be street-edge aligned and made
suitable for commercial/retail uses on the lower levels.
 When used in a continuous street form they should relate in height to the street
width or space they define
Tower Apartment Building

6. A tower apartment building is a free-standing building with a dominant vertical
dimension and with a limited number of apartments arranged around a central core.
The floor plates are repetitive and the base may have a podium.
This building type is best used when:
 the existing context is an urban area
 higher density housing is desired
 a strong urban form is desired to identify a point of difference in an overall
spatial structure plan
 mixed use is desired. Lower levels or podiums are generally suited to
commercial or community uses.
 there is a desire to optimize views
 the site has been identified in the spatial structure plan.
Live/Work Apartment Building
Live/work apartments are residential units located above or adjacent to a
workspace used primarily or exclusively by the apartment resident. The workspace
is typically used for studio, office or workshop based activities and therefore is
likely to have an increased stud height on the ground floor.
Live/work apartments should be located within close proximity to other amenities
and residential areas and should face onto a street system.

7. This type of building is best used when:
 mixed use is desired
 further housing choice is desired
 in border areas
 as part of a clear street and block system.
Shop-top Apartment Building
Shop-top apartments are residential units located above retail units. This is a well-
established apartment typology as historically, it was very common for
shopkeepers to live above their businesses for reasons of security, convenience and
affordability. Shop-top apartments today could be occupied by business proprietors
or by tenants who are not directly associated with the retail tenancies below.
Shop-top apartments must consider adjacent developments (existing or possible
future) and manage access from the apartments to the street
This typology is best used when:
 higher density is desired

8.  the existing context is a town center
 there is a desire to maintain the existing grain
 an active street edge is desired
 Mixed use is desired. Apartment Type
Apartment Types
Apartment types are a way of describing apartments based on characteristics.
While the design of apartments can vary widely, all apartments will share a
combination of characteristics drawn from the same three criteria.
These criteria are:
 THE NUMBER OF BEDROOMS.  Apartments can have one, two, three or
more bedrooms. Studios have a shared living and sleeping space.
 THE NUMBER AND LOCATION OF LEVELS.  Apartments can be single
storey, two storeys marionettes, two storey with mezzanine, three storey, ground
floor, penthouse or cross over (dual aspect apartments arranged with a change of
level between one side of the building and the other).
 THE ORIENTATION AND NUMBER OF WALLS.  Single aspect, dual
aspect, corner aspect.
A better understanding of an apartment can be given by using all of the relevant
characteristics to describe the type. e.g. a single storey, three bedroom, dual aspect.
The variety and types of apartments accommodated within a building will be
determined in conjunction with the design of the building. Influencing factors will
include: the depth and orientation of the building; the internal circulation – both
vertical and horizontal; the location of apartment entrances; and the positioning of
services.

9. LOCAL CASESTUDY
SHALOM SHALOM APARTMENT
Location
The apartment is located in Addis Ababa, arada sub city werreda2,kebele 11.It is
found around piassa , in front of Benin mosque.

10. SURROUNDING
In front of the building there is Benin mosque and other apartments, and at the
right and left and also at ground floor of the apartment there are market places
which are mostly shops of ceramics and electrical materials . And at the back of
the apartment there is a school called Africa andante. “
Benin mosque ,market place around the apartment and Africa andante school
CLIMATE
Since the site is in Piassa, the center of Addis Ababa, it is dominated by the usual
climate of Addis.
“In Addis Ababa, the climate is warm and temperature. The average annual
temperature is 16.3c and precipitation average 11143 mm143mm.”
TOPOGRAPHY
The building is located on a very sloppy site, As most of the places in Addis
Ababa. However, the building has adapted the level differences on the well and in
every spaces they create. And the level difference can be said well managed in the
building
ORIENTATION

11. The apartment is oriented towards the south-east direction. The build got a
morning sun and well preserved from harsh sun.
PLANNING CONCEPT
The building is designed according to the topography of the site.
It has various level differences, and each individual unit contains split levels and
duplex apartments
The form of the building is somehow rectangular , with the balconies creating a
pattern between the solid and void in the façade.
The texture formed by the balconies give the building a unique character.
Split and duplex

12. CIRCULATIONS
Corridor and staircase .The corridors are well lighted and ventilated Since the
corridor is open, it feels very spacious and does not feel cramped.There is good
visual connection between the levels of the corridors.
ELEVATORS
Although an elevator had been installed, it has failed and is not available anymore.
The residents of the top floors complained about using the stairs, specially offices
which have many customers coming every day.
The historical elevator
APARTMENT TYPOLOGIES
According to space differentiation the apartments have three different topologies:
 Single Bedroom unit - 4
 Two bedroom unit - 4

13.  Three bedroom unit – 7
SINGLE BEDROOM UNIT
Single floor unit
One living room
One bed room with balcony
One kitchen and bathroom
Two bedroom unit
Mixed unit (duplex and split level)
Lobby
Living and dining area
Two bed rooms
One kitchen and store
Two bathrooms
Three balconies
THREE BEDROOM UNITS
Mixed unit(duplex and split level)

14. Living and dining area
Three bedrooms
Kitchen and store
Two bathrooms
Three balconies
SITE OBSERVATIONS
The building is extremely old and decaying so that it needs renovation.
The building is aesthetically un appealing especially at the back of the building
Back of the building
SERVICES
Laundry; there is no space specifically designed for washing and drying clothes.
This forces the people to use their balconies and terrace, which reduces the
functional purpose of the balcony and the aesthetic appeal of the building in
general.

15. Laundry on Balcony and Terrace
There is no room or space for security guard so they place un attractive security
room in front of entrance.
Security room
Parking; the building shares a parking area with the apartment building in front of
it ,and also uses the side of the road.
Garbage; There is no garbage disposal chute, so it is manually carried down the
stairs.
Parking Garbage

16. Some useful services like water storage and satellite dishes are placed on the
terrace which may used as a playground or as a communal space if it is well
utilized
Some service of the
terrace
MATERIALS
R.C slabs
HCB blocks
And also they use a precast material for the sun breaker of the balcony
Metal and wood used for stairs.
COMMUNAL SPACES
Playground there is a roof terrace , but it is not secure enough for children to play
on.
There is a lack of space for leading the life of Ethiopians , who have a tradition of
having excellent interpersonal bonds within each community.
The building lacks space for hosting a traditional kitchen and butchery, which are
mandatory for Ethiopians
LOCAL CASESTUDY CONCLUSION
ADVANTAGE
It has successfully adapted the topography of the site . Has created spacious living
units by maintaining the visual connections between floors and level differences
Three balconies in the two and three bedroom units.
Ducts are hidden in false columns, so that the visual appearance is not disturbed.
Has well ventilated rooms

17. Has well lighted and ventilated corridors
False colon used for
ducts
DISADVANTAGE
Some rooms are not well lighted due to the patterns used on the façade
The fire escape and the stairs are very near to each other, which makes it hard to
access them from the far end of the building in case of fire.
There is very little greenery in the building, and none on the roof terrace
The main entrance to the building(the lobby) is narrow and not well lighted.
The space on the roof terrace is not utilized properly.
There is space which is not utilized properly on some corridors.
Lobby and dining area of 3 bedroom unit

18. Some cars are parked on the side of the road , since there is no space provided for
people who spend a short time there , such as guests and customers of the shops.
Due to the lack of proper maintenance of water pipes and electrical cables, the
electrical cables and water pipes are installed on top of the wall and ceiling.
There is no room or space for security guard so they place un attractive security
room in front of entrance.
INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY

19. LADIES MILE
Key Project information
HOUSINGTYPE: APPARTMENTS
DENSITY: 125 DW/HA
ARCHITECT & DESIGN TEAM: ARCHITEX NZ LTD
YEARCOMPLETED: 2011
SITEAREA: 5215 M
The site is directly behind the Ellerslieshops and is set back from Ladies Mile the
site is excellently located for an apartment life style next to the amenities of a town
center the site is relatively flat but has a gradual climb towards Ladies Mile
PROJECTTYPE
HOUSING FOR ELDERLY High density apartments
Set back from the main street. Total of 66 apartments
1 & 2 bedroom units range from 55m² to 60m²

20. The apartments are marked as social housing for older people (55+). All one
bedroom apartments are designed to Universal Design principles, with 15 units
designed to be fully wheelchair accessible
PARKING COURT
41 car parking spaces at ground
THE BUILDING
1. The occupants add life to the structure which Ranges are shades of black
through to white.
2. Honed concrete blocks form a grid between Units and panels of textured and
smooth Precast concrete alternate with wall to wall and Floor to ceiling aluminum
joinery.
3. The palette of materials is rigorously robust and monotone - providing a rich
tapestry of textures and forms which are assembled to create a secure environment
for living.
4. Accessible entry by the way of a ramp has been provided at the main entrance.
5. High thermal mass of the building (pre-cast concrete elements and concrete
block work) contribute towards minimizing temperature fluctuations within
apartments and help delay and reduce solar heat gain.
6. A variety of louvers, sunshades and sun filter blinds can be adjusted by residents
to provide the desired level of sunlight and privacy

21. INTERNATIONAL CASESTUDY CONCLUSION
DISADVANTAGE
. A variety of louvers, sunshades and sun filter blinds can be adjusted by residents
to provide the desired level of sunlight and privacy. Shelters the balconies are not
provided so the clients provide it by them self .