Category: Housing design guidelines

The House that Chris Built – his story

Chris Nicholls house Chris Nicholls discusses the design and construction of his family home from the perspective of a wheelchair user.  He explains why some design features, which are often referred to as disability features, are not necessarily needed by every wheelchair user or person with disability. He also explains which features were important and why. His story shows why we need to mandate basic access features so that people like Chris don’t have to fight the builder all the way. Too many times the builder thought “near enough was good enough”.

The slideshow presentation has many instructive photographs.  You can also download the transcript of his presentation: 

Chris Nicholls Transcript Word    Chris Nicholls Transcript PDF  

Universal Housing Design Guidelines from Landcom

Front cover of the Landcom universal design Guidelines showing a woman at a front door holding a small girl and holding a boy close to her side. Universal housing design guidelines.The Landcom Universal Housing Design Guidelines were published in 2008, but the information is as relevant today as it was when first published. The designs are well researched with sample plans for all types of dwellings. The design process included costing the features. Any additional cost was found to be minimal if these features are considered at the outset of the design.

You can download  the Universal Housing Design Guidelines as a Handbook or quick reference Factsheet. Apart from key design features it has a section on model houses – single and double storey detached homes. These Guidelines underpined the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (Silver and Gold levels) in 2012. The National Construction Code used these for the Livable Housing Design Standard. 

2023 Update: Many of the features in these guidelines are in the National Construction Code and will take effect from October 2023. Most jurisdictions have agreed to adopt the Livable Housing Design Standard but are yet to do so. Queensland, ACT and Victoria were the first adopters. 

Note: the Landcom Guidelines are difficult to find on the Landcom website. They are archived in Trove (The National Library of Australia). The housing guidelines were part of a suite of guidelines that aim for liveable neighbourhoods.