D
esigns for new homes in many
parts of Europe must be approved
by panels of architects to ensure
the integrity of the streetscape. In
Australia, councils set out guidelines
that define the ‘character’ of a suburb
but decisions about how the home will
present to the street are essentially left
to the owner and architect.
This has sometimes resulted in a
‘look at me’ competition of who can
outdo their neighbour, not to mention
a smorgasbord of architectural styles.
There are instances where controls
are much tighter. In heritage areas,
rules aim to ensure that the historical
context of the street is preserved. And
in new communities, some developers
establish guidelines on design elements
such as fencing, roof pitch and colours.
Volume builders work hard to create
inviting, integrated streets where
homes have compatible styles.
This is the situation at Crest by
Mirvac in Sydney, where H&G’s winning
My Ideal House design will be built. The
concept design, with planter boxes and
generous windows offering a view to the
street, will present a welcoming face to
neighbours and passers-by. In keeping
with its approachable frontage, the
house won’t have a fence; instead, its
street-facing boundary will be marked
by a hedge or other plantings.
It’s a far cry from homes of recent
decades with imposing, blocky and
anonymous facades, dominated by a
roller door that opens to let in the owners’
car without its occupants ever having to
talk to anyone. There’s now a clear trend
for encouraging more interaction with
neighbours and the community.This shift can be attributed to an
urban design movement known as
New Urbanism, says Harry Margalit,
associate professor in architecture
at UNSW. “It’s harking back to the
idealised communities of small towns
and older, inner-city neighbourhoods
with their active street life and ‘eyes
on the street’: living rooms that
overlooked the street and kept
antisocial behaviour away through
surveillance,” he says. “Planning
guidelines now actively encourage this.”
Shrinking lot sizes also play a role, says
Professor Margalit. “Having less space
makes each facade more important for
light and views. The front yard becomes
a more prized open area as the backyard
shrinks. Smaller backyards also mean
kids’ play areas are increasingly shared
or public parks, which are now included
in new developments. More planting
also happens in streets and parks.”
This has had a snowball effect, he
says. “To compensate for small lot
sizes, developers have tried to create
communities with better streets, more
windows to the street and more public
facilities. Buyers now expect these. The
street has been rediscovered as a space
with the potential to be used and planted,
and it’s treated with more respect.” #How does your garden show?
Lyndall Keating, director of Sydney boutique garden design firm
Garden Society, shares these tips to enhance street appeal:
✚ Have a green and well-manicured lawn.
✚ A colourful flower bed is always an attractive feature.
✚ Update old gardens to introduce new life and modern design.
✚ Invest in some hard landscaping: planters, stone walls and
pathways that echo the architecture of the house.
✚ Use garden lighting to highlight feature plants or paths.
✚ Invest in fresh outdoor furniture for the patio or verandah.Property
STREET SMARTS
Successful suburbs have homes that sit well together
and foster a sense of community, writes Harvey Grennan.The following partners
are supporting this
exciting initiative:GOLD SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS