Principles of Organising a House

Principles of Organising a House

The factors to be considered while planning a house are aspect, prospect, privacy, grouping, roominess, furniture requirements,circulation, flexibility, sanitation and practical consideration.

i. Aspect

Aspect is the arrangement of doors and windows on the outside walls of a house which allows good breeze, sunshine and a good view of the nature. Aspect is also needed from hygienic point of view. With careful placement of windows, it is possible to admit sun's rays into any desired room. For example, kitchen should face the eastern side so that the morning sun's rays can purify air. Bed rooms should have southern aspect- either southeast or south west to facilitate enjoyment of good breeze. The living room can be north-east or south-east in its aspect.

ii. Prospect

It is the impression that the house creates on a person who views it from outside. It must be attractive in appearance, modern, cheerful and comfortable. A beautiful window, carved pillars, modern design on the walls and roof may add to the charm of the house.

iii. Privacy

Privacy is of two kinds-privacy of the entire house from the road side; privacy of each room from other rooms and from the entrance.

Privacy from outside can be gained by planting trees and growing creepers or having a compound wall. Privacy within the house can be obtained by proper arrangement of doors and windows. Privacy to bedrooms, toilets, water closets and dressing room is of utmost importance.

iv. Grouping

It is the arrangement of rooms in the house in respect to their relative positions and activities towards each other. The dining room close to the kitchen and living room, the living room near verandah, the toilet near bed room and so on. Grouping is based on convenience. 

v. Roominess

It is the spacious effect a room gives to those who live in. The available space should be fully made use of. One can have built in wall cupboard, shelves and storage area so that the floor of the room is left free for various activities. The same way the space under the staircase, window sill, area below the ceiling (attic) can be made use of for storage. In addition the size and shape of the room, the furniture arrangement as well as the colour scheme used, have a bearing over the roominess of the house.

vi. Furniture Requirement

The rooms must be planned with due thought to the furniture to be placed there. The type, the position, size and the number must be planned earlier in respect to the size and placement of doors, windows and built-ins in the room.

vii. Circulation

The circulation from room to room must be good. Good circulation means independent entry to each living space through a common space. It should provide privacy to the members and not to disturb any member doing his/her work in the room. Straight, short, direct passages must be provided. Circulation can be achieved by proper placement of the doors, grouping of the rooms and furniture arrangement.

viii. Flexibility

This means making use of a room originally designed for one purpose, for different purposes at various occasions. e.g. converting a living room to a dining hall during function, a back verandah near the kitchen to be used as play center for children, a dining room converted as child's study center or play center. Screens, cupboards, folding partitions may help to make a room flexible and serve more than one purpose.

ix. Sanitation

It includes provision of light and ventilation and attention to general cleanliness and sanitary conveniences. There should not be any room in a house without enough light. Ventilation must be adequate. It means supplying fresh air and evacuating polluted air. Opposite windows and doors as well as ventilators must be provided for easy movement of air. Sanitary conveniences as provision for drainage of waste water, disposal of refuse and human waste must be planned ahead.

x. Practical Considerations

One may have to take into consideration, while planning the house, the following practical points as strength, convenience, comfort, simplicity, beauty, possibilities of extending the house in future and above all economy.