Integrated design of multi-unit residential developments

Row of newly built houses

What to consider when planning and designing integrated multi-unit residential developments

Good design does not just happen by accident. A well designed integrated residential development requires careful site planning and consideration of the character and context of the natural and built-form environment. Integrated design is informed by the opportunities and constraints of the site and seeks to mitigate adverse effects on existing residential streets while creating better communities – it cannot be left to chance.

The integrated design of multi-unit residential developments create a greater potential for unity and ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved for all; the developer, future residents, the public, and the local Council.

What are multi-unit residential developments?

A multi-unit residential development is a development project where more than one residential building or unit is built on a single lot. For example, two or more single detached dwellings, a duplex, or an apartment building. Multi-unit residential developments are planned and designed in a comprehensive, integrated way to ensure good design outcomes and compliance with local Council design guidelines.

In contrast to vacant lot development or subdivision projects, multi-unit residential developments make more efficient use of smaller parcels of land and prevent sprawl across the city. By reducing or preventing sprawl, multi-unit residential developments can positively impact the local transport system and community. They also reduce the cost of land, compared to vacant lot development, which makes housing more affordable.

Here are some of the factors we consider when planning and designing integrated multi-unit residential developments at Woods:

Site and contextual analysis

What is the context of the raw land? Is there an existing dwelling that needs to be integrated into the design of a new dwelling(s)? What are the characteristics of the existing streetscape?

What is the contour of the land? Sloping land can create constraints but also opportunities for a multi-unit residential development. If the lot is a sloped section, it could be beneficial to assimilate the gradient into the design by creating an underground carpark.

The careful site and contextual analysis informs good design and shows an understanding of the impact of the proposed design. This must be submitted with the overall design statement to the council.

The brief

What does the client what to achieve with this multi-unit residential development project? What is their appetite or vision? What are the desired outcomes they wish to achieve?

Neighbourhood character

What is the housing typology of the:

a)     Existing built form environment

b)    Proposed or desired residential units?

Integrated multi-unit residential developments create high-quality living outcomes for future resident, but also positively contribute to the surrounding neighbourhood and are integrated into their communities.

The local council zoning

What is the zoning of the land and its associated zoning rules? This will inform the overall design of the development. A large part of multi-unit residential development projects is ensuring all zoning rules and compliance process requirements are met.

Residential site layout

With larger residential units and smaller sections of land, it is important to optimise the site layout for high-quality living outcomes. Consideration must be given to the placement of residential units to maximise lighting access, views, and privacy.

Street interface

How will each of the residential units integrate with the existing streetscape? Landscaping, planting, and front-facing architecture are all important considerations to ensure an attractive image from the road and visual integration on existing residential streets.

At Woods, we use 3D modelling software to create a 3D model of each individual proposed house or unit and the built-form environment. This allows us to swap the proposed designs in and out to find the best fit for integration into the surrounding context and community. We can also create a 3D street view of the proposed design to support the integrated land use consent application.

Infrastructure and Transport

When working on large scale multi-unit residential projects, we often work with the local transport authority to design where the new road network will go. This creates further opportunity to optimise the site for accessibility and functionality.

Summary

Careful consideration and understanding of the opportunities and constraints are important to deliver desired outcomes, especially for smaller sites with larger houses. We work closely with our clients, wider team, and local authorities to control the various factors necessary to plan, design, and deliver integrated multi-unit residential developments.

If you would like to find out more about our process for planning and designing integrated multi-unit residential developments, visit our Urban Design and Architecture page or get in touch.

-       Paul Edmond, Urban Design and Architecture – Principal