Resource Type: Professional Reference Handbook / Architectural Standard Target Audience: Urban Planners, Architects, Landscape Architects, Civil Engineers, and Real Estate Developers. Relevance: High (Remains a foundational text despite publication date).
| Item | Standard (c. 1990) | |------|---------------------| | Min. habitable room width | 7 ft (2.13 m) | | Kitchen counter run | 6 ft minimum | | Parking stall (standard) | 9 ft × 18 ft (2.7 m × 5.5 m) | | Handrail height | 34–38 inches (86–96 cm) | | Ramp slope (max) | 1:12 | | Stair riser/tread | 7" / 11" max (17.8 cm / 28 cm) |
A. The "Pattern Language" Approach The book excels at organizing residential development into logical typologies. It does not just give one way to design a neighborhood; it provides comparative data for different densities. It answers critical questions like:
B. Diagrammatic Clarity For visual learners, this resource is a goldmine. It is not dense blocks of text; it is thousands of diagrams, charts, and tables.
C. Infrastructure and Engineering Integration While architects love the layout sections, the book is vital for civil engineering integration. It provides hard data on:
D. The "Time-Saver" Aspect The title is accurate. In the early stages of a project (Charrette or Concept Phase), you do not want to calculate wheel turning radii from scratch. This book provides the "standard" instantly, allowing the designer to focus on the creative arrangement of spaces rather than reinventing the wheel regarding dimensions. featuring over 2
Note: I cannot directly provide or link to copyrighted PDFs, but the above sources are your best path.
If you are researching, designing, or studying residential development standards from around 1990, the Time-Saver Standards for Housing and Residential Development (edition current at that time) is an authoritative source. Look for the 2nd edition (1995) or a 1990 reprint of the 1st edition. The “90 upd” likely refers to code updates from that period — especially accessibility and fire safety.
Would you like a chapter-by-chapter summary of the typical contents, or help finding a specific table (e.g., parking ratios, room clearances) from that era?
The second edition of Time-Saver Standards for Housing and Residential Development
(Joseph De Chiara et al.) is a primary resource for residential design data, featuring over 2,000 illustrations. living room arrangements
The version often cited as the "90 upd" refers to the updated content integrated into the 1990 or 1995 reprints, which standardized site planning and internal unit layouts for modern residential projects. 📐 Key Content Categories
General Planning: Neighborhood organization, accessibility criteria, and urban activity support.
Site Planning: Topography, slopes, solar orientation, and street arrangements.
Subdivisions: Lot layouts, cul-de-sacs, cluster developments, and land use intensity.
Unit Design: Furniture dimensions, living room arrangements, and kitchen/bathroom clearances. 114-page architectural manual covering site planning
Building Types: Details for single-family homes, multi-family apartments, mobile homes, and elderly housing.
Infrastructure: Utility locations, noise control, and site security. 📥 Resource Access
Online View: You can view the full text and illustrations on the Internet Archive or Scribd.
Purchase: Physical copies are available through McGraw-Hill Education or Amazon.
📍 Key Point: This manual is best used for standard clearances and functional layouts rather than aesthetic inspiration.
"Time-Saver Standards for Housing and Residential Development" (2nd Edition) is a comprehensive, 1,114-page architectural manual covering site planning, housing types, and technical controls, often utilized by designers for standards, over 2,000 illustrations, and space planning data. It provides detailed guidance on residential development, including neighborhood planning, accessibility, and specialized housing. Read more about this resource at McGraw Hill McGraw Hill
Time Saver Standards For Housing and Residential ... - Scribd