The use of apartment balconies: context, design and social norms

The role of a balcony is well recognised in the history of urban living. If designed carefully, balconies fit certain spatial and normative contexts and respond to residents’ needs. This study examines how balconies are used and what variables influence the variety and intensity of their usage. A non-participatory observation of 3000 balconies in Wrocław, Poland, was followed by interviews with relevant stakeholders. Key questions were: How do people adapt balconies to their personal needs and for what types of activities do they use balconies? Interviews (n = 41) were conducted with developers’ representatives, estates agents, architects and residents. Results indicate what kind of physical features (size, dimensions) or contextual features (orientation, exposure, community pattern) affect balconies’ usage. The residents’ activities performed on balconies and type of furniture are presented: their features, estate characteristics and surrounding context. Interviews with industry stakeholders reveal that developers and designers have a poor understanding of how balconies are actually used: their assumptions are that balconies are used for leisure and not for other functions. This research identifies and confirms the variety of balconies’ functions, and the most crucial features of well-designed balconies are adaptability and responsiveness to context.

Practice relevance

This research shows that balconies serve a variety of functions for inhabitants and can contribute to housing adaptability if designed well. However, the supply side (i.e. developers and designers) has a limited understanding of how the balconies’ adaptability might enhance urban living and respond to inhabitants’ needs. Key physical and contextual features are identified that are important to residents and the extent of adaptability they expect from their balconies. Some findings (e.g. most activities observed for a northern orientation) contradict existing industry beliefs. The main barrier within the supply side to create usable balconies is the lack of relevant communication with residents to understand their needs. The present research addresses this gap by providing developers and architects with ready-to-use material for creating evidence-based guidance.