Save our Suburbs

Design Intent

‘Save our Suburbs’ explores a different approach to urban densification. Typical new suburban developments may increase yield but they are often accommodated by loss of usable outdoor space, limited sunlight access, reduced mobility and perceived loss of character. These tensions are inherent in current medium-density developments particularly through our inner and middle suburbs. To resolve these matters, we took a ‘classic’ townhouse scheme, dissolved it, and developed a prototype that saves the amenities of both neighbourhood and new subdivisions – features that attract residents to suburbs in the first place. Our approach attempts to free up and augment space to create freedoms uncommon for these developments.

Our two key design moves for this project were to maximise the utility of site through a spatial approach to design and to interrogate box as form.

To save our suburbs we need to share our suburbs. We took the premise that open space is a shared resource. A typical suburban block allows for three to four dwellings under current planning controls, developed with access driveway on one side, a row of attached dwellings along the central axis, and small yards at the rear. Open space gets partitioned or serves as backdrop; driveways are used a maximum of 30 minutes a day – drive in, drive out, repeat. This means that for approximately 11.5 daylight hours each day these spaces are unutilised. In our scheme we maximise the utility of these resources. We don’t discriminate. We assume open space can serve varied purposes at different times of day, different days in the week, and different seasons, and be shared between different groups. It should enhance social interaction, allow for free movement, and be allocated for a wide range of activities. In our scheme private open space is available to each dwelling, but the majority of open space is shared and doesn't discriminate between private and communal, car access and recreation.

The placement on site and built form of each dwelling support the idea of freedom and mobility that come through a lack of definition and sharing of space. A row of rigid attached dwellings was pulled apart and ‘loosened up’. We opted for modular units for the dwellings with a simple two storey layout that slightly distorts each plan to create the illusion of more internal space without increasing floor area. This seemingly simple intervention has the dual benefit of being able to adapt to sites with challenging constraints. Roofs can be modelled to ensure planning guidelines are adhered to and good natural light access, fresh air and vistas are maintained.

The design is modular: modules can be joined, pulled apart, and put together in a number of configurations to suit different sites, orientation or development aspiration (units, townhouses or free standing houses).

We aimed for this project to achieve the yield of a townhouse or unit development (often rejected by local communities) but maintain an openness and casualness that attract people to suburban living. It fosters personal agency in one’s own home by creating spaces that are simple, functional and delightful. These homes have a casual spatial character, lots of open space, and encourage free movement and activities. They place a higher priority on the impact of design on human health ensuring fresh air and natural light, plentiful opportunities for social interaction and increased thermal comfort.

Each three-bedroom dwelling has a modest floor plan of 125 sqm plus carport and terrace and can make a significant step towards much-needed housing affordability.
 
Sustainability

Instead of typical ESD principles – though this project at 7.5 stars certainly adheres to them – we wanted to explore space as a precious environmental and social resource in this project.

Increased density reduces the environmental impact of housing. Our proposal for this townhouse development triples the density of a typical suburban block without sacrificing the typical qualities associated with low density: natural light, air, sun and open space.

The floor plan represents a layout that can work as a template for passive solar designs on a typical suburban block: the footprints can easily be rotated to fit the orientation of the block without needing adjustments.

The dwellings are designed to reduce the need for heating. Upstairs relies on rising warm air for passive heating; downstairs is heated by passive solar design principles based on passive solar gain and heat retention. The two-storey house utilizes the chimney effect for cross ventilation and passive cooling. Hot air can be discharged from downstairs before entering bedrooms upstairs.

The combination of play areas with driveway reduces the area of sealed surfaces and increases stormwater retention on site.