Chapter 4: Independence Unit Layout Design (Updated on 22/11/2017)
Chapter 4: Independence Unit Layout Design Neighborhood atmosphere is important in remaining one to be social active. However, maintaining appropriate social boundaries is essential for a person to relax and feel at ease. Space and privacy is important for a people to be alone as it helps to avoid one from the psychological burden. Therefore, the idea of independence unit to be built within the social co-housing is aimed to create and highlight the private boundary to the users besides keeping the ease of socialization with people around. This idea is inspired from the development of traditional Chinese courtyard house, Siheyuan. It was designed occasionally for the extended family system, typically with three generations. Houses in Siheyuan are independent for the each family group, bringing the means of privacy and freedom. It is built within an enclosed compound with the inward-facing houses at four sides. Figure 26 shows the spatial planning of the traditional C