Developers market projects through their facade, sky pools and fancy facilities. Sean, who trained in architecture, argues that the design that matters to residents runs from town planning down to the corridor outside their door.
Which aspects of a building's design should affect a buying decision?
“it's way more than just facade”
Look beyond the facade and facilities, which are mostly marketing. Compare how you actually reach the building, the density, the lift-to-unit ratio, the corridor width and layout, and what sits on the plot next door. Unit layouts in a price range are similar because they follow the same efficiency formula.
Why
Being next to a big road isn't access
Traffic flows from highways to primary, secondary and local roads, so a project beside a major road may be reached only after several junctions. A rail line matters only if the station is near.
Rules shape what gets built
Density limits based on unit numbers push developers to build bigger units, which is one reason condos gave way to serviced apartments in mixed developments.
Corridors reveal the budget
Developers can't sell corridors, so they squeeze them. Some are about 1.2 metres; luxury projects allow about 2.25 metres, wide enough for two wheelchairs. Double-loaded corridors, with units on both sides, are more efficient but busier.
Facilities cost money to carry
A rooftop pool adds structural cost; one on the car park podium is cheaper. Ask whether a feature shaped like an 8 or a Jacuzzi would actually change your decision. The share of glass on a facade is a better sign of how premium a project is.
What to do
- Trace the route from the main road to the project entrance.
- Compare unit size, lift-to-unit ratio, units per floor and total units between projects.
- Measure corridor widths and check whether they are single- or double-loaded.
- Ask what is planned for the next plot: a cemetery, substation or water tank won't be mentioned.
- Check how the residential entrance is separated from shops and offices in mixed developments.
Editorial Note: Summarised from Sean Tan's full episode. The quoted answer is in his own words; the rest is our paraphrase. Figures reflect the recording date, so check current rates and rules before acting on them.
Does architecture affects your property buying decision?
Sources & Verification Data
Summarised from Sean's full English captions for this November 2019 video. Sean trained as an architect. The quoted line is verbatim; everything else is paraphrased.
