DESIGN CHALLENGES OF SOLVING CIRCULAR GEOMETRY IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

A dimensional geometrical shape such as a circular shape has been established all throughout the history of building design planning in order to find out the suitable arrangements for the living spaces: One of the most unusual designs planning in architecture is circular planning. Moreover, residential buildings that contain a circular plan are not built that frequently as well, but they still are a part of architecture since prehistoric times. Unfortunately, there are significant issues in such buildings, such as a structural challenge within the design module with orientation problems. In other words, there is a missing of the optimum use of space with acoustic problems including difficulties of furnishing. This paper therefore aims to provide the evidence that the geometry of a tiny minority of residential buildings are circular, and it questions why this is so. In addition, it intends to encourage the use of this type of buildings and to propose innovative design methods that can be applied in the circular residential buildings, trying to justify the architectural spaces to fit with the curvilinear walls and the recognition of the advantages produced within such buildings. To achieve this aim, this paper will begin by presenting literature review, based on desk research, carried out by re-reading the philosophical background of circular plans and its function. After that, the paper will theoretically highlight the historical use of circular-plan residential buildings, and will clarify the solution of design module, structural and services’ cores, circulation between apartments, terraces, and external walls, within the curvy design. The paper will investigate two case studies such as “Tour Lumière” 2017 by Jacques Ferrier in France, Paris and “Edelweiss Residence” 2010 by Matteo Thun & Partners in Austria as a consequence to comprehend their project's concept and how they solved the circular form of their buildings.