SEPP 65 - Apartment Design Guide

01 I Context1B Local character and contextGood design responds and contributes to its context.Context is everything that has a bearing on an area andcomprises its key natural and built features. Context alsoincludes social, economic and environmental factors.Understanding the context means understanding how theinter-relationships between all these factors, includingbetween the local area and the region, will have an impacton the area over time.The process of defining the context’s setting and scalehas direct implications for design quality of apartments.It establishes the parameters for individual developmentand how new buildings should respond to and enhancethe quality and identity of an area.Figure 1B.1Photographs help to communicate the desired future character orfuture 'look and feel' of an area or developmentDesired future characterThe desired future character can vary from preservingthe existing look and feel of an area to establishing acompletely new character based on different uses, streetpatterns, subdivisions, densities and typologies.Establishing the desired future character is determinedthrough the strategic planning process in consultationwith the community, industry and other key stakeholders.Understanding the context during this process is crucial tosupport change and determine appropriate building typesand planning controls.Common settingsThe planning process establishes the appropriate locationfor residential flat buildings by determining land use anddensity in proximity to transport, employment, services,land form and environmental features. Within thisframework, the specific characteristics of a place or itssetting will inform design decisions. Common settings forresidential flat buildings include:1. Strategic centres2. Local centres3. Urban neighbourhoods4. Suburban neighbourhoods22 DRAFT | Apartment Design Guide I September 2014