Good design sells itself

This article was first published in The Architect WA: Community Edition, Spring/Summer 2020

Some of Perth's early attempts at increasing density by way of infill housing in existing suburbs have produced poor design and environmental outcomes, and resulted in the creation of new homes that don’t enhance a sense of community in streets and neighbourhoods.

Think battle-axe blocks; multi-unit housing where driveways use up landscaping; and the NMBY response to medium and high-rise proposals in some of the city’s most desirable residential areas.

The State Government is currently addressing many of the issues via its Design WA Apartment, Precinct Design and Medium Density policies, which aim to lift the design quality, amenity and environmental credentials of new multi-residential projects.

According to architect and Australian Institute of Architects President Peter Hobbs, the cost of multi-residential construction is the overwhelming impediment to broadscale improvements. "Quite simply, the cost of single story cottage construction is half the price of medium density, so it comes down to simple maths,” he says. “Also, we have a very obtuse planning system with design review, JDAPs, hostile council and sometimes NIMBY-ism”.

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