Increasing Sociability with Flexible Design of Public Spaces of Residential Complexes

Dwelling is a place for human comfort, which should respond to all of his physical, mental, and psychological demands. The importance of flexibility of residential spaces results in building appropriate and desirable spaces that ensure the physical and mental health of human. Since social interactions are decreasing in the new era, its architecture seems to look for spaces that are appropriate for social interactions and correspond to the needs of their residents. In other words, it should be sufficiently flexible, leading to social interaction improvement. Regarding the importance of public spaces in residential complexes, this study intended to show the [importance] of flexibility of such spaces and the paths to flexibility and sociability. It also investigated whether or not the flexibility of public spaces improves dwelling quality.

The assessment of the components of flexibility of public spaces was done using interview and observation, and analysis of their results.

The use of flexibility in residential units, in different stages, provides the possibility of adapting people's residences to their changing needs and specific culture, which can include different potentials for implementing changes. Also, by reducing the side costs of moving and with an optimal and responsive design, it increases productivity and economic savings and increases the useful life of residential buildings. In addition, it can be a solution to reduce confusion in functions, anonymity in form and general disorder of residential units that are designed for undefined audiences.

 Findings of this study suggested that there was a direct relationship between the degrees of flexibility and sociability of public spaces.