Planning flats people want to live in
Buyers in Lahore judge a flat quickly: is the lounge a usable shape, does every bedroom get daylight, can the kitchen take a proper cooking range, and is there space to dry laundry? Small details like a utility balcony, a separate guest toilet and storage near the entrance often matter more than an extra few square feet.
Planning flats around a central core usually gives the most efficient floor, but corner units and units with two outside walls command better prices. Your architect can show how swapping one unit type for another changes both sellable area and appeal.
- Avoid bedrooms that open directly off the lounge where privacy matters
- Give every flat cross-ventilation where the plot allows
- Plan space for air conditioner outdoor units so facades stay tidy
- Keep water tanks, meters and shafts accessible for maintenance
Penthouse Design
A penthouse sits on the top floor and is usually the most valuable unit in the building. It earns that value through views, privacy, larger rooms and outdoor space such as a terrace or roof garden. Designing it well can lift the image of the whole project.
Penthouse planning starts with the roof. Water tanks, lift machine rooms and solar panels compete for the same space as a terrace, so the architect needs to organise them so they do not spoil the outlook. Waterproofing and insulation over the penthouse also deserve extra attention, because it carries the heat of the sun more than any floor below.
Some penthouses use a duplex layout, with living rooms on one level and bedrooms above. Others keep everything on one floor with a wrap-around terrace. Check with your authority what roof structures and height are allowed before promising buyers a two-level unit.
- Plan a private lift lobby or entrance where possible
- Design terrace drainage and waterproofing in detail
- Use shading and insulation to manage roof heat
- Position services so they do not block terrace views
Structure, parking and safety
Parking often decides the whole scheme. A basement adds cost and needs a soil test and careful structural design, while stilt parking at ground level uses up space that could be shops or flats. Your architect and engineer should compare both early.
Fire escape routes, stair widths, emergency lighting and access for fire vehicles must follow the approving authority's requirements. Confirm current rules with LDA, the Cantonment Board or your society, as they differ and are updated over time.