PIA applauds low rise housing patterns
PIA endorses the Pattern Book designs for low rise semis, terraces, and manor homes. These types of homes are crucial to meet the needs of the full range of households across NSW.
PIA representatives, including PIA NSW President Sue Weatherley MPIA (Fellow), were pleased to attend this morning’s release of the low-rise Pattern Book designs at The Mint in Sydney. Also in attendance were the Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, Government Architect Abbie Galvin LFRAIA, representatives from contributing architectural practices and other built environment professionals.
A theme of discussion was the importance of place, and the ways Pattern Book designers have sought to allow place-based design responses to their built and natural settings while reaping the benefits of a Pattern Book approach.
We congratulate the designers and the Government Architect for setting and tackling their briefs with excellence. The designs offer outstanding amenity to their residents.
The designs are practical and attractive - and can be highly energy efficient. We applaud the integrated package of designs, landscaping resources and assessment pathways.
This initiative will reduce the assessment risks and delivery costs of much needed forms of housing for the missing middle.
PIA supports a risk-weighted assessment system so that housing with the least impact has the smoothest assessment pathway.
The low-rise designs are sufficiently modest for them to be assessed as ‘complying development’. These designs will work well in their neighbourhood context. However, mid-rise buildings may cause overshadowing, privacy and access impacts and would need to be supported by precinct planning or streamlined merit assessment to reduce these risks.
PIA has advocated for
streamlined assessment paths for housing types that are suitable, but which require some bespoke assessment to work in context.
PIA encourages the government to monitor the outcomes of the designs and assessment processes and make any amendments necessary to ensure that quality development is delivered.
"This is a significant achievement for the NSW GA and the Minister. It is the first time that there will be a streamlined assessment pathway based on the quality of design. This is an opportunity for a greater diversity of housing typology, to suit a diversity of households." says Sue Weatherley MPIA (Fellow), PIA NSW President.
Premier Chris Minns, Government Architect NSW Abbie Galvin LFRAIA, PIA NSW President Sue Weatherley MPIA (Fellow), The Hon. Paul Scully, Minister for Planning & PIA NSW State Manager Tessa Faucheur at this morning's launch.
Article thumbnail image credit: Studio Johnston.