Hulme Living Leaf Street Housing
Hulme Living Leaf Street Housing by Mecanoo for One Manchester The area around Leaf Street in Hulme, just outside Manchester city centre, has a history
Apartments
Plan and Layout
Introduction
Apartment buildings should sit in attractively landscaped grounds, providing both private and communal garden spaces at ground floor and/or podium level. Good quality internal and external environments must be provided for occupants to promote health and well-being. Car parking provision must be carefully sited and not dominate the site.
Floorplates should sit comfortably with the urban grainThe pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings in a settlement. The degree to which an area’s pattern of blocks and plot subdivisions is respectively small and frequent (fine grain), or large and infrequent (coarse grain). Urban grain is a key component of defining the character of a place., avoiding large ‘L’ or ‘T’ shaped blocks, the massing of which generally appear over-dominant.
Features of apartment plan and layout
- Entirely dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. apartments for increased daylight and ventilation
- ContextualThe 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. scale, materials and roof forms
- Active ground floor commercial and residential uses
- Large communal courtyard with separation between habitable windows
- Private front and rear gardens for ground floor apartments
- Roof terraces, balconies and communal deck spaces
- Gaps in frontage to allow sunlight, circulation and entrances
- Multiple street entrances
APL 1
Landscape strategy
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed layout has been informed by a Site Wide Landscape Strategy that includes landscaping proposals, sustainable drainage systems and biodiversity net gain requirements which comply with the best practice guide and coding requirements set out in the ‘Landscape and Nature’ section of this code.
Description
Nature contributes to the quality of a place, and to people’s quality of life. It is a critical component of well-designed places. Natural features are integrated into well-designed development. They include natural and designed landscapes, high quality public open spaces, 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. spaces, podium decks, street trees, and other trees, grass, planting and water. Trafford’s identityThe identity or character of a place comes from the way that buildings, streets and spaces, landscape and infrastructure combine together and how people experience them. is largely characterised by the extensive tree cover and mature planting across the Borough. These places have been created in the past through the bold visions of previous generations. To maintain this identityThe identity or character of a place comes from the way that buildings, streets and spaces, landscape and infrastructure combine together and how people experience them., it is important that this tradition is continued.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Area types:
- In New Places it should be demonstrated how this fits in with a masterplanor design framework for the whole of the place
Documents required:
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy (may be incorporated into the Design and Access Statement)
APL 2
Siting
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Apartment buildings must be sited in a manner that allows sufficient space to be provided between buildings to deliver appropriate provision of circulation routes, amenity space, public realm and tree planting.
Description
Landscape-led development by its nature delivers appropriate spacing between buildings allowing for well landscaped development including circulation routes, 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. space, public realm and tree planting.
Without appropriate spacing between buildings, apartment developments can appear cramped, over-dominant, indistinguishable from one another and at odds with the urban grainThe pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings in a settlement. The degree to which an area’s pattern of blocks and plot subdivisions is respectively small and frequent (fine grain), or large and infrequent (coarse grain). Urban grain is a key component of defining the character of a place..
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
Example of apartment block circulation
Built examples
APL 3
Separation distances (existing areas)
CODE
Description
Exception
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 main habitable 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. standards of existing occupiers.
Â
Apartments require a greater separation distance than houses due to the greater number of main habitable roomAny room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. windows on upper floors.
Exception
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. 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 inheight.
Area Types:
- Does not apply in New Places
- In town centres, separation distances will normally be dictated by the existing context
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
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;Â 30m between major facing windows across private gardens
APL 4
Separation distances (New Places)
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
In ‘New Places’, the layout of apartments must ensure that privacy and amenity standards of occupiers are safeguarded.
New Places – High Rise, High Density
A minimum of 18 metres must be provided between main habitable windows for buildings of up to and including six storeys in height. Buildings that exceed six storeys in height must provide a minimum separation distance of 21 metres.
Â
New Places – Low Rise, Low Density
A minimum separation distance of 21 metres must be provided between main habitable windows.
Description
The development of ‘New Places’ creates the opportunity to allow for a greater degree of flexibility in the separation distances between new buildings, where all residents impacted will be aware of the site’s context and level of privacy provided.
The minimum separation distances are set in order to protect the privacy of residents. However, a greater separation distance between buildings may be required dependent upon the height, scale and form of the buildings, impact on external 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. spaces, and/or to deliver appropriate townscape solutions.
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 – one to six storeys, minimum 18m between facing windows;seven storeys or more, minimum of 21m between facing windows.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
APL 5
Courtyard and perimeter blocks
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Courtyard or perimeter blocks must be designed to ensure that there are appropriate breaks between buildings within the block to provide an attractive streetscene, and to ensure that the spaces they enclose are large enough to provide a functional, stimulating, healthy, comfortable, and safe external environment.
Description
Courtyard and perimeter blocks are largely enclosed and therefore require careful consideration in their design. Applicants are required to introduce breaks between buildings within the perimeter block to ensure they are both visually and physically permeable. Regard must be had to height, orientation, daylight, sunlight, privacy and adequate separation distances in order to ensure that a high-quality environment is delivered.
Breaks between buildings are also important to provide relief in the built formForm is the three-dimensional shape and modelling of buildings and the spaces they define. Buildings and spaces can take many forms, depending upon their: size and shape in plan; height; bulk – their volume; massing – how bulk is shaped into a form; building lines – the alignment of building frontages along a street; and relationship to the plot boundary – and whether they share party walls or not. In the case of spaces, their form is influenced by the buildings around them. and to aid permeabilityThe degree to which an area has a variety of pleasant, convenient and safe routes through it. and legibilityThe degree to which a person understands and recognises characteristics about an area or building which help them to navigate around an area, or understand a building. into and through the site. The reduction in height of buildings together with a break between buildings at the southern end of a block will allow greater daylight and sunlight penetration into courtyards, creating a more comfortable and pleasant environment to support and improve the health and well-being of residents and visitors.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
- Solar studies or Building Research Establishment compliant Daylight andSunlight Assessment if required by the Council’s adopted ValidationChecklist
Example
Perimeter courtyard block: this example shows a rectangular  block with its longest elevation facing south  for the maximum number of south facing units. All apartment units are at least dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. and there is adequate separation distances between elevations. There is a mix of communal and private gardens on ground floor. Public facing elevations have private residential entrances and active commercial units on the corners. There are multiple entrances into apartment buildings and no building has more than eight units per core.
Private garden space
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.
Built examples
APL 6
Active frontages
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Ground floor active frontages must be optimised.
Description
Applicants must minimise blank facades, plant screens and car park entrances at ground floor level, particularly where they face areas of public realm. Where blank facades cannot be avoided, they should be located on secondary elevations. Opportunities to introduce private entrances to apartments at ground floor level should be optimised where communal or commercial uses are not appropriate.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
- Floor plans
- Elevations
Example of how an apartment can activate ground floor space
Key
- Overlooking windows
- Active ground floor uses
- Entrances
- Outdoor seating
Examples of ground floor uses to create active frontage
Residential units
Work & education
Retail & leisure
Cafes & restaurants
Residential units
Residential windows and entrances: ground floor apartments or houses can provide activity during day and night and encourage stewardship by residents over the public realmThis is the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces..
Work & education
Offices and workshops:Â work spaces with windows and entrances from street will create long periods of activity during the day. Entrances should always be taken from the public realmThis is the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces..
Retail & leisure
Retail and leisure:Â shops and cafes create lots of people activity, primarily during the day. They can be great places for the community to meet or have a coffee. Outdoor seating for cafes is encouraged.Â
Cafes & restaurants
Cafes, restaurants, bars and takeaways: where such uses are allowed, they can create activity during the evening time. Outdoor seating and large windows can deliver activity to enliven streets when permissible.Â
Principles of apartment ground floor activation
Apartments with retail (cafes, leisure, restaurants, etc) on ground floor
Apartments with undercroft parking and active retail kiosk on front public boundary
Apartments with parking to front boundary will only be allowed if sufficient space for landscape and accessible paths
Raised basements will only be allowed if there is an accessible entrance and approach to the ground floor residential unit
APL 7
Amenity space
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
All apartments must be provided with either balconies, terraces or private gardens, in addition to well-designed communal gardens.
Description
Safe and secure amenity spaces must be provided for use by all residents. The provision of private amenity spacePrivate outdoor space accessible by an individual dwelling unit, in the form of gardens, balconies, roof terraces. is essential for people’s health and well-being. Private 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. spaces including both gardens and balconies enhance visual and outdoor 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. and also provide a degree of privacy for residents whilst being able to benefit from fresh air away from adjoining communal spaces.
Communal 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. space and gardens should receive at least two hours of sunlight on the ground on 21 March in accordance with the guidance set out in Building Research Establishment guidance.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
- Floor plans
- Solar studies or Building Research Establishment compliant Daylight and Sunlight study if required by the Council’s adopted Validation Checklist
Example of maximising private and communal open spaces in an apartment building
Key
- Communal terraces
- Private balconies
- Communal open space
- Roof terrace
- Commercial space
- Private garde
APL 8
Substations and other infrastructure
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Applicants must demonstrate that they have considered the requirement for key infrastructure such as substations and pumping stations in the design of their development. The siting and appearance of this infrastructure must be carefully considered and incorporated into the building unless it can be demonstrated that this is not possible.
Description
Given the considerable costs associated with the provision of substations and pumping stations, developers should be aware of the requirement for the provision of this infrastructure at the outset of the design process and incorporate it into the design of the scheme. All too often, developers seek to vary planning permissions to allow for the provision of a substation on a site which is invariably presented as a fait accompli with the substation prominently located on the site.
Where this type of infrastructure cannot be located within a building, consider how it can be sensitively accommodated on site, away from the public realmThis is the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces. and screened with soft landscaping as part of a landscape-led approach to site layout.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
APL 9
Servicing
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Applicants must demonstrate that the site layout and building design of apartment schemes has taken account of strategies for fire and emergency access, waste collection, cleaning and repairs.
Description
Consideration must be given to the strategy for fire and emergency access, waste collection, cleaning and repairs from the outset and include a servicing strategy. Waste collection vehicles must be able to get within 10 metres of the waste collection point. The design impact of these aspects must be fully considered and sensitively incorporated into the building and site design.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
- Vehicle tracking plans, if relevant
- Servicing Strategy
- Fire Statement, if relevant
- Waste Management Strategy
APL 10
Aspect
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
The number of dual aspect units within an apartment block must be optimised and the number of single aspect north, north western and north eastern facing units minimised.
Description
The creation of dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. internal spaces is important, increasing the opportunity for natural daylight and sunlight for at least part of the day, all year round. Where it is not possible to avoid apartments with a northerly aspect, floor plans must be designed to optimise the number of apartments with a dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation.. People like sunlight, it is seen as providing light and warmth, making rooms look bright and cheerful and also having a therapeutic health-giving effect.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Floor plans
Examples
Deck Access: Apartments with deck access provide dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. elevations for daylighting and cross ventilation
Deck access and internal building coreThe core of a building is usually a square or rectangular concrete tube which houses its interior elements such as staircases, lift shafts and pipes.: a hybrid model of internal and external circulation corridors can maximise the number of dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. unitsÂ
sunpath
window elevations
dual aspect unit
Internal corridor slab; apartment units in a long horizontal shape building should have the longest elevations facing south and place the building coreThe core of a building is usually a square or rectangular concrete tube which houses its interior elements such as staircases, lift shafts and pipes. or services on the north elevation.
Internal corridor tower; apartments with a smaller floorspace can maximise dual aspect apartments and locate the building coreThe core of a building is usually a square or rectangular concrete tube which houses its interior elements such as staircases, lift shafts and pipes. on the north elevation
APL 11
Nationally described space standards
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
All dwellings must comply with the Nationally Described Space Standards.
Description
The Nationally Described Space Standards set out requirements for the Gross Internal (floor) Area of new dwellings at a defined level of occupancy as well as floor areas and dimensions for key parts of the home, notably bedrooms, storage and floor to ceiling height.
The dwelling sizes set out within these standards are considered to be the minimum to deliver an acceptable standard of living. Applicants should aspire to provide dwellings which exceed these standards.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- An accommodation schedule for every apartment / apartment typedemonstrating compliance with the Nationally Described Space Standards
National space standards calculator
The calculator has adapted from the Technical housing standards – nationally described space standard (March 2015) by the Department for Communities and Local Government
NB: the national space standards are subject to change and therefore the following calculator should be used only as a reference and refer to government source for official standards
APL 12
Bin storage
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Bin stores must be integral to the design of the building, located internally and screened from the public realm.
Description
Adequate and dedicated space for the storage and collection of waste and recycling must be included within proposals from the outset and set out in a waste management strategy.
Where separate bin storage structures are unavoidable, they must be well-designed, practical and in keeping with the building’s design. Bin stores must be concealed from the public realmThis is the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces.. Details should be provided as part of the planning application and they should be designed in complementary detail and material to the main development.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Site Wide Landscape Strategy
- Waste Management Strategy
Examples of bin storage
APL 13
Internal living environment
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
The internal layout of apartments must be designed to optimise access to daylight, sunlight, outlook, privacy and ventilation and mitigate any noise transmission between habitable rooms.
Description
Living conditions and internal environments have an impact on the health and well-being of the inhabitants of an apartment.
Allowing maximum daylight and sunlight can keep homes bright in winter months and allow cool breezes through the property in summer. Designers must ensure that habitable roomsAny room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. (those used for main living spacesLiving spaces can comprise dining rooms, lounges, kitchens, children’s play areas, offices, libraries, recreational spaces. These rooms should be adequate size, well-lit and connected to the house. A kitchen combined with another use such as lounge / diner, will be considered a living space. including kitchens) receive good daylight and sunlight through orientation and window positioning and size. Whilst access to daylight and sunlight is important, care must be taken that there are no issues with overheating in the summer or excessive heat loss in the winter. Cross ventilation through habitable roomsAny room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. can be achieved through openable windows on dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. units, on both elevations with a clear route for breezes through the apartment.
Â
Avoid noise transmittance by separating main living spacesLiving spaces can comprise dining rooms, lounges, kitchens, children’s play areas, offices, libraries, recreational spaces. These rooms should be adequate size, well-lit and connected to the house. A kitchen combined with another use such as lounge / diner, will be considered a living space. such as lounges on either side of the apartment, away from adjoining party walls where possible.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Accommodation schedule
- Floor plans
Examples of maximising daylight and sunlight
Dual aspect apartments: apartments with at least a dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. with two window elevations can have the longest internal elevation wall
Internal corridor access; apartments with an internal enclosed corridor must have a wider external elevation and larger windows to allow for more natural light to more roomsÂ
Elevations with natural light
Longest elevation
APL 14
Provision of living spaces
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Provide two living spaces for apartments with three or more bedrooms. The living space can comprise a single living space which is capable of being sub-divided into two living spaces. Both rooms, or both parts of the room should have an external window.
Description
Apartments designed for families must be capable of providing a second separate living space. Two living spaces can provide for dining rooms, lounges, kitchens, children’s play areas, offices, libraries, recreational spaces. These rooms should be adequately sized and well-lit with access to natural daylight. A kitchen combined with another use such as a lounge / diner, will be considered to be one living space.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Accommodation schedule
- Floor plans
Examples
Cross ventilation: dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. windows allow natural breezes through the house
Noise mitigation: habitable roomsAny room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. are separated to avoid excessive noise transmittance
Natural Daylight: habitable rooms face south with large windows for daylight
APL 15
Deck access
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Where deck access is proposed, this must not be sited on a principal outward facing elevation and must be fully integrated into the architectural composition of the façade and incorporate complementary materials.
Description
Deck access schemes don’t generally provide attractive elevations as the deck presents itself as the main architectural feature on the elevation on which is sits, detracting from the detailingThe 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. and proportions of the building.
Â
Deck access schemes are only likely to be considered acceptable where they allow for the provision of dual aspectDual aspect houses or apartments have been designed to have [openable] windows on two or more walls, allowing for increased levels of natural daylight, sunlight and cross ventilation. units, which cannot be accommodated in any other way and face onto an internal courtyard.
Â
The minimum width for all paths, corridors and decks used for communal access should be 1.5 metres.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Cross sections
Examples
APL 16
Habitable room privacy
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Applicants must demonstrate that all individual apartments have been designed to deliver an adequate level of privacy to habitable rooms.
Description
Whilst new apartment blocks might achieve adequate separation distance from existing buildings, thereby protecting the privacy of residents of other buildings, the privacy of residents within the proposed apartment development itself is also important. The relationship between individual apartments in the same building must be considered to avoid direct overlooking over short distances. This can be problematic when delivering projecting elements to apartment buildings.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Â
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
Examples
Wrap around corner units; the diagram shows one of numerous ways of mitigating potential overlooking by using adequate separation and wrap around corner units.Â
Core and circulation; the core and corridors can be used at corner points for greater separation distance between habitable windows on neighbouring apartment units
Key
Distance between habitable windows
Overlooking windows of same apartment
Apartments plan and internal layout case studies
Acton Gardens
Acton Gardens by Alison Brooks Architects for Countryside Properties This £500m masterplan for the 2600 home, 40-acre regeneration of the South Acton Estate was won by
Dockley Apartments
Dockley Apartments by Studio Woodroffe Papa for Matching Green Ltd The redevelopment of the Dockley Road Industrial Estate is part of a wider scheme transforming the railway
Aura, great kneighton
Aura, Great Kneighton by Tate Hindle for Countryside Properties Aura is an example of how good new housing communities can be if a local authority
Aarhus residence, Denmark
Aarhus residence, Denmark by CEBRA when designing these new apartment buildings in aarhus, denmark, CEBRA architecture began with one of the most important spaces for a community: 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
