I have studied Italian colonial buildings in Gondar, Ethiopia, continuously since 2003. In my previous research, I clarified the total number of Italian colonial buildings, the concept of the Italian urban master plan, and the distribution, height, construction materials, construction methods, current conditions, and ownership status of Italian colonial buildings. Here, I focus on the spatial formations of and construction methods for Italian colonial residences and the divisional formation of Italian residential areas. During the colonial period, four Italian residential areas were constructed. These areas were distinguished clearly by dweller type in terms of profession: high officials, officials, soldiers, and civilians. Italian colonial residences involved three types of construction methods, i.e., prefabrication, masonry, and reinforced concrete construction, which are subdivided into 10 types of principal structure. The use of each type of principal structure was distinguished by the dwellers’ profession. Italian colonial residences involved three types of building, i.e., detached house, row house, and dormitory, and contained various rooms, e.g., living and dining rooms (L&D), bedrooms, kitchens, toilet and bathrooms, corridors, and verandas. Most residences had both verandas and corridors. Furthermore, Italian colonial residences involved seven types of layout; most were organized into three of the most common (“V→C→X, L&D”, “V→L&D→C→X,” and “V→L&D→X”. corridor (C); living and dining room (L&D); veranda (V); and bedroom, kitchen, toilet and bathroom, or other space (X)).
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