Honeycomb housing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In honeycomb housing small courtyard neighbourhoods of 5 to 16 cluster houses form

cul-de-sac communities of 42 houses or less, which in turn form part of a large r neighbourhood of up to 300 houses.[1] The honeycomb concept was first introduc ed in Malaysia as an alternative to terrace houses and the predominantly rectili near form of residential layouts. It seeks to offer a community lifestyle that m any Malaysians used to enjoy in their childhood but in an urban setting.[2] A small courtyard neighbourhood. A cul-de-sac community composed from three connected courtyards. A honeycomb neighbourhood. It can also be described as a new form of cul-de-sac layout. Contents [hide] 1 From Cul-de-sac to Honeycomb 2 Honeycomb Housing projects under construction 3 Criticism 4 References 5 Further reading From Cul-de-sac to Honeycomb [edit]

The residential blocks are divided into 2, 3, 4 or 6, creating duplex, triplex, quadruplex or sextuplex units. Honeycomb Layout Plan. Bird's eye view of a Honeycomb cul-de-sac. Perspective of quadruplex honeycomb house. Perspective of sextuplex honeycomb house. Cul-de-sacs are popular: they are perceived as being safer, more exclusive and n eighbourly. According to one study, between the grid , loops and cul-de-sacs, the lat ter were the most popular.[3] However, in developing countries like Malaysia, on ly the very rich can afford to live in quarter-acre single-family houses located in a cul-de-sac. The Honeycomb concept was a response to two questions: How can the cul-de-sac be made affordable for more people and for the environmen t? Is it possible to have cul-de-sacs without sprawl? First, the cul-de-sac is made bigger so as to fit in a public green area in the middle in order to meet local planning regulations that require 10% of any resid ential development to be open space. Then an interlocking arrangement of cul-desacs is created such that each building lot would face two or three cul-de-sacs. If the buildings in this layout were detached houses, they would be priced in t he top range of the market. But instead, the buildings are divided into 2, 3, 4 or 6, creating duplex, triplex, quadruplex or sextuplex units. As the buildings are divided, the land area and the built-up area become smaller ; the number of units in the layout and the density of the development go up to

rival that obtained in terrace house developments. In this way, the housing unit s become less expensive. Yet each house still retains a public access. The size and shape of the external environment are not changed only now more units share it[4]! Since houses are built around a small park with plentiful shady trees, this comm unal garden is easily accessible to all in the cul-de-sac, allowing it to act as a social focus that can interaction and encourage neighborly spirit.[5][6] The courtyard area is a defensible space as well, as it acts naturally to reduce c rime in the sense that strangers are quickly spotted. The short winding roads pu t a stop to speeding traffic, and certain to dissuade snatch thieves on motorcyc les - therefore becoming safe for children, pedestrians and cyclists.[7] Apart from the social advantages, it is also claimed that compared to the terrac e house layout, the honeycomb layout uses land efficiently and offers savings in the cost of infrastructure.[8] The honeycomb Layout may be said to be inspired from the geometrical design of I slamic tiles and the structure of beehives,.[9] Introduced by Kuala Lumpur based architect Mazlin Ghazali, it has received a patent in Australia [10] Honeycomb Housing projects under construction [edit] The honeycomb concept has been applied to a hillside development on 14 acres of land at Kampung Nong Chik the edge of Johor Bahru business district in a develop ment which advertises a modern version of the traditional village or kampong lifes tyle.[11] Criticism [edit] Being so new, many developers would worry about the difficulty of obtaining appr ovals from the local authorities and so hesitate to be the first to adopt the ho neycomb concept.[12] Another problem is that the houses are not rectangular and the house design ends up with odd corners in the house.[13] Another criticism co mes from followers fengshui , the ancient Chinese art of geomancy, who believe that in a cul-de-sac the chi energy coming to a house placed at the end of a road is usually fast, so the energy is pernicious and non-beneficial. Instead of bringin g good fortune, it brings misfortune .[14] Nowadays cul-de-sacs are often frowned upon in planning circles,[15] especially by supporters of the New Urbanism: they do not permit higher densities, are cardependent, and unlike grid systems, do not lend themselves to redevelopment and change. However the Honeycomb housing concept - which allows relatively high den sity - does appear to overcome some of the concerns here.[16] References [edit] ^ Mazlin Ghazali, Michael J.Durack, Mohd Peter Davis (2005), "Tessellation Plann ing and Honeycomb Housing", Planning Malaysia, Journal of the Malaysian Institut e of Planners Vol. 3 pp.71-98 [1] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ "Project Highlight: Nong Chik Heights Johor Bahru", Building and Investment, M alaysia, April May 2010 Issue, pp32-33 ^ Eran Ben-Joseph (1995), "Livability and Safety of Suburban Street Patterns: a Comparative Study", Working Paper 641, Berkeley, CA: University of California ^ Treehugger.com website, Design and Architecture, "Reinventing the Cul-de-Sac", by Lloyd Alter,7th April 2008 [2] Retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ New Straits Times, Malaysia, Property Times 4 June 2005 issue, "Building like a bee", by G.Umakanthan, 4th June 2005 [3] Retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ Habsah Hashim, "Harmonious Community Living in Urban Neighbourhoods: A Case of Central Shah Alam", 8th. International Asian Planning Schools Association Congr ess, September, 2005; p18 [4] Retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ Nikmatul Adha Nordin & Wan Rafyah Wan Muhd Zin, "Incorporating Children in Nei ghbourhood Design and Planning", International Asian Planning Schools Associatio n Congress, September, 2005; pp9 [5] Retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ Mazlin Ghazali, Mohd Peter Davis (December 2005), "Affordable Honeycomb Housin g", Architecture Malaysia: Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Architects Volu me 17 Issue 6 pp.36-40

^ Girvin.com website, "Design, Nature & Inspiration - the Form Language of Arthr opoda", by Tim Girvin, June 10, 2008 [6] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ IP Australia, "A method of subdividing a plot of land for housing and a housin g subdivision so formed", [7] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ George Lam (2009) , HA: ideas and Concepts , Pace Publishing Limited, Hong Kong; pp 166-168 ^ Nikmatul Adha Nordin & Wan Rafyah Wan Muhd Zin, "Incorporating Children in Nei ghbourhood Design and Planning", International Asian Planning Schools Associatio n Congress, September, 2005 [8] Retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ The Edge, Malaysia, City & Country: "Good take-up for unsold stock", by Jacqui Chan, Monday, 26 October 2009 [9] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ World of Feng Shui website, "What To Do If You Live In A Cul-De-Sac", by Lilli an Too [10] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ The Toronto Star, "End of the road for the cul-de-sac? Why planners and enviro nmentalists are waging war on suburbia's lollipop developments" by Peter Gorrie, Sat Mar 29 2008;[11] retrieved 25th September 2010 ^ Treehugger.com website, Design and Architecture, "Reinventing the Cul-de-Sac", by Lloyd Alter,7th April 2008 [12] retrieved 25th September 2010 Further reading [edit] Mohd Peter Davis, Nor Azian Nordin, Mazlin Ghazali (2006), "Thermal comfort Hone ycomb Housing", Universiti Putra Malaysia ISBN 983-3455-38-7 Categories: Planned residential developments Navigation menu Create accountLog inArticleTalkReadEditView history Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Donate to Wikipedia Interaction Help About Wikipedia Community portal Recent changes Contact Wikipedia Toolbox Print/export This page was last modified on 8 May 2012 at 20:13. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; add itional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and P rivacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-prof it organization. Privacy policyAbout WikipediaDisclaimersContact WikipediaMobile view