HEIGHT OF YOUR NEW BUILDING
If you have money and the desire to build you may even think about
a high riser, or a multi-story building. Or you may be an ordinary
person with few hundred thousand rupees of affordability who is
thinking about a house . But, is your building project allowed?
Is it feasible? Think about the following factors.
01. User Requirements
What Kind of a building do you really need? If you need a house,
you may probably go for a single story or a two-story building.
If you are building a small shopping mall, you may probably go
for 2-4 storied building. But if you are planing to build and
rent for offices, you could go for a multi-story building. So,
before deciding on what to build, clarify your needs.
02. Area needed
What would be your floor area requirement? For a house, it is
the usual practice to build around 3000sq.ft. If you want more
than 3000sq.ft, you have to design it as a two-unit house. If
you are planing to build a shopping mall, office complex, apartment
etc. first make a rough assessment about the floor area requirement.
Will there be a demand for you to sell or rent your building?
Will there be enough buyers? If there were, what would be the
price that you will be able to rent them out ? Finally, will it
be a profitable idea to carry on your project?
03. Land value
If you are building in an area like Colombo fort, where the land
value is very high, it is favorable to go for a multi- story building.
In such a case, you most probably can rent out your excess floor
area to a profitable rate. But if your land is at a distant area,
nobody will be there to buy your excess floor area. So in such
a case don't go for compact buildings.
04. Context
Architecturally, your new building should suit the surrounding
building, which is referred to as the context. If it is an area
where all the buildings are two storied. It may be favorable to
go for another two-story building. You can even build to contrast
the existing context. As these factors are purely architectural,
it is favorable for you to seek the help of a professional.
05. Regulations
Regulations also go with the number of levels in a building. For
example in an area, which is close to an airport, the height is
restricted by the local authority. And in some cities the local
authority restricts height of buildings. For example, in Kandy
you are not allowed to build higher than the sacred temple of
tooth relic.
There
are some areas in Sri Lanka, which are meant for high risers,
take echelon drive as an example. So always be careful enough
to check with the local authority for building regulations when
you decide on the number of levels in your building.
