The Roof Gardens
The Roof Gardens by Ollier Smurthwaite Architects for DeTrafford Estates. The perimeter block layout and back-to-back dwellings delivers a site layout which responds to the
Apartments
Elevation and Proportion
Introduction
The design of apartments should take cues from the surrounding context and consider the opportunities for design detail and expression through tools such as the grouping of windows and entrances to bring composure and rhythm to the building facade.
The use of pitched roofs and creatively designed roofscapes is encouraged. Where part of a larger development, the elevation treatment and materials used in facades should be congruous with the rest of the development.
Features of apartment elevation and proportion
- Elevation influenced by surrounding buildings
- Well-proportioned width and height of neighbouring dwellings
- A rhythm of elevations is created on the street
- Good size and well positioned windows relevant to the elevation
- A coherent structure that is readable
- Active ground floor
AEP 1
Surrounding context
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
The scale of apartment blocks must reflect the surrounding context and achieve appropriate height and width proportions.
Description
Take design cues from the surrounding context when considering the scale of your apartment block. Trafford’s housing demonstrates simple methods for correct elevation and roof proportions, window size and rhythm along a street. The contextThe context includes the immediate surroundings of the site, the neighbourhood in which it sits and the wider setting. The context may include the physical surroundings of topography, movement patterns and infrastructure, built form and uses. An understanding of the context, history and character of an area must influence the siting and design of new development. More of each site is unique and must be continued and referenced in your design. An architect will be able to achieve the perfect balance of proportion when choosing the width and height of your project.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Dcouments required:
- Context characterCharacter includes all of the elements that go to make a place, how it looks and feels, its geography and landscape, its noises and smells, activity, people and businesses. This character should be understood as a starting point for all development. Character can be understood at three levels; the area type in which the site sits, its surroundings and the features of the site. More appraisal (may form part of the Design and Access Statement)
Examples
AEP 2
Coherent appearance
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
There should be a rhythm to the composition of of windows, balconies, entrances and other details within the elevation. Elevations must be coherent so they are aesthetically pleasing and can be easily understood when viewed.
Description
Look to the site context to understand how the facade of your project will need to reference that of its neighbours to create a rhythm. Pick up on the spacing between window openings, projecting elements or roof detailsThe details of a building are the individual components and how they are put together. Some are a deliberate part of the appearance of a building, including doors, windows and their surrounds, porches, decorative features and ironmongery. Others are functional, although they can also contribute to the appearance of a building. These include lighting, flues and ventilation, gutters, pipes and other rainwater details. Detailing affects the appearance of a building or space and how it is experienced. It also affects how well it weathers and lasts over time. More to see how that rhythm can be continued. Consider how stair and lift cores are detailed on elevations. Traditional buildings throughout the Borough exhibit best practice elevation and proportion and this should be continued in the development of apartment blocks. Apartments with well balances proportions and window sizes are visually appealing and filled with daylight.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Elevations
- Floor plans
- Facade Design Analysis
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement
Examples of creating coherent elevations
Composition and arrangement of window openings
Forward projections in building profile
Repeated architectural detailsThe details of a building are the individual components and how they are put together. Some are a deliberate part of the appearance of a building, including doors, windows and their surrounds, porches, decorative features and ironmongery. Others are functional, although they can also contribute to the appearance of a building. These include lighting, flues and ventilation, gutters, pipes and other rainwater details. Detailing affects the appearance of a building or space and how it is experienced. It also affects how well it weathers and lasts over time. More
Symmetry of neighbouring facades
Vertical proportion of window openings
Horizontal proportions and replicated roof form
AEP 3
Articulation
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Facades must incorporate depth and articulationArchitectural composition in which elements and parts of the building are expressed logically, distinctly, and consistently. More to add interest and relief to buildings.
Description
Applicants should avoid flat, featureless and monotonous buildings. The articulationArchitectural composition in which elements and parts of the building are expressed logically, distinctly, and consistently. More of facades is essential to animate larger elevations. Apartment blocks must introduce a combination of recessed and projecting elements in their design to create depth and articulationArchitectural composition in which elements and parts of the building are expressed logically, distinctly, and consistently. More of facades, using the local context as reference.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Elevations
- Floor plans
- Facade Design Analysis
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement
Examples
Façade articulationArchitectural composition in which elements and parts of the building are expressed logically, distinctly, and consistently. More: Further visual depth can be achieved through articulating facades with brick detailsThe details of a building are the individual components and how they are put together. Some are a deliberate part of the appearance of a building, including doors, windows and their surrounds, porches, decorative features and ironmongery. Others are functional, although they can also contribute to the appearance of a building. These include lighting, flues and ventilation, gutters, pipes and other rainwater details. Detailing affects the appearance of a building or space and how it is experienced. It also affects how well it weathers and lasts over time. More, window surrounds and doorways
AEP 4
Separation distances (existing areas)
CODE
Description
Exceptions
Compliance
CODE
In existing areas, the layout of apartments must ensure that privacy and amenity standards for occupiers and residents of existing developments is safeguarded. The following separation distances must be provided between major facing windows across private gardens and between apartment blocks: Up to 2 storey – 24 metres; 3 to 4 storey – 27 metres; 5+ storey – 30 metres.
Applies to: Suburbs, Rural and Villages, Green Belt and River Valleys.
Description
Apartment layouts must take account of the privacy of existing and future occupiers. Where development is proposed in existing neighbourhoods, care must be taken not to compromise the privacy and amenityThe desirable or useful features of a building or place which support its ongoing use and enjoyment by building occupants, residents, visitors, workers etc. It is usually understood to mean visual and aural amenity. Factors relevant to amenity include the general characteristics of the locality (including the presence of any feature of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest), daylight, sunlight, outlook, privacy, air quality, effects of wind, odour, noise and vibration. Amenity should be preserved, so potential impacts need to be assessed and managed. More standards of existing occupiers.
Exceptions
In ‘Suburbs’, where a scheme does not affect existing residential properties, and the contextThe context includes the immediate surroundings of the site, the neighbourhood in which it sits and the wider setting. The context may include the physical surroundings of topography, movement patterns and infrastructure, built form and uses. An understanding of the context, history and character of an area must influence the siting and design of new development. More is appropriate, the ‘New Places’ separation distances may be applied.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Development types:
- Infill development should correspond with separation distances generally experienced by neighbouring properties, taking into account any increase in height.
Area types:
- Does not apply in New Places
Documents required:
- Site plans
- Floor plans
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement
Examples of applying separation distances
Shadow studies taken on 21st March between 9am and 4pm on a north facing plot
Two storey apartments; 24m between major facing windows across private gardens
Four storey apartments; 27m between major facing windows across private gardens
Six storey apartments; 30m between major facing windows across private gardens
AEP 5
Separation distances (new places)
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
In ‘New Places’, the layout of apartments must ensure that privacy and amenityThe desirable or useful features of a building or place which support its ongoing use and enjoyment by building occupants, residents, visitors, workers etc. It is usually understood to mean visual and aural amenity. Factors relevant to amenity include the general characteristics of the locality (including the presence of any feature of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest), daylight, sunlight, outlook, privacy, air quality, effects of wind, odour, noise and vibration. Amenity should be preserved, so potential impacts need to be assessed and managed. More standards of occupiers are safeguarded. A minimum of 18 metres must be provided between facing windows for buildings of up to and including six storeys in height. Buildings that exceed six storeys in height must provide a separation distance of 21 metres.
Applies to: High Rise, High Density and New Places – Low Rise, Low Density.
Description
In ‘New Places’ there is a greater degree of flexibility in the required level of separation distances context / height of building could dictate that a greater distance is required.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Area types:
- Does not apply in ‘Suburbs’, ‘Rural and Villages’ or ‘Green Belt and River Valleys’.
- In New Places – 1-6 storeys minimum 18m between facing windows; 7 storeys + minimum of 21m between facing windows.
Documents required:
- Site plans
- Floor plans
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
AEP 6
Communal entrances
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Communal main entrances must be: formed in the principal elevation; clearly articulated; well detailed; accessible from the main highway by foot; well-lit; integral to the overall architecture of the building; and, finished in robust materials.
Description
Entrances must be legible, safe, incorporate secure entry facilities and provide a clear transition between public and private areas. Use the building form to emphasise the entrance and use design features such as splays and recesses to create interest and shelter. Building signage and numbering should be bespoke and integrated into the design of the building and entrance in robust and permanent materials.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Material schedule
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement
Examples
AEP 7
Private entrances
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Where individual entrances to ground level dwellings are achievable they must articulate the principal elevation and animate the street.
Description
The provision of individual entrances delivers an animated street sceneAll spaces and features which form the street environment, including buildings, street furniture, fittings and finishes and green infrastructure and open spaces. More and active frontageMaking frontages ‘active’ adds interest, life and vitality to the public realm. This means:
• frequent doors and windows, with few blank walls;
• narrow frontage buildings, giving vertical rhythm to the street scene;
• articulation of facades, with projections such as bays and porches incorporated, providing a welcoming feeling; and, on occasion,
• lively internal uses visible from the outside, or spilling onto the street.
More. Individual entrances also provide residents with a sense of pride.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Material schedule
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement
Examples
Apartment elevation and proportion case studies
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Kings Crescent
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Portobello Square
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ARC, Sydney
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