NEIGHBOURHOOD CHARACTER - THE ARCHITECTS ROLE May 2001 RETURN
The inner suburbs - twenty years on ans the demand for period homes has not abates and is not likely to for years to come. The reasons are many and varied, just as are the people who dwell in these inner urban areas. However, all agree that it is an intrinsic quality to the homes that draws them, like a magnet, to search out and buy that wonderful "Federation" nestled in a tree lined street, just minutes away from the city centre.
An integral part of that image is the "Neighbourhood Character" of the street and suburb of your choice and how that character is maintained and enhances over years to come. This is a major plank of the State Government changes set out in the new Res Code 2000, in its effort to get the balance right between the "keeping everything taht is old" Heritage perspective and providing a viable development framework for new and innovative architecure.
Broadly, the "Neighbourhood character overlays" allow Council to define the footprint and architectural style of a particular street and/or area and anyone wishing to develop, build or renovate in such areas would be required to give due consideration to the existing "flavour" and develop sympathetic architectural solutions.
The Architect's role is to interpret and develop solutions for their clients that provide the best "Community" outcomes of diversity,richness and amenity. It is a role that has not been considered necessary in much of the residentail infill; building in recent past, resulting in the development of ill-fitted buildings that look completely out of place and harm the value of the area in which it is built. Using their specific skills to guide the qualitative process from a design perspective, they are able to work with their clients and Local Councils to improve the aesthetic quality and amenity of housing.
Providing design solutions in a consultative framework with all other "players" is integral to getting it right. Ultimately, "getting it right" is what we want.
The inner suburbs - twenty years on ans the demand for period homes has not abates and is not likely to for years to come. The reasons are many and varied, just as are the people who dwell in these inner urban areas. However, all agree that it is an intrinsic quality to the homes that draws them, like a magnet, to search out and buy that wonderful "Federation" nestled in a tree lined street, just minutes away from the city centre.
An integral part of that image is the "Neighbourhood Character" of the street and suburb of your choice and how that character is maintained and enhances over years to come. This is a major plank of the State Government changes set out in the new Res Code 2000, in its effort to get the balance right between the "keeping everything taht is old" Heritage perspective and providing a viable development framework for new and innovative architecure.
Broadly, the "Neighbourhood character overlays" allow Council to define the footprint and architectural style of a particular street and/or area and anyone wishing to develop, build or renovate in such areas would be required to give due consideration to the existing "flavour" and develop sympathetic architectural solutions.
The Architect's role is to interpret and develop solutions for their clients that provide the best "Community" outcomes of diversity,richness and amenity. It is a role that has not been considered necessary in much of the residentail infill; building in recent past, resulting in the development of ill-fitted buildings that look completely out of place and harm the value of the area in which it is built. Using their specific skills to guide the qualitative process from a design perspective, they are able to work with their clients and Local Councils to improve the aesthetic quality and amenity of housing.
Providing design solutions in a consultative framework with all other "players" is integral to getting it right. Ultimately, "getting it right" is what we want.