Defining the strategies to attain Solitude in low rise apartments in order to improve residents' satisfaction (Case study: Tehran city)

Subject Areas : Theoretical foundations of architecture and urban planning

Azadeh Rezaei ^{1 *} , محمدرضا پورزرگر ² , Hadi Sadeghi ³ , Seyed Masoud Banihashemi ⁴

1 - PhD in Architecture, faculty of Architecture and urban planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad Uni, Tehran, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, Department of Architecture, faculty of Architecture and urban planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran,Iran.
3 - Department of Architecture ,Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.
4 - Master of Architecture, Yazd science and Arts university, Yazd, Iran.

Received: 2025-07-23 Accepted : 2025-09-11 Published : 2025-09-22

Keywords: Low-rise Residential Apartments, Solitude, Personal space, Satisfaction, Tehran city,

Abstract :

In recent years, the concept of “housing” has diverged from its original meaning, which was rooted in fulfilling a broad range of human biological, psychological, and social needs, and has instead been reduced to a minimal function—serving merely as a shelter for residence and rest. Over the past four decades, extensive economic, social, and physical transformations in Iran, particularly in Tehran, have significantly influenced both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of housing. One of the most notable effects has been the reduction of apartment sizes due to economic pressures, which has led to the integration of different functional spaces and, consequently, the erosion of privacy and personal retreat (“solitude”) for residents within residential environments.The present study aims to propose strategies for achieving privacy in low-rise residential apartments to enhance residents’ satisfaction. The research employs a descriptive–analytical and survey-based methodology. Findings derived from the Friedman test indicate that three key factors—“designing multifunctional spaces,” “harmony between design and environmental context,” and “residents’ attitudes toward modes of privacy-seeking”—hold the highest significance in ensuring privacy within apartment housing. The results further reveal a significant relationship between residents’ satisfaction and the realization of privacy in low-rise buildings. Moreover, improving the qualitative experience of privacy in small-scale apartments requires attention to functional, cultural, and social dimensions of design. Implementing flexible and multifunctional spaces, adapting design to residents’ behavioral needs, and incorporating cultural factors within the design process can play a vital role in enhancing living quality and promoting satisfaction with the residential environment.

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