Apartments
Form and Profile
Introduction
Apartment buildings can often be incongruous with the surrounding context. Therefore careful consideration is required when thinking about their elevation, form and profile.
Codes in this Section
Features of apartment form and profile
- Respect the surrounding scale and context
- Reference existing architectural features and roof form
- Ensure 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 spaces and windows have satisfactory levels of natural light.
AFP1
Scale, form and context
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
A context character appraisal must be carried out at the outset to establish the suitability of the site. Scale and form must reflect that of the surrounding site context.
Description
Developments within existing places will be required to reflect the established scale and form in the surrounding context in order to strengthen the visual 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 of existing places. Applicants should be creative and consider how the building responds to its context, creating buildings with interesting profiles avoiding conventional slab block solutions and flat, featureless and monotonous building forms.
Usually, apartment buildings will demand greater height and mass than conventional housing, which must first be justified through an analysis of the surrounding buildings, urban context and topography.
Apartment schemes in ‘New Places’ may be influenced by the wider context.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Area types:
In New Places 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 for new development may be able to be drawn more widely where there will be a complete change in 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 to the immediate surroundings as a result of the development.
Documents 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
Replicating scale; In certain situations it will be necessary to replicate the scale of width and heights of the surrounding context:
Gentle densification: There may be circumstances where gentle densification will be acceptable by increasing the height and width of apartments compared to the surrounding context
AFP2
Roof form
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Roof forms must reflect the surrounding site context.
Description
Varied roof forms which complement and enhance surrounding roofscape are encouraged. Pitched roofs are preferred. Pitched roofscapes add interest and variety to the 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 of the area.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Elevations
- Street scenes
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Examples
AFP3
Setbacks at roof level
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Where setbacks at roof level are used, the set back element must be designed as an integral part of the building using matching materials.
Description
Setbacks should not simply be used as a method of achieving additional height, should generally be applied on all sides of the building and the materials used should generally match those used on the rest of the building. Cladding solutions should be avoided.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Elevations
- Floor plans
- Ftreet scenes
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Examples
AFP4
Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
The scale and form of the building must be designed to allow daylight and sunlight into amenity spaces and buildings.
Description
Solar studies should be used to demonstrate that new development is in general compliance with the guidelines set out in the BRE guidance in terms the impacts of daylight, sunlight and overshadowing.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Area types:
- In New Places – High Rise, High Density it should be demonstrated how this element fits in with a masterplan or Design Framework for the site.
Documents required:
- Solar studies or BRE compliant Daylight and Sunlight Assessment if required by the Council’s adopted Validation Checklist.
Example of maximising sunlight and daylight levels to amenity space on north facing plot
The example shows how apartment building form, roof profile and placement has been designed to an appropriate density but also maximise sunlight to the rear 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 spaces on a north facing plot. There are gaps in the southern elevation and the communal spaceAn amenity space, usually a garden area in an apartment scheme, which can be accessed by all residents but not the public. More has been placed to north of plot to allow for maximum sunlight.
Shadow study taken on March 21st between 9am and 4pm
Communal open spaceOpen spaces forming part an estate or block intended for use by residents of the respective estate or block. They are distinguished from publicly accessible open spaces or other public land open to members of the public by clearly defined boundaries. More
Private garden space
Apartment form and profile case studies
Brandon Yard
Brandon Yard, Bristol by AWW Architects for Acorn Property and Galliard Homes Brandon Yard is a collection of fifty-eight homes located on Bristol’s floating harbour,
Portobello Square
Portobello Square, London by PRP Architects for Kensington Housing Trust (part of the Catalyst Housing Group) PRP was appointed by Catalyst Housing Ltd. for the
Botanical Avenue, Trafford
Botanical Avenue by Tim Groom Architects for Investar The proposal which fronts onto Talbot Road and sits adjacent to the Victorian Villa responds to the
Brentwood Locks
brentwood Lock West, London by Duggan Morris Mixed tenure housing along the waterfront, forming part of a five-year project to breathe new life into the
Carpenters Wharf
Carpenters Wharf, Hackney Whick by Studio Egret West Carpenters Wharf is a new mixed-useA well-integrated mix of different land uses which may include retail, employment,
