Space planning has always played an important role in maximizing the floorprint in multi-residential developments, but as we see the growing market for smaller and smaller units, space is something that needs to be more carefully considered and planned.

In essence, space planning is about the organisation of interior space to provide the most efficient and commercially viable use of a building’s internal layout and to add value without cutting back on the quality expected by buyers.

Why is space planning important?

As the demand for multi-residential developments skyrockets in major capital cities across the globe, especially for larger-scale prime multi-residential projects, such as luxury high-rise apartments, the need for space planning has never been more necessary.  

For residential developers there is the need to maximize space in whatever is the most suitable apartment size and to achieve the maximum price for each unit – and this is where space planning can lead to significantly higher ROI.

More often than not a smaller unit can command a higher price per square metre but also has the advantage of a greatly improved price point affordability. However super prime, or ‘uber’, developments, will buck the trend and obtain an even greater price per square metre where this market still demands, and can afford larger apartments.

Space planning in the global arena

In London, for example, there has been a significant rise in developers requiring the services of an expert space-planning team to overcome the challenges of converting existing buildings, such as historical buildings and existing office towers, for residential use. In such cases, existing circulation cores, floor-to-floor heights and little flexibility of window positioning have a substantial bearing on the internal layouts and potential gains to be made on each dwelling.

In Singapore, where heights aren’t an issue but building footprint certainly is, we’ve seen an increasing trend for higher floor to floor designs but where mezzanines are built for libraries in living areas and beds are raised to allow space and studys below.

Maximizing utilization of space to include study nooks, storage, media and potential multiuse of these spaces also need to be considered in the planning process.

Lastly, space planning should take into account the demographic and cultural background of the buyers the development seeks to attract, and add space that is highly targeted to appeal to that particular demographic. They will also look at optimising the use of materials and construction methods that are less labour intensive and other ways to reduce overall building costs.

With financial and aesthetic benefits, space planning could be a vital component of your next residential development.

The best results, as always, come from the collaboration of the developer, architects, interior designer and marketing agent who advises on the buyers and their wants.