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Trafford Design Code

Getting Started

Which sections should you read?

Understand how to use a design code

How to study local context

How to comply with the code

Help Guide

How to use a design code

Introduction

The Trafford Design Code has been split into a variety of sections, relevant to development types. This ensures that you can find the relevant design codes for your project easily and quickly. For example. For a single house applicants will only need to comply with the ‘Houses’ chapter, in addition to the ‘Landscape and Nature’ and ‘Innovation’ chapters, which are applicable to all developments. For larger mixed use projects, applicants will need to comply with more chapters.

In this Section

An example design code

Further help and guidance

An example design code

Code Number

Allows for easy referencing. Based on the titles of the main chapter and sub-chapters and the number for the code on the page.

 

Code

This is the content of the design code and summarises the main design expectation.

 

Description

This contains additional information that explains the reasoning behind the code and why it is important.

 

Exceptions

This outlines where there may be exceptions to a code.

 

Compliance

A short statement to explain what an applicant must do to demonstrate how they have complied with a design code or in some instances, justify why they have not complied.

 

Example

This may be an image, diagram or an example of a built project to help visualise the design code and what is expected.

 

Principles

In some cases, there may be a number of different ways of achieving the overall objective of a code. Here we set out the choice of principles or combination of principles that must be achieved in order to satisfy this requirement.

Further help and guidance

The Design Code has been made as visual and illustrative as possible, using images over words whenever relevant. The Code is not intended to be read only by professionals, so the use of technical terms has been minimised and a glossary of terms provided to ensure the Code is accessible to everyone in the community. We have therefore used a variety of graphical images, diagrams and models to allow users to explore and understand what high quality design looks like.

 

The intention is not that the designs are copied but that designers may take inspiration from them in order to design a context appropriate scheme in Trafford. Some schemes illustrate good design details but also include some less well-designed elements, or details which would not be appropriate in Trafford – take inspiration from the images but please don’t look to slavishly copy these schemes!

Virtual reality models

All 3D models can be explored using smartphone or headset virtual reality. This allows users to experience the scale, design, views and human scale of projects.

Interactive diagrams

Hover over diagrams with mouse to reveal the technical diagram overlay 

Principle diagrams

In some instances, users must address a variety of different principles to achieve compliance. There are some examples of accessible footways and approaches to entrances shown below.

Explorable 3D models

Users can explore models to understand how places work in 3D. Users can scroll through annotated points to visually represent the point of the design code.

Built example libraries

Examples of completed projects from Trafford, Manchester, elsewhere in the UK, Europe or around the world.

Streetscape generators

Built environment generators allow users to visualize how places can look and test design solutions such as widths, heights or design.

Before and after examples

Users can easily view before and after design interventions, allowing them to see how simple changes to a design approach can result in significant improvements.

Case Studies

Examples of completed projects, largely from the UK, relevant to the Design Code sub-chapter. All case studies show aerial views, street view and site photographs.

Image shows the Roof Gardens Building in Manchester

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

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Photograph showing the Warehaus project by OMI Architects

Warehaus

Warehaus by OMI Architects for GW Developments Within the Ancoats Conservation Area the development comprises of the restoration of an existing historic mill building and

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Photograph of the Excelsior Works building in Manchester

Excelsior Works

Excelsior Works by Tim Groom Architects for Mulbury City The building occupies a pronounced location on the corner of Hulme Hall Road and converges upon

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Step by step guides

Visual step-by-step guides displaying how simple design changes can achieve best practice solutions.

Typical elevation for a two bedroom house
Typical elevation for a two bedroom house
STEP 1: Increase the floor to ceiling heights to raise the eaves line to create better proportion
STEP 1: Increase the floor to ceiling heights to raise the eaves line to create better proportion
STEP 2: Recess windows and increase the ratio between window openings to wall space to over 25%
STEP 2: Recess windows and increase the ratio between window openings to wall space to over 25%
STEP 3: Reflect the two elevations to create symmetry and use a better proportioned porch with storage
STEP 3: Reflect the two elevations to create symmetry and use a better proportioned porch with storage

Aerial views and street views

Using aerial photography, street views and 3D models to demonstrate the importance of context and allow users to explore areas from new perspectives.

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Trafford Design Code

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