Building Multi-Unit Housing: (In Living 3 Zones)

Building Multi-unit Housing
(In Living 3 zones)

An Urban Design Guide for Christchurch
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide urban design
guidance for new residential development located in
Living 3 zones under the Christchurch City Plan. It is aimed
at developers, landowners, architects, designers and
homeowners. The intention of the guide is to facilitate
the design of high quality, medium density residential
development. This means development which responds to the
local context, is attractive, delivers a high level of amenity and
which meets the needs of its residents.
Living 3 zones are intended to provide for medium density
housing (generally townhouse and apartment style
development up to four storeys in height) and are located within
the inner city, around some commercial centres as well as in the
new, larger subdivisions on the outskirts
of Christchurch.
As housing densities increase, good design becomes especially
important. Developments are typically larger in scale, more
intensive and often on tightly constrained sites closely bounded
by neighbouring properties. Higher densities also mean more
people living in closer proximity to each other. As a result the
potential for developments to have adverse visual, amenity
or privacy effects is greater. A more contextual approach to
design is required to address these matters and ensure that
new developments are designed to respect and enhance the
character of established neighbourhoods.
Good design neednt cost more, but can add to the overall value
of the development in the short and longer term, as well as
contribute positively to the wider environment.
Background
In July 2011, Plan Change 53 to the City Plan was adopted to
address concerns over the quality of medium density residential
developments occurring in Living 3 zones, and their impact
on amenity for residents, neighbours and the wider city
environment. New provisions were introduced including the
Urban Design, Appearance and Amenity assessment matters
outlined in Volume 3, Part 2, Section 13.2.8 of City Plan. These
are aimed at ensuring that a good standard of urban design is
achieved, while largely retaining the flexibility to reflect individual
style. It also provides the opportunity for Council and developers
to discuss design outcomes rather than require strict adherence
to City Plan rules.
This has resulted in a fundamental change in approach to how
development Living 3 proposals are assessed. The assessment
matters apply to all new buildings, alterations or additions
that result in three or more residential units. They also apply
to smaller developments of 1 or 2 units if the development
falls with certain thresholds relating to the site area and total
residential floorspace proposed. They also apply to nonresidential uses over 40 square metres.
In addition the Plan Change also sets out specific matters which
apply to the individual Special Amenity Areas (SAMs) and to
Central New Brighton. These are outside the scope of this guide
but are set out in more detail in the City Plan
If you are proposing any new development in a Living 3 zone, it
is advisable to speak with a Council planner or consult the City
Plan to check whether your proposal falls within the scope of the
new provisions. Council planners and design staff are available
to provide planning and design advice, particularly prior to
application for resource consent. Pre- application meetings with
Council staff can save time and money, and result in a better
development overall.
Using this Guide

This guide is intended as a reference for understanding and
interpreting the City Plan urban design, appearance and
amenity assessment matters outlined in Part 2 Section 13.2.8
of the City Plan. The guide provides examples of how the
assessment matters may be met and outlines the key issues
to bear in mind when designing a development in the Living 3
zone. Becoming familiar with these assessment matters and
using them as a check sheet will be useful in the development of
your proposal.
The assessment matters are divided into ten broad themes,
each with its own set of criteria, providing more detail as to
what needs to be addressed in the design. There are two tiers of
criteria: The shoulds (those in blue italics) indicate the basic
requirements that must be met in order to get resource consent.
The encourages (green, no italics) however are the nice
to haves that result in a higher quality development. These
assessment criteria are inter-relating and where appropriate
have been grouped together within this guide.
Contents
I
Site & Context 3
II
Relationship to street and public spaces 6
III Corner Sites 10

IV Building Form and articulation 12
V
Access and car parking 15
VI Landscaping and site amenity 17

VII Outdoor Living Spaces 19
VIII Service Areas & Utilities 22
IX Residential Amenity 24
X
1 | Building muliti-unit housing
(In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide
Environmental Efficiency 26
Enhanced Development
Mechanism and Community
Housing Redevelopment
Mechanism Urban Design
Assessment
The Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) published by the Minister
for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery on 6th December 2013
introduces a set of changes to the Christchurch City Plan
which incentivise medium density multi unit residential
redevelopment within existing parts of the citys built up areas.
This mechanism encourages the comprehensive design and
redevelopment of multiple adjacent residential sites (i.e. sites
where one original dwelling is or was present) with the goal of
securing better residential environments than those which might
be achieved from uncoordinated site by site redevelopment of
the same land.
These provisions are set out in the following City Plan sections,
Volume 3, Part 2, Section 2a Enhanced Development
Mechanism (EDM)
Volume 3, Part 2, Section 2b Community Housing
Redevelopment Mechanism (CHRM)
All proposals using these provisions are subject of an Urban
Design Assessment and so at Volume 3, Part 2, Section 15.5 is
a list of Assessment Matters is set out. These are listed below.
These matters broadly reword the Urban Design Assessment
Matters applicable within the existing Living 3 and 4 Zones (set
out at Volume 3, Part 2, Section 15.2.8) to which this guidance
document relates. Hence, this guidance is equally applicable
to schemes using the Enhanced Development Mechanism or the
Community Housing Redevelopment Mechanism.
For the purposes of clarity, the page number cross references
below should help inform users of the EDM and CHRM provisions
of the urban design expectations under that are related to
each matter.
EDM and CHRM

assessment matters:
a)Engages with and contributes to adjacent streets and public
open spaces with regard to fencing and boundary treatments
(page 8), sightlines, building orientation and setback
(page 6), configuration of pedestrian entrances (page 7),
windows and internal living areas within buildings (page 6)
and if on a corner site is designed to emphasise the corner
(page 10).
b)Integrates access, car parking and garaging in a way that is
safe for pedestrians and cyclists and that does not dominate
the development, particularly when viewed from the street or
other public spaces (page 15).
c)Retains or responds to existing character buildings or
established landscape features on the site, particularly
mature trees which contribute to the amenity of the area
(page 4).
d)Responds appropriately to its context with respect to
subdivision patterns, scale of buildings (page 12),
degree of openness, building materials and design styles.
e)Is designed to incorporate Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, including effective
lighting, passive surveillance, management of common
areas and clear demarcation of boundaries and legible
entranceways (page 17).
f)Has had regards to residential amenity for occupants and
neighbours, in respect of outlook, privacy, noise, odour, light
spill, weather protection and access to sunlight through site
design (page 3), building, outdoor living and service/storage
space location and orientation (page 19 and 22), internal
layouts (page 24), landscaping and use of screening
(page 17).
g)Creates visual quality and interest through the separation of
buildings, variety in building form, distribution of walls and
openings and in the use of architectural detailing, glazing,
materials and colour (page 12).
h)Incorporates environmental efficiency measures in design,
including passive solar design principles that provide for
adequate levels of internal natural light and ventilation
(page 26).
It is important to restate here that applicants using the EDM
and CHRM provisions are encouraged to seek advice from the
Councils resource consent and urban design teams at the
earliest stage of scheme planning. Urban design quality is
critical to higher density living and the council wishes to work
with landowners and developers to optimise use of sites as
living communities.
Building muliti-unit housing (In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide
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I) Site & Context

Respect Heritage
New development generally integrates better into established
neighbourhoods when it responds to the local context. This
includes incorporating existing site features, identifying and
incorporating elements of the character and historical context of
the area and giving consideration to micro-climate. A one size
fits all approach rarely works well. Well designed developments
should retain and enhance positive aspects of the context and
should contribute to ensuring a safe, pleasant and attractive
neighbourhood.
Respond to Context
a)Developments should consider local environmental conditions.
All sites have a set of environmental conditions that provide the
starting point for the design process. Microclimatic factors, such
as wind direction and solar orientation are aspects of this. Outdoor
living areas can be sheltered from easterly or southerly winds
through careful location and arrangement of buildings, landscape
elements or other design features such as walls. Porticos, canopies
and roof overhangs can provide weather protection and add
interest to the building.
Existing site features, such as mature trees and planting, drainage
systems and heritage assets can add amenity and market value to
the development from the outset. Topography plays an important
role in defining local character and buildings should be designed
to work with existing site contours rather than imposing artificial
landscapes. Other elements of the site and context include where
and how neighbouring buildings are located on their sites, and
consequently how they relate to their neighbours and the street.
b)Developments should be sympathetic to nearby listed

heritage items.
The retention of historic heritage is important both for its
intrinsic value as well as ensuring the communitys sense of
place is maintained. Heritage buildings and features serve as
a reminder of the past, adding depth and distinctiveness to a
neighbourhood, while strengthening the connection to a place.
Care should be taken in the location, layout and design of new
developments to respect the setting and context of any historic
heritage within the vicinity.
The design of new development should respect heritage
buildings, drawing on design influences in a contemporary
way, without simply replicating them by:
Reflecting the scale, proportions and form (including
building shapes and roof profiles).
Repeating the rhythms and patterns in the design, position
and spacing of windows or other detail.
Using complementary materials and colours.
Incorporating similar materials and construction techniques.
Responding to the traditional details for window, doors
and trims.
Incorporating contemporary interpretations of traditional
design features such as bay windows, porches, corbels, etc.
Image 1.1 Responding to heritage buildings
Good Practice Tip:

Carry out a detailed analysis of your site and the surrounding
context before starting the design process. Identify the key
environmental considerations and evaluate the local context
and character of the neighbourhood (see Image 1.3 below)
This development relates well to its context. Front balconies

and high windows at first floor level provide a good views of
the park opposite.
New development can respond to heritage buildings by

using similar proportions for the whole faade or similar
proportions for smaller features within the faade such as
windows, entrances, balconies or floor heights
(see image 1.1 above).
Make the Connections

c)Developments should connect to the street network with
vehicle, cycle, and pedestrian routes that maintain or enhance
physical and visual links to key destinations.
Access to and through a site should be provided that links
new development to key neighbourhood destinations such
as community facilities, local shopping centres, public open
spaces and transport. Pedestrian desire lines (the shortest or
most easily navigated route between an origin and destination)
should be protected and routes need to be safe, direct and
attractive. Where pedestrian-only routes are provided, they
should be short, well lit and overlooked. On larger sites, it may
be appropriate to provide dedicated cycle routes and secure
cycle parking facilities. Vehicle routes should connect the
development to the local street network and should ensure that
ease of movement through a site is achieved
Adapt Existing Buildings

d)Developments are encouraged to adapt and/or renovate
existing character buildings and retain existing trees.
The adaption of older buildings, whether through repair,
alteration, or extension, can deliver a range of economic, social
and environmental benefits. Economically, the adaptation of
existing buildings can be less expensive than building anew,
with potential cost savings in the design and construction
phases compared with new build projects. Savings in time
can also be achieved making earlier occupation possible. The
environmental case for retaining existing buildings is also
strong. Demolition and construction uses considerable amounts
of energy and raw material and can generate a large amount
of waste product. Aesthetically, character buildings make a
significant contribution to the appearance of a neighbourhood
providing an already established character, architectural
diversity and sense of identity.
The following principles should help to inform proposals for

adapting existing character and heritage buildings:
Use materials, features and forms appropriate to the age
and style of the house, or which will complement them.
Minimise the changes and retain original external and
internal features.
Consider extensions the rear to retain the
relationship with the street, before extending other
parts of the building.
Ensure extensions or additions do not visually dominate
the original building.
Maintain the original layout of important rooms
where possible.
Retain Existing Trees

The retention of existing vegetation, particularly mature trees,
can give a sense of a development being well established,
assisting it to integrate more successfully with integration into
the wider neighbourhood. Trees also add character, improve
visual amenity, attract wildlife, provide privacy and shade in
summer and can reduce sound reverberation from potential noise
sources such as busy roads.
The form, design, and siting of new buildings should be
informed by the retention of existing trees and other significant
vegetation, while avoiding root or canopy damage. Consider
incorporating the trees into shared open space, such as within
an access lane or by providing slightly larger outdoor living
spaces to accommodate them. Fence lines or other boundary
treatment may be set back or staggered to accommodate
existing mature trees.
Image 1.2 Respond To Local Environmental Conditions
The layout and design of developments should take into account local constraints and opportunities including topography,
prevailing winds, solar orientation, ground conditions, noise sources, over-land water flow paths and the potential for flood risk.
Existing mature vegetation should be retained wherever possible.
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Provide Views
e)Developments are encouraged to support prominent vistas
and view shafts.
On the flat topography of Christchurch, views shaft and vistas to
prominent landmarks and landscape features such as the Port
Hills, Southern Alps and Central City, create reference points
that contribute to sense of place and the visual amenity of
residents. Developments are encouraged to retain and support
important views by considering, for example:
Providing separation between buildings on a site to allow
views through gaps in the built form.
Retain significant trees where possible.
The height of buildings and the effect of this on the outlook of

neighbouring properties.
Varying roof heights to allow vistas as well as provide variety
and interest.
The size and location of on-site landscaping to ensure views
are not overly restricted.
The size, positioning and orientation of window openings to
capture views.
In this development, large windows on the upper level

provide residents with good views of the park opposite.
Creating of viewing platforms such as balconies or roof

terraces.
Considering the use of materials, such as glazing, to allow
views through the development.
Image 1.3 Site Analysis
(II) Relationship with the Street & Public Open Spaces
A buildings relationship to the street and other public spaces

is critical to a safe, well functioning and high amenity street.
In most cases, the street, or other public spaces, will be
the principal vantage point from which people will view the
development. It is therefore important that facades visible from
the street (especially the front or street facing elevation) or
other public spaces, are well designed and contribute towards
an attractive, coherent and well ordered street scene. The
appearance of a development from the street also creates the
important first impression for prospective buyers or tenants,
and contributes to the overall character of the area.
New developments should also be designed to ensure good
surveillance of public spaces the eyes on the street that
help to deter anti-social behaviour, foster good neighbour
relations and make pedestrians feel safe when walking around
a neighbourhood. The extent to which this visual interaction
between a property and the street is achieved is dependent on
a combination of inter-related factors, which are the focus of the
assessment matters under this theme and are listed below:
Face the Street
Raising living spaces above ground level can provide a sense

of privacy.
Image 2.1: Orientation towards the Street
a)Buildings should orientate towards the street and be

positioned close to the road boundary.
b)Developments should place active areas of buildings such as
habitable rooms and entrances along the street and public
open spaces, particularly at ground level.
Developments should be oriented towards the street. This
includes the incorporation of front entrances, well proportioned
windows and architectural features (e.g. balconies, gable ends
etc) on the front faade. Not only does add to the quality and
interest of the front faade, it also contributes to the wider
quality and safety of the street.
Protecting Privacy
The privacy of occupants can be maintained whilst still
achieving a good level of engagement with the street by
simple measures such as:
Raising the ground floor level of the development above the
street level to allow people to clearly see out but not in.
Orientating the front and rear units of multi-unit

developments on long narrow sites to face the street
as shown in image 2.1 provides surveillance to both the
street and accessway and contributes to visual amenity,
adding to the value of the development as a whole.
Buildings should be positioned close to the road boundary
to enhance the definition of the street through continuity of
the building edge.
Placing higher kitchen windows on the frontage.

Well placed outdoor living areas.
Using a combination of hard and soft screening materials
that allows for limited visibility but retains the sense of
proximity.
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Highlight Pedestrian Entrances

c) Pedestrian entrances should be identifiable, well-articulated
and directly accessible from the street or shared access ways.
Well designed entrances contribute to the overall appearance of
a building, providing visual interest and human scale to larger
developments. Pedestrian entrances also act as focal points
for activity. Placing pedestrian entrances where they are clearly
visible from the street provides ground level activity, improves
public safety and increases opportunities for social interaction.
This development achieves a good orientation towards the

street. Main living areas are located at the front of the house
with generous glazing on the ground and upper floors. Front
balconies encourage good surveillance of the street.
There are a number of ways in which the appearance and

visibility of entrances can be enhanced. Canopies, porches,
pergolas and recesses all provide strong articulation whilst
also providing shelter for visitors in bad weather. Architectural
detailing in the form of fanlights, sidelights or door surrounds
also provide interest, light and a clear indication of the entry, or
consider using a strong design or colour for the door itself. Where
a number of dwelling are proposed on the same site, varying
the colour of doors can help to provide differentiation between
units. Landscaping is also an effective way to make entrances
identifiable and mark the threshold between outdoor and indoor
living spaces.
Locating habitable rooms such as kitchens, living areas, dining

rooms or bedrooms towards the front of the house improves
the potential for informal surveillance of the street, reducing
opportunities for crime and making streets feel safer for
pedestrians. Non-habitable rooms (toilets, bathrooms and
storage areas) are best located to the rear or side of the house.
At least one habitable room should be located on the ground
floor to provide a direct link between the interior and outside
areas, as well as with the street.
Image 2.2 Location of Habitable Rooms
A clearly defined pedestrian entrance through the use of

landscaping, high quality paving and a covered recess.
Image 2.2 above shows a possible configuration of internal

living space for a multi-unit development located on a corner
site. This layout provides habitable rooms along both street
frontages.
Enable Views of the Street
Avoid High Solid Fencing
d) Facades facing the street should have a generous extent of

evenly distributed glazing.
e)Ensure fences and landscaping do not obstruct

ground level views.
As a rule of thumb, street facing facades should have a

minimum of 25% glazing which should be evenly distributed
between ground and upper levels (see image 2.5). Larger
windows and balconies maximise opportunities for surveillance.
On northern elevations facing the street, where heat gains are
a factor, screening or shading devices may be used to minimise
overheating whilst maintaining sizeable sized window openings.
Image 2.5: Amount & Distribution of Glazing
Low fencing provides demarcation of private and public space,

allows surveillance of the street, and the retention of sightlines
to the footpath to ensure pedestrian safety when exiting a site.
In conjunction with well considered areas of planting it can also
ensure privacy where needed. An alternative is a combination of
transparent sections of fencing, which can be planted with low
level shrubs and trees to provide a degree of privacy screening
whilst still maintaining an essentially open feel that allows for
views between the house and street.
Dense planting along the street boundary that limits sightlines
to the street should be avoided. Where trees are proposed
along the street boundary, ensure they are limbed up to allow
sightlines through. Locating private outdoor living space at the
side rather than at the front of the house will reduce the need for
privacy screening along the entire frontage of the property.
Image 2.7: Fencing Types Meeting the Transparency Requirement
A generous proportion of glazing evenly distributed between

ground and upper floors. Large windows and open areas
of landscaping provide good opportunities for informal
surveillance of the street. Shading devices are used to
control solar gain.
The City plan requires that when fences or other screening

structures are over 1m in height, then 50% of the whole
structure must be transparent. This can be achieved in
several different ways, as indicated in image 2.7 above.
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Transparency Defined
Transparency is defined as being able to see through, either
because no solid construction is present, for example
using railings (images above), or because there are spaces
between the solid parts of the fence that are at least the
same width as the solid elements themselves.
Use Quality Materials for Fencing

b)Fences are encouraged to be of high quality materials and
complement the building design.
It is important that high quality materials are used for any fence
or boundary wall so that it does not detract from the appearance
of the house. One option is to a use a similar material as that
used for the house itself (see image below). Where timber
fencing is used, it should be treated and finished in a colour
which complements the house.
The use of poor quality materials which quickly degrade, can
make them targets for vandalism and graffiti, particularly if they
include large blank, untextured surfaces.
A low height, high quality front boundary wall which

complements the design of the house.
(III) Corner Sites
Buildings on corner sites need to be designed with particular

care owing to their prominence and visibility. Corner buildings
need to be designed so that both frontages present an
attractive view to the street and provide views in multiple
directions.
Well designed corner buildings can make an important
contribution to a neighbourhoods character by serving as local
landmarks, creating visual signposts that help people find their
way around the area. Strong building forms and other design
features can be used to good effect on corner sites, providing
definition and emphasis to the intersection.
Express Corners
Double gable features provide good articulation of

corner sites
a)Buildings on corner sites should orientate towards all

adjacent streets and public open spaces and emphasise
these corners.
Corner locations require developments that address two (or
sometimes three) different street frontages.
There are a number of ways in which buildings can be designed
to provide articulation to a corner. Prominent entrances may
be located at the apex of the corner or buildings may be set
back to provide areas of public amenity space. Consider the
use of architectural features which wrap around the building,
for example balconies or continuous rooflines. With larger
buildings, it may be possible to the use the building form itself
to emphasise the corner. Image 3.1 illustrates some examples of
how this might be achieved.
Image 3.1 Using Building Form to Express Corners.
The wrap-around balcony and roof on this house provides

good emphasis to the corner and provides views of the street
in both directions.
The rounded edge on this building accentuates the continuity

of the facade.
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Image 3.3: Corner Apartments Typology
A well designed corner building that addresses both street

frontages
Good Practice Tip:

On some corner sites, the character of each street will vary,
for example there may be a dierence in the architectural
style or scale of buildings. New buildings can respond to
these dierences by introducing changes in the design
treatment of each facade or by breaking down the building
into smaller elements, for example so that the building steps
down in height along one side.
Buildings on corner sites should provide a strongly defined

edge to the street. Car parking is best located out of view
from the street, either in basements or to the rear of the
building.
Locate Main Pedestrian Access

Along Principal Street
b) Pedestrian entrances are encouraged to be located along
main pedestrian routes.
Corner sites provide a choice of location for pedestrian
entrances. Locating pedestrian entrances along well tracked
pedestrian routes can improve safety and reduce the fear
of crime. It is therefore encouraged to locate the principal
pedestrian entrance along the street which carries the greatest
volume of pedestrian trac and which links to key destinations
in the local area.
The wrap-around windows on this apartment development

respond well to the corner site by allowing views along the
street in both directions.
Corner Apartments
Corner sites are often good locations for multi-level
apartment developments where the greater building mass
can be used to provide strong definition to the corner in a
way that is harder to achieve with smaller scale structures,
and provide good opportunities for creating local landmarks
which may warrant a taller building. Try and ensure that
buildings provide a strongly defined built edge to the corner,
with car parking provided out of view to the rear. Units should
be arranged to face outwards to both adjacent streets.
iv) Building Form and Articulation
The transition towards more intensive forms of development

characteristic of Living 3 zones needs to be carefully managed.
In Christchurch, the redevelopment of long, narrow sites has
encouraged sausage block style development at odds with
much of the existing and well established residential areas.
Good design is critical to ensure that new development is
sympathetic to the established character of a neighbourhood
and the scale and pattern of existing development. This
means designing buildings which are of a domestic scale
and appearance, are attractive to look at with a good level of
architectural detailing and variety and are constructed using
high quality materials.
Respect Existing
Subdivision Patterns
a)Layout and form should reflect the predominant pattern of
subdivision within a neighbourhood.
New developments will better integrate into existing
neighbourhoods when the width of their front facades,
the separation distance from internal side boundaries and
between adjacent buildings (often referred to as the grain
of the street) is consistent with other dwellings on the street.
Development which fails to respect the established grain can
disrupt the sense of rhythm and continuity along a street.
It also increases the likelihood of buildings appearing out
of scale and visually dominant in relation to neighbouring
houses.
Image 4.1: Respect Existing Grain
Design to a Domestic Scale

b)Ensure buildings are of a domestic scale and avoid excessive
repetition of building forms.
c)Avoid faades and elevations whose length or bulk is visually
excessive or blank.
d)Limit continuous ridgelines and minimise the visual bulk of a
building.
e)The separation of buildings within sites is encouraged to
reduce perceived building bulk.
Design buildings to be of a domestic scale and appearance.
The following design techniques can help to reduce the
perceived bulk and size of buildings:
Limiting continuous ridgelines or long blank elevations.
Separating buildings into a series smaller blocks.
Avoiding excessively high or steeply sloping roofs.
(Restricting the roof pitch to between 27 and 33 degree) or
choose a shallow mono-pitched, flat or hipped roof.
Building within attic space or basements.
Reducing the upper level floor area or stepping it back from
the street.
Providing variation in the building plane of external walls
(often called modulation) by introducing step backs or
projections.
Setting buildings further back from the street.
Introducing architectural features and human
scale detailing such as balconies, shading devices,
porches etc.
Avoiding excessive overhangs.
Using landscape elements to soften the form of the building.
Use of colour and texture.
Developments should avoid excessive repetition of forms to

provide interest and allow some individuality. Differentiation
between units within the same development can be introduced
through changes in colour, unit size, architectural detailing or
subtle changes in the roofline, even door detail.
When sites are amalgamated, consider separating large
buildings into smaller individual blocks (see 4.1 above) so
that continuity along the street is maintained. Alternatively,
architectural features and detailing can be used to
emphasise the vertical aspect of buildings so that the
building as a whole reads as a series of smaller elements
combined.
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Good Practice Tip:

As a rule of thumb, the maximum length of a building faade is
15 metres before a horizontal or vertical recess of at least two
metres or separation of buildings is needed.
Avoid repetition by introducing subtle changes in colour,

materials, or pattern of window openings. In this example,
changes in the roof profile are used to provide differentiation
between units.
Image 4.2: Limiting Continuous Ridgelines
This development uses a mix of horizontal recesses/

projections and vertical changes in height to provide visual
relief and break up the scale of the building. Changes in the
plane of a building also provide areas of shade and shadow
which provide a sense of depth. As a result, the building
reads as a series of smaller elements combined rather than a
large bland box.
By limiting the length of continuous ridgelines, exterior

walls or parapets, visual variety and relief is provided which
reduces the apparent bulk of a building.
Avoid blank or bland facades. Introducing larger window
openings or finer details such as eaves, sills, balconies or
a change in material can improve the appearance of bulkier
buildings.
Separating a development into a series of smaller

buildings allows views through a site and can help to
reduce the perceived scale of a building.
Provide Variety and

Visual Interest
A mix of materials are used to good effect here, highlighting

key features and shapes and to provide differentiation
between elevations. Shading devices provide detail and
interest to this faade.
Image 4.3:
Bringing it all together: designing domestic scale buildings
f)Architectural features and a variety of materials and colours

are encouraged.
Incorporating more architectural detail into building facades can
add visual interest, depth, texture and variety to a development.
It also helps to give buildings a residential character and
human-scale. Architectural elements might include bay
windows, balconies, shading devices, cladding changes,
entrance features, projections or recessed elements. Careful
use of colour can help to highlight details such as window
frames, sills, entrance porches and to identify different parts of
a building. The textural quality of a material is also important,
particularly at ground level, where close up views are possible
and interaction with the building occurs.
Use High Quality Materials

g) T he use of high quality, durable and easily maintained
materials is encouraged.
Materials that require less maintenance and last longer are
more suitable for medium density housing, particularly when
in multiple ownership. Not only does it reduce resource use,
but also reduces the potential for conflict between neighbours
over maintenance and costs. The durability of materials can be
improved by ensuring adequate protection from the corrosive
effects of the elements, for example by incorporating eaves and
flashings in the design.
Use of architectural features (fins, boxed windows and

lintels) to provide strong visual interest to the upper portions
of the building.
The Building Code sets minimum standards for durability for

different components of a building, but some of these are quite
short (for example, 15 years for cladding) so look for materials
which perform better than - not just at - Building Code minimums.
This can also add to the developments value. The range of
materials may include natural, locally sourced materials that can
build on the areas character to more manufactured materials such
as hebel blocks and zinc panel.
For more information on choosing the right material go to
www.smarterhomes.org.nz.
| 14
(v) Access and Car Parking
Garaging, large areas of driveway and vehicles parked in

clear view of the street can have a significant adverse visual
impact on the quality and appearance of a development. With
increased density also comes the need for more efficient land
use, including more creative responses to on-site parking.
Communal or shared facilities are one response but must be
designed well. Safe and convenient access for pedestrians and
in larger developments for cyclists and service vehicles should
also be ensured.
Where pedestrian and vehicle access is shared, the design

should signal to drivers that they are entering a slow traffic,
pedestrian priority area. This can be achieved by:
Ensuring clear sight lines and direct access to clearly defined
pedestrian entrances;
Using of paved thresholds and other changes in paving to
reinforce the residential feel;
Provide Safe Access
Narrowing the width of the accessway, introducing small

offsets (to reduce vehicle speeds) or other traffic calming
measures;
a)Developments should be laid out to ensure the safe and

efficient movement of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
Using high quality paving and generous landscaping;
The layout and design of developments (including landscape

treatment) should ensure good visibility around accessways
onto the street and within manoeuvring areas. Where possible,
provide adequate turning space so vehicles can exit the site
without reversing.
Good Practice Tip:
Where a garage has the vehicle door facing a shared
accessway, the minimum garage door setback should be 7.0m
measured from the garage door to the kerb of the accessway.
On tighter sites, a reduced setback may be possible by
providing wider garage doors to allow a tighter turning circle.
In larger developments, separate pedestrian access and traffic

calming measures might be appropriate. Consideration should
also be given to the provision of cycle paths, connecting to the
wider cycle network, and secure, covered and conveniently
located cycle storage facilities within the development.
Providing generous landscaping including tree planting and;

Providing opportunities for personalisation around dwelling
entries and in private space.
Reduce the Visual Impact of Cars

b)Development should minimise the number of service and
vehicle access ways from the street.
c)Car parking and garage areas should not dominate the
development, particularly as viewed from the street or
neighbouring properties.
d)Parking areas at ground and upper levels within buildings are
encouraged to be located behind habitable rooms.
Limiting the number of vehicle access points from the
street helps to reinforce pedestrian priority along the footpath
and minimises the visual impact of driveways
on the street scene.
Image 5.1
Designing Shared Accessways for Pedestrian Priority
In both examples above the site layout allows a number of

units to be served by a single access from the street. Parking
is set back within the site to the rear of properties, allowing
habitable spaces within dwellings to front onto the street.
In the left image, access to the rear parking court is via an
archway with apartments above which helps to maintain
continuity of built frontage along the street.
Consider Underground or
Communal Parking
Communal parking can save space and money and make use of
corners or other awkward spaces within a site. Shared parking,
basement, undercroft and multi level parking can also reduce
the amount of land devoted to car parking, freeing up space for
open space and landscaping. If grouped parking is provided
it should be easily accessible to each unit and should be well
overlooked and well lit at night. Use landscaping to break
up long rows of parking bays or separate large car parks into
several smaller ones. Design parking areas as courtyard spaces
to provide greater amenity to the development.
e) Well-designed underground car parking is encouraged.
Reducing The Visual Impact of Car Parking And Garages

Set garages back from the front facade of the house;
Design double garages as two physically separated singles
or use stacked parking;
Underground or partially raised (undercroft) parking may

be feasible on some sites, particularly where changes in
topography across the site reduces the need for excavation.
Entrances to underground car parks need careful treatment.
Landscaping and attention to the style of garage doors will help
ensure they sit well within the street scene.
Use high quality sectional garage doors of a material and

colour which complement the design of the house;
Restrict hard paving or tarmac to areas essential for
manoeuvring;
Avoid locating driveways to neighbouring properties
adjacent to each other as this results in a long section of
street frontage dominated by car parking access; and
Use textured paving for driveways, rather than asphalt, and
soften the edges with planting.
Landscaping should be used to soften the appearance of

entranceways to underground car parks.
Double garages accessed directly off the street and in

combination with the adjacent right of way, results loss of
pedestrian priority on the public footpath and the visual
domination of driveway.
| 16
vi) Landscaping and Site Amenity
Landscaping, including tree and garden planting can reduce

the visual impact of taller buildings, soften the appearance
of large areas of hard surfacing and can provide screening to
garages, parked vehicles, services areas and internal boundary
fencing as well as give wider environmental benefits. A good
landscape scheme including a mix of tree and garden planting,
in combination with other landscape features and lighting can
ensure resident safety and contribute towards the amenity
and general sense of well being for residents. A high quality
landscape scheme can significantly enhance the appearance,
appeal and marketability of a development.
Use Planting to Improve Outlook

a)Soften areas of car parking, garages, side boundaries and
service areas with planting.
The location and choice of planting should improve the outlook
from the dwelling and the view from the street and neighbouring
properties into the development.
A landscape strip of taller planting down the centre of two

adjacent driveways can help reduce the visual impact of
parking.
Reduce Opportunities for Crime

b)Lighting, planting, fences and other structures should to be
designed to maximise the safety of occupants and visitors.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

CPTED is a set of principles that can be applied to the design
of new developments to help reduce both the fear of and
incidence of, crime and anti-social behaviour. There are four
key overlapping CPTED principles. They are:
1.Surveillance see and be seen - people are present and
can see what is going on.
2.Access management methods are used to attract people
and vehicles to some places and restrict them from others.
3.Territorial reinforcement clear boundaries encourage
community ownership of the space.
The creative use of space within a site, using hedging,
climbing plants or other space saving planting techniques
can be effective options where space is an issue.
4.Quality environments good quality, well maintained, well

lit, places attract people and support surveillance.
Image 6.1 below illustrates a few ways in which these
principles can be applied in the design of new residential
development.
Image 6. 1: Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
Provide Larger Vegetation

c)The distribution of landscaping throughout the development
and provision for larger vegetation is encouraged.
An even distribution of landscaping and provision of larger trees
throughout a development can help reduce the visual impact
of larger buildings and car parking and improves outlook from
a variety of view points both within the development and from
the street and give environmental benefit. Ensure adequate
pervious space is provided around plants to avoid restricting
growth and allowing natural access to rainwater. Planting
should be provided at entranceways, alongside driveways
and shared accessways, within front and rear gardens, along
internal site boundaries and on balconies or roof terraces.
Choosing Appropriate Plants

The biggest challenge with choosing plants is making sure
they are suitable for the location. Aside from how the plant
looks, this involves choosing plants that are the right size
when fully grown, identifying water and sunlight requirements,
frost, salt and wind tolerance, fragility, root growth and degree
of invasiveness.
Normally plants grow best in locations that are similar to
where they come from in the wild. All reputable nurseries
will be able to advise what conditions each plant likes best.
Landscape architects can offer design services and work with
nurseries to ensure the right plants are chosen for maximum
visual impact and long term growth.
Sources of further information:
Planting Guides:
New Zealand Garden in Style, Get the Look You Want
By Hallinan, Lynda (2004)
New Zealand City Garden Style, By Matthews, Julian (2000)
The Native Garden Design Themes from Wild New Zealand
By Gabites, Isobel (2007)
http://lucas-associates.co.nz/christchurch-banks-peninsula/
christchurch-ecosystems
Managing Pests:
http://ecan.govt.nz/advice/your-land/plant-animal-pests/
managing-plant-pests/pages/default
A mix of shrubs and trees are used to good effect to soften

the appearance of a shared driveway. The use of deeper
planting borders allows for larger vegetation including trees.
Image 6.2: Balance of Hard and Soft Landscaping
Hard landscape elements are also key ingredients of a

successful landscaping scheme. Low walls, kerbs, raised beds
and screens for example can give protection, shade and shelter
for plants as well as providing ornamentation in their own right.
Use Appropriate Plants

d)Landscape design is encouraged to use locally appropriate
plants, including those that minimise water and maintenance
requirements and promote biodiversity.
A well balanced landscape scheme incorporating a mix of

low shrubs and taller planting distributed evenly throughout
the development. Vegetation is used in combination with
hard landscaping (paved areas and footpaths) and structural
elements (such as planted screens)
| 18
VII) Outdoor living Space
Good quality outdoor living spaces can contribute significantly

to the amenity of a dwelling. They provide for personal
recreation and leisure needs, including opportunities for
outdoor dining, barbecues and entertaining. Outdoor living
space also allows for residents to engage in personal hobbies
such as gardening, landscaping and food growing. Convenient
access to outdoor areas promotes general health and well
being, providing access to daylight and encouraging a
connection with nature.
Image 7.1: Configuration of Outdoor Living Space
Choose the Best Location

a)Developments should locate outdoor living spaces to optimise
useable space and provide a pleasant outlook for unit
occupants.
b)Private outdoor living spaces, including balconies and
terraces, should link directly to main living areas within the
residential unit.
Locate outdoor spaces to receive optimal sunlight exposure,
provide an attractive outlook for internal spaces, while sheltering
from cold winds and preserving the privacy of residents. Linking
outdoor areas with the main living areas (e.g. living rooms, dining
areas, kitchens and bedrooms) encourages their use, improves
outlook and provides greater flexibility for small spaces by allowing
them to function as extensions to the indoor areas of the house
(see image 7.2 below).
Try and ensure outdoor spaces are regularly shaped, located

on relatively flat ground and have a minimum dimension
of no less than 4m. A single large outdoor area offers more
flexibility than a series of smaller physically separate spaces.
It is preferable that outdoor living spaces are located

at ground floor level for ease of use. However, balconies or
roof terraces may be appropriate in some situations provided
they are of a usable size, adequately sheltered and provide
an appropriate degree of privacy. Inset or recessed balconies
provide for a more protected outdoor space with greater comfort
for an extended period of the year.
Roof terraces can be an option in situations where providing

outdoor living space at ground level is not practical.
Outdoor spaces should be able to accommodate a range

of typical garden furniture such as tables, sheds and
barbeques.
Image 7.3 Communal Open Space
Outdoor living spaces should connect with the main living

area of the house. Wide opening patio doors facilitate a
visual connection between the indoor and outdoor area and
enable it to function effectively as an extension of main living
area.
Communal open space should be located centrally within a

development so that it is easily accessible by all residents.
Arranging units so that they overlook the outdoor space
provides a positive outlook and improves safety.
Consider Communal Spaces

c)Communal outdoor living spaces should be consolidated,
accessible, usable and attractive whilst avoiding loss of
privacy or amenity for residents and neighbours.
d)The provision of communal open space and facilities is
encouraged for multi-level apartment developments.
Design Principles For Communal Open Space
Communal outdoor living areas should be:
of an appropriate size for the number of people they serve;
attractive and provide a pleasant outlook for neighbouring
properties;
equally accessible and convenient to use by all units in a
development;
multi-purpose - include facilities or features that appeal
to all ages and that make it suitable for a range of different
activities (e.g. play equipment, sports pitches, seating
areas, landscaped areas etc);
An attractive and well designed communal outdoor space
Good Practice Tip:

Communal outdoor space should be located and designed
not to cause a nuisance or loss of amenity to neighbours.
Ensure that an adequate buffer zone is provided between the
outdoor space and adjacent properties and consider carefully
the location of facilities that generate a lot of activity (e.g.
play areas, sports pitches).
safe to use - provide adequate lighting and ensure the space

is well overlooked by adjacent properties; and
easy to maintain.
| 20
Image 7.2: Linking Outdoor Spaces with Main Living areas
VIII) Service Areas and Utilities
Accommodating the servicing requirements of residential

development is an important design consideration. This requires
giving thought to how waste is stored and collected and how
the general outdoor storage and service space (e.g. for clothes
drying) needs of a household are met. Ideally, storage and
service areas should not be visible from the street as they
provide a poor first impression of a development and degrade
the amenity of the streetscape. It is also important to ensure that
building services infrastructure (e.g. heat exchanges, lift plant
etc) are visually integrated into a development to avoid causing
unsightly clutter.
Provide Adequate Storage

and Service Space
a)Position service areas to minimise adverse visual, noise or
odour amenity effects and to enable practical use.
b)Rubbish storage areas, letter boxes, utility boxes and other
service facilities should be visually integrated into the
development frontage.
d)Ensure storage space is easily accessible and provides for a
range of recreational and maintenance equipment.
Poorly designed waste storage points can undermine a

developments visual appeal as well as interfere with pedestrian
movement and present potential health and safety risks. As
with general storage areas, the first preference is for provision
to be made at the side or rear of properties, out of view from the
street but easily accessed by residents. Where bins are stored
at the front of the property, appropriate screening should be
provided to minimise their visual impact. This may take the
form of landscaping, a small building, an enclosure or screen.
Alternatively, it may be possible to integrate storage areas into
other domestic features such as a boundary wall so that they
complement the design of the house. Containment can help to
minimise any adverse noise (e.g. the sound of smashing bottles)
or odours.
Good Practice Tip:
For the convenience of residents and to encourage their use,
the distance between rubbish storage area and collection
point should be kept to a minimum (a maximum of 20 metres
is a good rule of thumb) and the route should be of a gentle
gradient, free of steps or obstructions. It is also important
to ensure ease of access and manoeuvrability for collection
vehicles.
Image 8.1 Locating Outdoor Storage Areas
Outdoor service and storage areas perform an important

function, freeing up internal storage space, especially for
recreational or maintenance equipment and larger household
items and can accommodate domestic activities such as drying
clothes. The design and location of these spaces should seek
to minimise any adverse visual impact whilst maximising their
functionality.
Locate service and storage areas away from primary views
from main living areas, the street and neighbouring properties.
The side or rear of properties are usually appropriate locations
provided they can be readily accessed, preferably from a service
room such as kitchen, laundry or garage (see image 8.1). Each
unit is required to have a minimum of 5 sq. m of storage and
service space (with a minimum dimension of 1.5m) to enable
them to provide a range of appropriate functions. They should
be conveniently located in relation to each residential unit.
In the example above, the outdoor storage and servicing area

is located to side of the houses, out of view from the street
or principal living areas. Providing a convenient and direct
connection with both the garage and main outdoor living area,
enables good practical use to be made of the outdoor space
and allows items such as lawnmowers and general gardening
equipment to be stored close to their end use.
Consider providing self-contained storage units,

especially where garage space is limited.
| 22
Communal storage facilities may be appropriate within larger

developments provided they can be located to be easily
accessible to all units. There should be adequate lighting, good
natural ventilation and facilities should be easy to maintain (an
impervious floor will permit washing down). Ensure that refuse
storage areas are physically separate from bicycle stores and
are designed to visually integrate with the rest of
the development.
Integrate Building Services

c)Building services, such as external access ways and
mechanical, electrical and communications equipment should
be integrated within buildings.
Building Services
Building service such as drain pipes, satellite dishes, lift
plant, external stairs, mail boxes and utility boxes, can
add to the visual clutter of a development and need to be
appropriately integrated so as not to detract from the quality
or appearance of the development as whole. Measures could
include:
Providing recessed channels for down-pipes or routing of
flues/outlets to non-sensitive elevations.
Providing communal provision for items such as satellite
dishes and other telecommunications apparatus from the
outset as part of the building design.
Integration of post boxes within boundary walls.
Locating utility meters and service connections in discreet
locations or concealing them from view (but maintaining
easy access for utility companies.
Storage space for wheelie bins can be screened from view

using planted screens.
Storage space should be of sufficient size to accommodate

3 standard sized wheelie bins for general waste, recyclable
materials and organics.
Concealing roof mounted mechanical and electrical

apparatus behind a parapet or extended wall.
Try and integrate letter boxes into the development frontage

as shown here to avoid the need for a number of separate
free standing letter boxes along the street.
IX) Residential Amenity
All residential units should provide a high standard of living

environment to occupants. The size and layout of rooms,
levels of acoustic insulation and privacy are also important
considerations in this regard. With higher density housing,
constraints on outdoor living space mean that the quality of the
internal living environment becomes increasingly important.
Developments which provide a good level of internal amenity
are likely to sell faster, will be easier to let (and have lower
turnover rates) and will be better maintained in the long term.
Let the Sun In

a)The location, orientation and internal design of residential
units should balance outlook and sunlight with the privacy of
internal occupants and neighbouring residential units.
Ensuring that each room in a house receives adequate daylight
avoids the need for artificial lighting and contributes towards
a pleasant internal living environment. Skylights, atriums
and light wells can be used to allow sunlight penetration into
internal spaces without exterior windows. High level windows
can be used where privacy is an issue or to restrict views of
service or storage areas whilst maintaining sunlight access.
But these are not generally a good solution for street facing
facades. Generous floor-to-ceiling heights promote allow for
taller windows and greater solar penetration into interior spaces
and facilitate the use of taller windows. This is particularly
important for deep floor plan and single aspect apartments.
Opaque glass and extending fins help to provide privacy by

restricting views from street level and between units on the
same level. Opaque glass also screens washing from the
street.
Image 9.1: Protecting Privacy through Window Placement
Good Practice Tip:

As a rule of thumb, for optimum sunlight access, floor to
ceiling heights for apartment buildings should be a minimum
of 2.7m for habitable rooms.
Protect Privacy
b)Orientate and screen windows and balconies on upper levels
to limit direct overlooking of adjacent dwellings or their
outdoor living space.
The size, placement and orientation of window openings
should have regard for the need to minimise direct overlooking
between properties, either on the same site or of neighbouring
properties and their private spaces. Consider offsetting
window openings, using high level windows or orientating
windows 90 degrees (see image 9.1 below).
Balconies can be recessed or designed with inter-tenancy
privacy screens or enclosed sides to limit overlooking between
units in the same development. Alternatively, balconies can
be orientated to avoid overlooking a development located
directly opposite. Solid or semi-opaque infill panels to the
front of balconies, balustrades or planter boxes can help
provide a degree of privacy from the street. Operable screens
and shutters can increase the usefulness of balconies by
providing weather protection and daylight control as well as
privacy screening.
| 24
Provide Housing Choice

c)Developments are encouraged to provide a variety of unit
types and sizes to accommodate a range of households.
Residential accommodation needs to cater for a diversity of
living types in order to maintain housing choice. Providing for a
range of unit sizes, from single bedroom flats through to 4 & 5
bedroom houses can help to create diverse
and demographically balanced neighbourhoods, catering for
a wide variety of housing needs and responding to different
income levels.
The appropriate mix of unit sizes and types will vary
depending on the specific neighbourhood context, site
characteristics, the supply and mix of housing locally,
development economics and market demand or need. On
larger sites, including apartments can be an effective way of
maintaining site density without sacrificing levels of amenity or
the availability of land for open space.
Developers should consider the need for non-traditional
housing typologies such as live-work units and studios, mixeduse developments or communal living facilities (e.g. student
flats, elderly housing or temporary worker accommodation).
A variety of unit sizes and types contributes to a varied building form.
X) Environmental Efficiency
Building homes that exceed basic insulation levels, which are

designed to maximize energy efficiency and are built using
green building technologies will help to reduce the impact of
new buildings on the environment. Building homes with the
environment in mind also delivers benefits to the occupier or
homeowner in the form of warmer, drier, healthier homes that
are cheaper to run.
Capture The Sun

a)The design, orientation and layout of developments is
encouraged to minimise energy use.
Significant savings can be made in the amount of energy
used for heating, cooling and lighting by following a few basic
principles of passive solar design:
Concentrate glazing on northern elevations (preferably within
30 degrees of north) to maximise solar gain in winter and use
landscaping (especially deciduous trees), overhanging eaves,
shades, screens or awnings to prevent overheating in summer.
Wide frontage floor plans allow greater areas of north facing
elevations suitable for a passive solar design approach.
Avoid large areas of glazing on south and west facing
elevations to minimise heat loss and avoid over heating.
Locate principal living areas on the northern side of the house.
Reduce the need for artificial lighting by ensuring each room in
the house receives adequate daylight by making good use of
windows and skylights.
T he arrangement of dwellings on a site should minimise the
extent to which buildings shade each other.
E xplore opportunities for installing passive solar heating
for water.
Use materials with a high thermal mass such as exposed
concrete, masonry or stone (see below).
Louvers on north facing windows can help prevent

overheating in summer months.
Save Energy
Locate opening windows on opposite sides of the house to
enable natural cross ventilation.
Ensure kitchens and bathrooms are vented outside.
Avoid the use of downlights as they can use 2-3 times more
electricity to light a room than traditional lighting and also
permit heat loss by creating vents in the ceiling.
E xplore opportunities for producing electricity from the sun
(photovoltaic panels) or wind (small turbines).
Consider installing solar thermal panels for heating water.
Introduce trees where necessary to reduce wind speed around
new developments.
Install energy efficient appliances, lighting and heating.
Go beyond the minimum requirements of the building code for
wall, ceiling and floor insulation.
Image 10.1 Capture the Suns Free Energy
| 26
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is the ability of materials to absorb energy.
Correct use of thermal mass moderates internal temperatures
by averaging day/night extremes, increasing comfort and
reducing energy costs. Exposed concrete floors or walls made
from heavy materials such as concrete, stone or masonry,
absorb heat during summer, keeping a house comfortable.
In winter, heat from the sun or heaters is stored and released
at night, helping to keep the house warm. Whatever thermal
mass is used, it must be exposed to direct sunlight during
winter months and have minimal exposure to sun in summer
months. This can be achieved through a combination of
orientation, use of shading devices, floor plan (for example, a
shallower north-south floor plan will allow more sun exposure
for a concrete floor slab), and window sizing and placement.
Image 10.2: Achieving Natural cross ventilation
Consider the Environmental

Impact of Building Materials
b)Developments are encouraged to use materials that
minimise resource consumption.
Large amounts of energy and resources are used in the
extraction, processing, transportation and use of materials for
construction. To reduce the environmental impact of buildings,
consider using recycled or salvaged materials or use materials
from renewable sources. Locally sourced materials are a good
choice, especially for heavy or bulky products. Select materials
which are durable and can be easily maintained. To reduce
wastage, use standard sizes and select materials and systems
for ease of construction and installation.
Manage Stormwater Run-Off

c)On-site measures to reduce, treat or re-use storm water
runoff are encouraged.
Natural ventilation is used to expel warm stuffy air from a

building through convection. This process relies on there
being two openings, one for the air to enter and one for the
air to escape. Because warm air has the natural tendency
to rise, natural ventilation works best when one ventilation
opening is placed low down the wall (where the air is coolest)
and a second opening at a higher level, possibly in the ceiling
or roofspace.
Stormwater is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as
rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. Usually,
this water flows into stormwater drains or enters rivers and
lakes directly as overland flow, often becoming contaminated
with pollution and waste. Stormwater management techniques
(such as permeable paving, swales, green roofs, rain gardens
etc), can be used to store, collect, treat or reduce stormwater,
helping to maintain the quality of Christchurchs waterways.
Permeable paving helps to reduce surface water run-off by

allowing rainfall to soak into the ground.
For further information on environmental design visit:

Green roofs can reduce stormwater run-off by absorbing
rainfall.
http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/
DesigningBuildingANewHome.pdf
www.homestar.org.nz
www.lifemark.co.nz/home

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Building Multi-unit Housing

(In Living 3 zones)

Using this Guide

Site & Context  3

Relationship to street and public spaces 6

III Corner Sites 10

Access and car parking 15

VI Landscaping and site amenity 17

1 | Building muliti-unit housing

(In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

EDM and CHRM

Building muliti-unit housing (In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

I) Site & Context

b)Developments should be sympathetic to nearby listed

Good Practice Tip:

This development relates well to its context. Front balconies

3 | Building muliti-unit housing

(In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

New development can respond to heritage buildings by

Make the Connections

Adapt Existing Buildings

The following principles should help to inform proposals for

Retain Existing Trees

Image 1.2 Respond To Local Environmental Conditions

Building muliti-unit housing (In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

The height of buildings and the effect of this on the outlook of

In this development, large windows on the upper level

Creating of viewing platforms such as balconies or roof

Image 1.3 Site Analysis

5 | Building muliti-unit housing

(In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

(II) Relationship with the Street & Public Open Spaces

A buildings relationship to the street and other public spaces

Face the Street

Raising living spaces above ground level can provide a sense

a)Buildings should orientate towards the street and be

Orientating the front and rear units of multi-unit

Placing higher kitchen windows on the frontage.

Building muliti-unit housing (In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

Highlight Pedestrian Entrances

This development achieves a good orientation towards the

There are a number of ways in which the appearance and

Locating habitable rooms such as kitchens, living areas, dining

A clearly defined pedestrian entrance through the use of

Image 2.2 above shows a possible configuration of internal

7 | Building muliti-unit housing

(In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

Enable Views of the Street

Avoid High Solid Fencing

d) Facades facing the street should have a generous extent of

e)Ensure fences and landscaping do not obstruct

As a rule of thumb, street facing facades should have a

Low fencing provides demarcation of private and public space,

A generous proportion of glazing evenly distributed between

The City plan requires that when fences or other screening

Building muliti-unit housing (In Living 3 zones) An Urban Design Guide

Use Quality Materials for Fencing

A low height, high quality front boundary wall which

Site & Context 3

Relationship to street and public spaces 6

III Corner Sites 10

Access and car parking 15

VI Landscaping and site amenity 17

b)Developments should be sympathetic to nearby listed

The height of buildings and the effect of this on the outlook of

Creating of viewing platforms such as balconies or roof

a)Buildings should orientate towards the street and be

Placing higher kitchen windows on the frontage.

d) Facades facing the street should have a generous extent of

e)Ensure fences and landscaping do not obstruct

a)Buildings on corner sites should orientate towards all

f)Architectural features and a variety of materials and colours

Narrowing the width of the accessway, introducing small

a)Developments should be laid out to ensure the safe and

Using high quality paving and generous landscaping;

Providing generous landscaping including tree planting and;

Use high quality sectional garage doors of a material and

4.Quality environments good quality, well maintained, well