typology
9
typology
walk-up corner
walk-up corner
9
what can this offer as a place to live? ∙
Urban apartment living with walk-up access.
∙
A choice of unit sizes and layouts, all with well proportioned private outdoor space as gardens or balconies flowing into indoor living areas.
∙
Good outlook from main living areas.
∙
Bedrooms are located to protect privacy.
∙
A well-formed communal garden area private from the street.
what can this do for our city? ∙
Achieves a good density at a comfortable scale.
∙
Using walkup access rather than lifts keeps the height of the building to only three storeys, and avoids external access decks.
∙
Creates positive street corner frontage, with good overlooking of the street.
success factors ∙
Use dual-aspect apartments, with consistent orientation of bedrooms and living rooms in adjacent units.
∙
The stairs and landings should be internal to create a quality environment in the approach to people’s homes.
∙
Carefully arrange access into stairs located at the corner of the site, to avoid access routes passing close to private spaces in apartments.
∙
Generous main balconies should overlook the street.
∙
Planting in the parking area must be high quality and extensive, using vertical elements to help ensure that drivers move slowly.
∙
A central bin and cycle storage area in this example are located within the main ground floor, off a stair well. Care should be taken to create nuisance towards adjacent units, or to create large areas of blank elevation.
∙
All apartments should have generous internal storage spaces.
street frontage Front gardens are given privacy using hedges and small trees rather than just fencing. Balconies to upper floors create visual interest and create positive overlooking of the street.
80 | Christchurch City Council
stairs & entrances The use of similar floor layouts for units creates a rhythm to the elevation which is varied using setback stairs. The setback entrances create a ‘front door’ space which mediates between the street and the building. Ground floor units have their own street entry.
Christchurch City Council
| 81