In a previous post Guy Luscombe alerted us to some forthcoming articles in ArchitectureAu. The first is by Damian Madigan and is titled, Ageing well in the Bluefields. The context is suburban infill sites. The problem is how to increase housing supply and diversity while maintaining the existing character of the area. Madigan comes up with models based on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.
The overall aim is to support ageing in place and multi-generational living.
Madigan describes suburbs that have an established character and high financial values as ‘blue’. They are often exempt from density increases and also housing diversity.
Madigan explains a collaborative design research project that developed ‘bluefield housing models’. The models are based on four different allotment sizes, small, medium, large and extra large. They are also based on Livable Housing Australia gold or platinum levels. Floor plans are included in the article. Madigan explains:
“Underpinning the designs is what I call the “bluefield housing model,” which:
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- denies subdivision of the block, instead creating a design-led whole-of-site approach
- retains and adapts original housing into smaller accommodation
- creates new housing through leveraging the existing pattern of alterations and additions
- creates all housing in a flat hierarchy rather than as “accessory” dwelling units
- arranges the housing around shared landscape capable of retaining or developing large trees.
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Ageing well in the bluefields is on the ArchitectureAU website and will be of interest to building designers and smaller developers.