The proposed development is for a corner site in Brunswick that faces onto a reserve. A key principal for the design is to reorient the new dwellings to take full advantage of the views and pedestrian access from the reserve. This also offers low, landscaped front yard engagement to the park.
The proposed scheme has been optimised to take advantage of the solar access afforded by its long northern boundary, while also seeking to look out to and engage with Chambers St to the east and the parkland corridor of Hardy Gallagher Reserve to the south. By orienting dwellings to face both the park and Chambers St, the proposal converts the existing dilapidated and ‘blind’ side boundary to an active frontage, whilst also addressing Chambers St.
The position of the site relative to other dwellings means that overshadowing to any adjacent dwellings or private open space can be completely avoided. There is also no outlook to adjacent private open space as this is both largely remote from the site and screened by existing built form. Outlook from the adjacent dwellings toward the subject site is very limited - privacy may be maintained and visual presence of any built form diminished.
01 // Orientation and Outlook
The proposed scheme has been optimised to take advantage of the solar access afforded by its long northern boundary. By orienting the dwellings to face both the park and Chambers Street, the proposal converts the existing dilapidated and blind side boundary to an active frontage, whilst also addressing Chamber Street.
02 // Site Setbacks and Enhanced Landscape Outcomes
The proposal envisages built form as being set within a natural setting, an extension of the adjacent parkland corridor. Setback zones has been created to facilitate this and promote a sense of a green leafy character reinforced by an extensive planting including many trees and significant understorey planting.
03 // Vehicular Access
The dwellings fronting Chambers Street all have cars parked within front setback, often with car ports built with zero setback. The proposed scheme has contained all cars within a basement set recessive behind the front dwelling. Utilising existing crossover for access to basement, the existing mature street tree is able to be retained.
04 // Engagement with Surrounding Context
By orienting new dwellings to face the parkland corridor as well as Chambers Street, it creates an activated edge , enhancing the pedestrian link along the bluestone lane between Park Street and Chambers Street, improving the safety to the adjacent public realm through passive surveillance. In this way the proposed scheme creates opportunity for an engaging and enjoyable pedestrian link between North Carlton and the Lygon Street Activity Centre.
