ABSTRACT
Housing is a terminology that is used to describe any type of residence, dwelling, domicile, or habitation planned for living, and multi-unit housing is a type of accommodation that can house many families within one building or several buildings within one complex. Though the function is the same, there are many different types of multi-unit housing inhabited by many people across the world.
Housing typology refers to the classification of building types in terms of design, function, usage, and circumstance. It can be interpreted as the study of a shape or form of dwellings that evolves as a standard kind of habitable building, and social and spatial developments can affect the evolution of a housing type. Prevalent multi-unit housing types in certain cities have endured changes and have emerged and become establishred as the multi-unit housing type we know today.
The term multi-unit housing is an interchangeable term. Multi-unit housing is also known as multi-dwelling units, multi-unit dwelling, or multi-storey housing. Though all terms refer to the same housing typology, this book will use the term “multi-unit housing” throughout, and the case studies, diagrams, and drawings shown in the book are a small example of style and not focused on any one type of multi-unit housing.
The multi-unit housing types studied in this book are the Birmingham (UK) back-to-backs, London tenement, Haussmann apartment, New York tenement, Hong Kong tong lau, perimeter block, linear block, block-edge, solitaire, space-enclosing structure, Tokyo kyosho jutaku, and high-rise tower. Unit floor plan types studied in this book are corridor, dividing elements, centre living space, separated rooms, and circular path. Access types studied in this book are vertical, horizontal, and combination.
