Apartment Typologies in Collective Housing and their Integration with the Space between Buildings. Case Study: typologies of residential complexes in Tirana before the 1990’s

The spatial distribution of spaces inside an apartment and the orientation and position of apartments, both inside the building, as well as in connection with surrounding spaces, are important factors contributing to the livability of the units, and the quality of life of the residents. This can be observed in many typologies of collective housing in Tirana, where the array of spatial layouts is both diverse, and strongly related to the urban and historical context. This paper explores some of the apartment typologies that emerged in Tirana in the period 1950-1990 and their impact on the well-being and quality of life of inhabitants of the respective housing blocks.