Based out of Melbourne, Future Homes offers a useful blueprint to consider in the delivery of pre-approved designs.
Facilitating the construction of enhanced gentle density dwellings, Future Homes was developed by the Department of Transport & Planning in Victoria and offers four distinct sets of site-less designs available for purchase, each boasting unique styles, layouts, and designs.
Key insights:
Pre-approved designs simplifies & streamlines the planning process for citizen developers and related actors
Pre-approved designs provide a versatile and customizable approach to apartment construction
Can play a central role in fostering better and more adaptable living spaces for diverse communities.
Image to the left shows Design Strategy Architecture with IncluDesign‘s “Future Homes Design A”.
Embracing the evolving needs of NSW’s growing population, the low-rise housing diversity code brings about a shift in housing choices. As households change and preferences diversify, this code facilitates the construction of well-designed dual occupancies, manor houses, and two-storey terraces through a streamlined approval process.
Following three years of extensive consultation, the code responds to the demand for homes that suit various lifestyles and budgets, contributing to the creation of vibrant, desirable communities. Explore firsthand accounts in our video series showcasing how gentle density homes have become the sought-after choice for families across diverse backgrounds.
These series of videos, developed by the New South Wales Government, highlight that gentle density homes are a form of homes that people want, need & deserve. The videos are an effective example of the power of videos in compelling storytelling, and ought to be a key component of any public engagement toolkit.
The Auckland Unitary Plan is a comprehensive and city-wide rulebook that guides how land can be used and developed in the Auckland region. It essentially sets the blueprint for the city’s growth and development over the coming years. The plan covers a wide range of topics, including where different types of buildings can be located, what activities can take place in specific areas, and the rules for preserving the environment and heritage. It’s a crucial document for city planning, ensuring that Auckland develops in a coordinated and sustainable way while considering the needs and interests of its residents.
In this video, Auckland Council explains some of the key changes to housing policy being brought about by the AUP, including the role that missing middle housing can play in:
Offering more diverse housing choices
Addressing gaps between single-family homes and high-rise apartments
Enhancing community character, affordability, and walkability.
The Auckland Unitary Plan is a comprehensive and city-wide rulebook that guides how land can be used and developed in the Auckland region.
The Plan essentially sets the blueprint for the city’s growth and development over the coming years. The plan covers a wide range of topics, including where different types of buildings can be located, what activities can take place in specific areas, and the rules for preserving the environment and heritage. It’s a crucial document for city planning, ensuring that Auckland develops in a coordinated and sustainable way while considering the needs and interests of its residents.
You can read a summary of the report on the Auckland City Council website, or alternatively for the full legislative breakdown, click here.
Explore our curated image gallery featuring a collection of thoughtfully designed gentle density homes, each uniquely crafted with 5 units, or more. Whether you’re an architect, urban planner, or simply passionate about progressive housing solutions, these 5-unit gentle density homes are sure to inspire and captivate.
Explore our curated image gallery featuring a collection of thoughtfully designed gentle density homes, each uniquely crafted with two units. Whether you’re an architect, urban planner, or simply passionate about progressive housing solutions, these 2-unit gentle density homes are sure to inspire and captivate.
Explore our curated image gallery featuring a collection of thoughtfully designed gentle density homes, each uniquely crafted with three units. Whether you’re an architect, urban planner, or simply passionate about progressive housing solutions, these 3-unit gentle density homes are sure to inspire and captivate.
Explore our curated image gallery featuring a collection of thoughtfully designed gentle density homes, each uniquely crafted with four units. Whether you’re an architect, urban planner, or simply passionate about progressive housing solutions, these 4-unit gentle density homes are sure to inspire and captivate.
These designs are for illustrative purposes only, and not intended for construction.
This forward-thinking design seamlessly incorporates a total of 8 units, offering a mix of unit types to suit various needs, including two spacious family-sized units with 3 bedrooms each. Each unit features its own individual entrance door, ensuring privacy and convenience for residents. Alternatively, the design can accommodate a total of 6 units, including four with 2 bedrooms each, providing flexibility in configuration.
Despite its multi-unit layout, the design maintains the feel of a small apartment building within the scale of a large single-family home, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. In total, the design offers 14 bedrooms, catering to diverse household sizes. The proposed floor space ratios (FSR) are 1.10 on a 50×110’ lot and 0.91 on a 60×110’ lot, showcasing efficient land usage while maximizing livable space.
Drawing and Images
“Tweedsmuir” on 60′ front-access lot“Tweedsmuir” on 60′ front-access lot“Tweedsmuir” on 50′ front-access lot“Tweedsmuir” on 50′ front-access lot
These designs are for illustrative purposes only, and not intended for construction.
This cutting-edge design can incorporate a total of six units on a lot just 33’ wide, using an innovative shared, “point-access-block” stair.
“Comox” also maximizes its small lot through the use of a zero-lot-line on one side. The design could be used to ease the transition within a block from a commercial zone to residential, or the design could be mirrored on a second lot to create a rooftop patio space between the two structures.
This rooftop space would be in addition to one courtyard already on the ground level and another on the third storey, which give the design its abundant light and air access in spite of its density: a FSR of 0.73 on the 50×131’ lot shown, or 1.10 on the 33×131’ lot. “Comox” has 9 bedrooms and utilizes sprinklering.
Drawing and Images
“Comox” on 50′ rear-access lot“Comox” on 50′ rear-access lot“Comox” on 33′ rear-access lot“Comox” on 33′ rear-access lot
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