6.4.1.1 - Group A: Residential Buildings
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Fundamental Principles of Building Planning
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

To start, what do you think are the key elements that make up a building's plan?

Maybe the layout of the rooms? Like how they connect with each other?

Exactly! It's essential to consider the **functional object and requirements** of the building. Aside from room connections, what else can influence building planning?

The shape of the land or the plot where the building is constructed?

Correct! The shape of the plot and its **topography** play significant roles. Another crucial aspect is what? Think about climate.

Ah! The climatic conditions can affect the design too!

Perfect! When we collectively consider these aspects, we adhere to the **principles of planning**. Remember: Functional, Plot Shape, Climate. Let’s remember with the acronym: **FPC** - Functional, Plot Shape, Climate.

That’s a good way to remember it!
Classification of Residential Buildings
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

Now, let’s talk about the classification of residential buildings. Who can list some types of residential buildings?

There are detached, semi-detached, and row houses?

Correct! But let’s go deeper. What about multi-storey classifications?

We have low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise, right?

Yes! And don’t forget about skyscrapers and super tall buildings. Can anyone differentiate between them?

Sure! A high-rise building has between 12 to 40 storeys, while a skyscraper exceeds 40 storeys, and a super tall building goes beyond 300 meters!

Well done! Remember that these classifications help in determining the building’s design and compliance with codes.
Building Codes and Regulations
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

Let's discuss building codes, particularly the National Building Code of India. How do you think these codes impact residential buildings?

They ensure safety and proper construction, right?

Yes, very much! They define minimum plot sizes, frontages, and open spaces. What about the minimum front open space based on street width?

Uh, I think it starts from 1.5 meters for streets up to 7.5 meters wide?

Exactly! Keep this min spacing in mind when designing. It’s a legal requirement crucial in architectural planning.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section details the essential principles governing building planning, the types and classifications of residential buildings including their plot sizes, frontages, open spaces, and relevant building codes as per the National Building Code of India.
Detailed
Group A: Residential Buildings
In this section, we focus on the core principles of building planning and the categorization of residential buildings outlined within the framework of the National Building Code of India. Key principles include functional requirements, relationships between spaces, environmental impacts of site characteristics, and the essential regulations that govern minimum plot size and permissible building coverage. For effective building design and planning, knowledge of various classifications of residential structures, such as low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings, is also crucial. Understanding these principles is not only fundamental for developing effective designs but also ensures compliance with safety, aesthetic, and functional standards in architecture.
Youtube Videos










Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Overview of Group A: Residential Buildings
Chapter 1 of 5
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
• Group A : Residential Buildings
• Group B : Educational Buildings
• Group C : Institutional Buildings
• Group D : Assembly Buildings
• Group E : Business Buildings
• Group F : Mercantile Buildings
• Group G : Industrial Buildings
• Group H : Storage Buildings
• Group I : Hazardous Buildings
Detailed Explanation
This section introduces Group A as part of the classification of buildings, specifically focusing on residential buildings. Here, Group A is outlined alongside other groups, such as educational, institutional, assembly, business, mercantile, industrial, storage, and hazardous buildings. Each group serves different purposes, indicating a structured way to categorize buildings based on their functions and use cases.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this classification as a toolbox, where each tool serves a different function. For example, a hammer is for driving nails, while a screwdriver is for turning screws. Similarly, each category like 'residential' or 'educational' indicates a specific use for the building, helping planners and builders decide what is appropriate for each setting.
Classifications of Residential Buildings
Chapter 2 of 5
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Different types of residential buildings, plot size, and their frontages:
Types of Residential | Plot size in m² | Frontage in m
Detached Building | Above 250 | Above 12
Semi Detached Building | 125-250 | 8-12
Row type Building | 50-125 | 4.5-8
Note: Minimum frontage on any street is 6m; for row housing, it may be 5.5m.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk discusses the different classifications of residential buildings based on plot size and frontage, providing specific criteria for each type. Detached buildings require larger plots and frontages compared to semi-detached and row type buildings. These guidelines ensure that buildings are spaced adequately to maintain aesthetic and functional standards. The note clarifies minimum requirements for street frontages to promote accessibility and urban planning efficiency.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine trying to park your car in a parking lot with poorly designed spaces. Just as having adequate space between parked cars allows you to open doors and maneuver safely, these building regulations ensure enough space between buildings for privacy, access, and overall livability in residential areas.
Open Space Requirements
Chapter 3 of 5
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Minimum Front open space to be provided:
Width of street in front of plot in m | Front open space minimum in m
Up to 7.5m | 1.5
7.5 to 18 | 3.0
18 to 30 | 4.5
Above 30 | 6.0
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, the importance of providing a front open space in residential planning is highlighted. The amount of required open space varies based on the width of the street in front of the property. As streets become wider, the required front open space also increases. This ensures that there is adequate breathing room between buildings and streets, improving aesthetics and functionality.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a playground with lots of open space compared to a congested street. The open space allows kids to run freely and have fun without bumping into things. Similarly, front open space in residential areas provides separation between private homes and public streets, enhancing safety and comfort for the residents.
Permissible Plinth Area in Residential Plots
Chapter 4 of 5
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Permissible Plinth Area (Covered area) in Residential Plots:
Area of Plot | Max. Permissible covered area
< 200 m² | 66.66% of plot area
201 to 500 m² | 50% of the plot area
501 to 1000 m² | 40% of the plot area
1000 m² | 33.33% of the plot area
Detailed Explanation
This section outlines the maximum permissible covered area for various plot sizes in residential zones. It specifies what percentage of each plot can be covered by structures. The percentages decrease as the plot size increases, which encourages a balance between built-up area and open space for activities, gardens, or landscaping.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a large pizza divided into slices. If you have a small pizza, you get a bigger slice; but as the pizza gets larger, each slice becomes proportionately smaller to ensure shared enjoyment without overwhelming the plate. This reflects how larger plots promote a balanced approach to building size versus open space.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Chapter 5 of 5
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Floor Area Ratio:
- Floor area ratio (FAR) = Total covered area of all floors / plot area
- FAR : 1 to 2 depending on type of construction
- Maximum building height = (1.5 x width of abutting road) + front open space
Detailed Explanation
This chunk introduces the concept of Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which indicates how much built-up area is allowed in relation to the size of the plot. It influences not just how much a builder can construct but also impacts urban density and planning. The formula for maximum building height suggests a methodical way to establish height limits based on road width, ensuring proper access and safety.
Examples & Analogies
Think of FAR as a recipe for baking cookies. If your recipe says to use a specific amount of flour for a certain batch size, you can’t just keep adding flour without increasing other ingredients. Similarly, FAR ensures that the amount of constructions (like floors in a building) corresponds to the size of the land, maintaining balance in a neighborhood.
Key Concepts
-
Building Planning: The systematic arrangement of a building's components.
-
National Building Code: Regulations ensuring building safety and standards.
Examples & Applications
An example of a low-rise building is a single family home, and a high-rise could be an apartment building with over 12 floors.
Row houses are examples of semi-detached buildings, as they share walls with adjacent homes.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
To build it right, keep in sight, the plot, the shape, and climate’s might.
Stories
Imagine a community where each house is perfectly aligned with nature’s song—homes lifted in the sun's light and shaded in the depth of night, thanks to careful planning.
Memory Tools
Remember 'FPC' - Functional, Plot shape, Climatic conditions for application in planning.
Acronyms
To classify buildings, remember L-M-H-S-S
Low-rise
Mid-rise
High-rise
Skyscraper
Super tall.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Functional Object
The intended purpose and uses of a building.
- Climatic Conditions
The weather patterns that influence building design.
- Plot Shape
The physical shape and dimensions of land designated for construction.
- Multistorey
Buildings with more than one floor.
- National Building Code of India
Regulations and codes governing building construction and standards in India.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.