If you’re thinking about living in an apartment, remember that you won’t have the same ability to change the space around to make it your own like you would with a house. This makes it especially important to know what really matters when you are apartment hunting. White Ink, Members of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, specialise in apartment design. Below they give their five top tips:
1. ASPECT AND ORIENTATION
Look at where the windows are, their size and what views you will have. An apartment with windows on two or more walls enhances the interiors by boosting natural light and allowing sunshine inside for more of the day. Floor to ceiling windows really improve how light and airy an apartment will feel.
If there are only windows facing one direction, then carefully consider the orientation of the individual rooms and how this will fit with your lifestyle. If it’s facing west you’ll get the best of the evening sun – great if you’re out working during the day and want to come home to a sunny room. South facing may sound ideal as it takes advantage of the midday sun, but some apartments with large windows can overheat if the glass has no solar control, even in Northern Ireland.
Look at the window sill height. Many of us view apartments whilst standing and don’t realise that you can’t see out when you sit down.
2. LOOK OUT FOR CLEVER DESIGN FEATURES
Don’t just look at the apartment - look at the whole building. More recent schemes are arranged around a central landscaped courtyard or have gardens and roof terraces providing valuable communal areas, and peaceful, tranquil spaces if they incorporate carefully selected plants and water features. Private balconies, no matter what size (although often the bigger the better), are great for relaxing and can feel like an extension to your living space. Do consider privacy - check if you might be overlooked by neighbours.
3. ACOUSTICS
Buying an apartment means you’re sharing a building, and with that comes the increased risk of unwanted noise, even though apartments are designed to meet stringent acoustic standards. Consider what noise generating spaces are located above and below the apartment, such as service entrances, lifts, lobbies, carparks and traffic. Also give some thought to your interior finishes - soft materials, blinds, curtains and carpet all help to absorb sound. Remember - if you have hard finishes the risk of noise is increased for your neighbours below unless acoustic layers are installed below the hard finish.
4. MATERIAL FINISHES
We all want to live in attractive buildings. As most apartment exteriors are managed jointly by owners, it’s important to realise that materials used in the design will affect the maintenance of the overall scheme and your apartment. Stone and brickwork for example require less maintenance than a rendered external façade which will need repainted. Aluminium powder coated windows will last longer than painted softwood. If the building is existing, the condition of its common areas will tell you a lot about how the building is cared for by residents.
5. SENSE OF COMMUNITY
A community spirit helps residents to connect with each other and creates a sense of security too. Check out if the apartment scheme you’re considering has a social media community page, for resident access only, to communicate, organise events etc. As well as the design of your living space and how you use it, the social aspect of apartment living will impact on your enjoyment of your new home.
Do your research, ask questions and visit at different times of the day. With adequate preparation and a critical eye, you can be confident that you’ll find a lovely home.
You can find out more about what an architect can do for you at www.rsua.org.uk and www.whiteink.co.uk
