Design principles
Individuality, variety and scale
Housing should not be expressed externally in a standardised way, where it is demeaning for low-income housing or out of context or scale with its neighbourhood.
For example, artful and affordable variations in form, colour and detailing should be used to avoid a 'one design repeated many times' impression.
Similarly, dwellings that are much smaller than existing neighbours might be designed into groups that are neither too large nor too small. This should fit more comfortably in the neighbourhood context.
Reasons:
- It is important to acknowledge that housing is a ‘symbol of self' for residents, and their individuality should be respected and have some expression.
- Variations within a street or group development may aid in its legibility.
- External variations in the appearance of houses or apartments may reduce the apparent scale of a large or dense project. This in turn may increase community acceptance of the project.
Last updated 18 February 2008
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