SEPP 65 - Apartment Design Guide

Performance criteria4O-1Ceiling height achieves sufficient natural ventilationand daylight accessAcceptable solutions04 I Building1. Measured from finished floor level to finishedceiling level, minimum ceiling heights are:Minimum ceiling heightfor apartment and mixed use buildingsHabitable rooms 2.7mNon-habitable 2.4mFor 2 storeyapartments2.7m for main living area floor2.4m for second floor, where itsarea does not exceed 50% ofthe apartment areaAttic spaces 1.5m at edge of room with a 30degree minimum ceiling slopeIf located in mixedused areas3.3m for ground floor topromote future flexibility of useThese minimums do not preclude higher ceilingsif desired2. Ceiling height can accommodate use of ceilingfans for cooling and heat distributionPerformance criteria4O-2Ceiling height increases the sense of space inapartments and provides for well proportionedroomsAcceptable solutionsFigure 4O.4 Differing ceiling heights are an opportunity to provide visualinterest in the building facade1. A number of the following design solutions areused:• the hierarchy of rooms in an apartment isdefined using changes in ceiling heights andalternatives such as raked or curved ceilings;or double height spaces2.7m3.1m2.4mService bulkheadNon-habitable(e.g. bathroom)• well proportioned rooms are provided, forexample, smaller rooms feel larger and morespacious with higher ceilings• ceiling heights are maximised in habitablerooms by ensuring that bulkheads do notintrude. The stacking of service rooms fromfloor to floor and coordination of bulkheadlocation above non-habitable areas, such asrobes or storage, can assistFigure 4O.5 Services bulkheads are wholly contained within non-habitablerooms and do not intrude into habitable spacesPerformance criteria4O-3Ceiling heights contribute to the flexibility ofbuilding use over the life of the buildingAcceptable solutions1. Ceiling heights of lower level apartments incentres are greater than the minimum required inthe table above (4O-1.1) allowing flexibility andconversion to non-residential usesDRAFT | Apartment Design Guide I September 2014107