28 Section 1 Architectural Drafting Fundamentals
provide greater security and may provide addi-
tional amenities, such as recreational areas.
Apartments have defi nite advantages for large
segments of the population. Renting is popular
with people who may not have the means to
buy property. Apartments offer many choices
of style, size, price range, and facilities. Another
advantage is that they require little time or effort
from the renter for upkeep and maintenance.
Disadvantages of rental apartments relate
mostly to loss of control over living space. Renters
have little or no voice in how the apartment
building is managed and maintained. Also,
money spent on rent is not applied toward owner-
ship. However, in spite of these disadvantages,
apartments are the best answer to the housing
needs of many people.
Trends in Architecture
Today’s architectural trends give the architect
a tremendous amount of freedom. Architectural
styles refl ect client requests for comfortable, envi-
ronmentally conscious living space. Architects
to some because it is the owner’s responsibility
to maintain the interior and the exterior of the
unit, including the yard.
Apartment
Any type of dwelling may be rented, but
apartments are the most common rentals. An
apartment is living space that is available for
rent. Rent is money paid in exchange for the
right to occupy and use the space. The tenant
(occupier) pays the owner or landlord a monthly
fee that is specifi ed in a lease (contract between
tenant and landlord). The lease also defi nes
additional rules and requirements, such as the
length of the lease, amount of security deposits,
and pet policies. See Figure 1-32.
Apartments are available in many types
of buildings. An apartment can be in a duplex
(a building with two units, both with separate
entrances), or in an apartment building containing
three or more units. In some cases, several apart-
ment buildings are planned and built at the same
time in a group called an apartment complex.
This option makes good use of the land; it helps
Linda Johnsonbaugh/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1-32. Apartment rentals appeal to many people because repairs and maintenance are the responsibility
of the apartment owner, rather than the people who rent the units.
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