Built form and Streetscape
15According to the contentions, the following SEPP 65 design principles are relevant in this regard:
Principle 3: Built form
Good design achieves an appropriate built form for a site and the building's purpose, in terms of building alignments, proportions, building type and the manipulation of building elements.
Appropriate built form defines the public domain, contributes to the character of streetscapes and parks, including their views and vistas, and provides internal amenity and outlook.
Principle 10: Aesthetics
Quality aesthetics require the appropriate composition of building elements, textures, materials and colours and reflect the use, internal design and structure of the development. Aesthetics should respond to the environment and context, particularly to desirable elements of the existing streetscape or, in precincts undergoing transition, contribute to the desired future character of the area.
16Accordingly, the overall effect of the modification is for:
* 1 X bed units; an increase from 14 to 28 = +14
* 2 x bed units; a decrease from 40 to 37 = (3)
* 3 x bed units; a decrease from 4 to 1 = (3)
17With regard to the built form and streetscape issues, these modifications typically involve the introduction of 3 x 1 bed units (approx areas of 60 sq m) in lieu of the original 2 x 2 bed units (approx areas of 88 sq m), which then require addition balcony area, within the original setback. This is shown by reference to a typical floor plan, such as Building A - Level 3.
18The original consent allows 4 units along the northern elevation and the modification now is for the area of the middle units A304 and A305 (2 bed & 88 sq m) to be converted to 3 x 1 bed units with an area of approximately 60 sq m each. This conversion requires the infill of the recessed front wall façade to enable balconies of 10 sq m (approx) for each of these 3 new units. The original design includes fixing a vertical coloured panel to the wall recess adjacent to units A304/305 to accentuate the articulation of the front façade.
19A consequence of the proposed modification is that the inclusion of the balconies necessitates the removal of the coloured panel and replacement with a set of coloured vertical grilles, each separated by approximately 500mm. This results in a partial enclosure of the balconies and a different street presentation.
20Mr Olsson says that as the site has a relatively long 82.5m frontage to Dumaresq Street, the façade requires " a substantial amount of articulation, a harmonious composition of façade elements and the concealment of unattractive service items ".
21According to Mr Olsson, this outcome is not achieved by the modification because it significantly detracts from the approved "floating boxes" theme, which presents clear, horizontal balconies framed into distinct bays separated by the solid panel resulting a more cohesive street presentation. In particular, he is dissatisfied that the modified street elevation will have an unbroken stretch of balconies 32 m long, which does enhance the development. Furthermore, he considers the amenity of the modified balconies severely compromised.
22However, Mr Newbold says that the articulation benefits of the recessed wall are likely to be limited in the context and not readily discernible. Instead he says that more importantly from most vantage points along Dumaresq Street the predominant contributors to articulation would be the 12m separation between Buildings A and B, which will be accentuated by canopy landscaping, as well as the indented undercroft and setbacks for the penthouse levels. This limits the height and scale of the framed balcony elements to 3 storeys, which he considers results in an acceptable streetscape presentation.
23Another design modification, which impacts on the streetscape, is to the balcony configurations in Building B, which arise due to the internal reconfiguration. It is proposed to introduce new balconies on the western elevation to replace bedroom windows. On the eastern side the mainly rectangular balconies are reconfigured to an irregular 'L' shape.
24According to Mr Newbold, these modifications involving the substantial replacement of masonry area with glass, 'lightens up' the appearance of the structure creating an acceptable streetscape presentation.
25Insofar as I acknowledge that this modification improves sunlight access to the units, nevertheless it seems to me that these modifications change the symmetry and overall design theme presented by the 2 building cells on the site. Accordingly, I do not consider this change improves or enhances the existing buildings symmetrical design street presentation, as stated by Mr Olsson.
26In assessment of the disparate opinions on urban design, I have considered the proposed modified elevations with the original approval, together with reference to the photomontages and undertaken a view. It is apparent to me that the original approval does convey the 'floating boxes theme', which is accentuated by the articulation of the façade, the recessed area between the 2 main building components and the set of solid coloured panels.
27Taking into account the local context and the relatively long street frontage, I consider the streetscape presentation of the original is superior, in terms of the good design principles, as stated by Mr Olsson. I agree with his opinion that the replacement vertical grilles that appear to "cage" the middle balconies, are an unusual feature in the overall design and would likely detract from the building form consistency and its streetscape presentation.
28Likewise, I consider the amended balcony designs in Building B disrupt the overall design theme and consequently this is a negative element of the modification.
Internal amenity
29As noted, the reconfiguration of the approved floor plate to add more 1 x bedroom units raised contentions regarding adequacy of room sizes, orientation, balcony utility and solar amenity. The contentions refer to the following RFDC design principles:
Principle 5: Resource, energy and water efficiency
Good design makes efficient use of natural resources, energy and water throughout its full life cycle, including construction.
Sustainability is integral to the design process. Aspects include demolition of existing structures, recycling of materials, selection of appropriate and sustainable materials, adaptability and reuse of buildings, layouts and built form, passive solar design principles, efficient appliances and mechanical services, soil zones for vegetation and reuse of water.
Principle 7: Amenity
Good design provides amenity through the physical, spatial and environmental quality of a development.
Optimising amenity requires appropriate room dimensions and shapes, access to sunlight, natural ventilation, visual and acoustic privacy, storage, indoor and outdoor space, efficient layouts and service areas, outlook and ease of access for all age groups and degrees of mobility.
30By reference to the typical floor plan for Building A, Level 3, the following changes are proposed within the area covered by A304 and A305:
ORIGINAL MODIFICATION
A304; 2 Bed/ 88 sq m A304; 1 Bed/ 60 sq m
A305; 2Bed/88 sq m A305; 1 Bed/56 sq m
A306;1 Bed/60 sq m