The NSW Department of Planning and Environment released the Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code and accompanying Design Guide in April 2018. The code allows two-storey dual occupancies, manor house and terrace development to be carried out under a complying development certificate process.

Studio GL support the need for a diverse range of successful medium density typologies and the intent of the new Code and therefore embarked on this self-funded research project. The outcome of our research is grouped into findings by typology (dual occ, manor or terrace), lot characteristics (corner or mid-block, wide, narrow, deep, shallow) and feasibility (footprint, type of construction, amount of floor space and circulation). We developed and tested complying conceptual designs and compared controls outlined in the Code with the planning controls of several LGA’s in NSW.

This enabled us to identify which development type, on which lots, and in which locations, are most likely and most unlikely to occur. Based on this research we are able to provide tailored advice to our clients on the opportunities and challenges posed by this code.

Date: 2018

Location: NSW wide

Services: Strategic Thinking & Planning, Residential Design, Research

Similar Projects: Medium Density Ideas Competition, Medium Density Study