Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Apartment Design

Guidelines for Victoria

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Cover: Collins and Queen (Rothelowman). Photography by Scott Burrows.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 3

Contents

Introduction 4

Structure of the Guidelines 5

Application of the apartment

standards 6

Urban context and design response 7

Section 1 | SITING AND BUILDING ARRANGEMENT 11

Guidance to building setback 11

Guidance to communal open space 20

Guidance to solar access to communal outdoor open space 24

Guidance to landscaping 26

Guidance to building entry and circulation 34

Section 2 | BUILDING PERFORMANCE 38

Guidance to noise impacts 38

Guidance to energy efciency 44

Guidance to waste and recycling 47

Guidance to integrated water and stormwater management 51

Section 3 | DWELLING AMENITY 54

Guidance to functional layout 54

Guidance to room depth 57

Guidance to windows 60

Guidance to storage 63

Guidance to natural ventilation 66

Guidance to private open space 69

Guidance to accessibility 73

Glossary 77

4 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that apartments deliver

diverse and affordable housing options to meet the long-term needs of the

Victorian community. There is a need to lift the quality and functionality of

apartments to benet the health and well-being of residents, and improve

environmental performance.

Improving

apartment design

The Apartment Standards

(Standards) are intended to

improve apartment design

in Victoria. The design of

apartment buildings that

suitably responds to context

and successfully incorporates

the apartment standards and

guidelines requires specialist

design capabilities. It is

important for the success of

the project to select a team of

design professionals to be led

by an experienced architect

or building designer who

can analyse and integrate

the multiple requirements

into a successful design that

contributes positively to

the urban context and the

neighbourhood character.

Alternative design solutions

may be proposed and the

responsible authority will

assess how an alternative

solution meets the objectives.

This is an important aspect of

innovation.

Purpose of the

guidelines

The Apartment Design

Guidelines for Victoria provide

assistance to applicants,

architects, building designers

and planners for designing

and assessing apartment

developments.

The Guidelines provide

additional explanation of the

apartment standards in the

Interpreting the Standards

section and guidance on

matters to consider to

meet the objectives of the

apartment standards in the

Design Guidance section.

The Guidelines are also

intended to support greater

consistency in the planning

permit assessment phase of

an apartment development.

The Guidelines are

complemented by the Urban

Design Guidelines for Victoria

which provide best practice

knowledge and advice to

inform the design of buildings

in relation to the function and

amenity of the public realm.

Introduction

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 5

The Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria are arranged in three sections

as follows. All three sections and their elements are interrelated and require an

integrated approach to achieve the objectives. For ease of reference, each section

includes the standards, objectives and decision guidelines for each standard. The

guidelines include further interpretation where required, and suggestions for how

the objectives can be achieved.

Section 1.

SITING AND BUILDING

ARRANGEMENT

This section reinforces the

importance of urban context

report and design response

as a starting point for design

and considers Standards

primarily related to the

design and conguration

of buildings at a site scale.

This involves assessing the

immediate context, adjacent

buildings and public realm.

The guidelines relate to how

the building envelope (its

three dimensional volume) is

established through applying

appropriate building types,

orientation and setbacks.

Siting the building also

establishes where communal

open space is located, how

landscape is incorporated

into the proposal and how

entries and shared circulation

is arranged. This section

includes the following

standards:

1. Building setback

2. Communal open space

3. Solar access to communal

outdoor open space

4. Landscaping

5. Building entry and

circulation

Section 2.

BUILDING PERFORMANCE

This section provides

guidance about performance

issues which need to be

considered in designing

the building such as noise

impacts, energy performance

and management of water

and waste. These issues

require consideration at both

a site scale and at a more

detailed building systems

level. These Standards relate

closely to other environmental

assessment tools and typically

require specialist input to

support the design response.

This section includes the

following Standards:

6. Noise impacts

7. Energy efciency

8. Waste and recycling

9. Integrated water and

stormwater management

Section 3.

DWELLING AMENITY

This section introduces

guidance related to the

detailed design of individual

dwellings. The guidelines

address amenity issues

such as access to daylight

and ventilation through

arrangements of windows

and room depth as well as

functional and accessible

layouts of internal and

external space. This section

includes the following

standards:

10. Functional layout

11. Room depth

12. Windows

13. Storage

14. Natural ventilation

15. Private open space

16. Accessibility

Structure of the Guidelines

6 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

The Standards apply to all apartment developments in Victoria.

The Standards have been

introduced to the Victoria

Planning Provisions and all

planning schemes in:

• A new clause in Clause 55

(Two or more dwellings

on a lot and Residential

buildings) at Clause 55.07,

and

• A new Particular Provision

at Clause 58 (Apartments).

Apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone will continue to be

assessed against most of

the standards under Clause

55 (which includes new

Apartment Standards at

Clause 57).

Apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones

will be assessed against

Clause 58.

The guidelines relate to

both the new Clause 58

provisions and the new Clause

55.07 provisions. Refer to

Planning Advisory Note 66:

New planning provisions for

apartment developments –

Amendment VC136 (April

2017) for details of how the

new standards for apartment

developments are given effect

in both the amended Clause

55 and new Clause 58.

Operation of

the apartment

standards

The apartment provisions

operate in the same way

that Clauses 54 and 55

operate to assess residential

development in the Victoria

Planning Provisions.

The apartment provisions

contain Objectives, Standards

and Decision guidelines.

Objectives describe the

desired outcomes to be

achieved in the completed

development.

A Standard contains the

requirements to meet the

objective. A standard should

normally be met. However, if

the responsible authority is

satised that an alternative

design solution meets the

objective, the alternative

design solution may be

considered.

Decision guidelines set

out the matters that the

responsible authority must

consider before deciding

if an application meets

the objectives. When an

alternative design solution

is proposed, the effect

of the design solution on

the achievement of other

objectives should be

considered.

Requirements

An apartment development:

• Must meet of the objectives

of Clause 55 or Clause 58.

• Should meet the standards

of Clause 55 or Clause 58.

The apartment standards

contained in Clause 55.07

cannot be varied in a schedule

to the zone. A select number

of the existing standards

under Clause 55 continue to

have the ability to be varied

by schedules to the zones.

The Neighbourhood

Character Overlay will

continue to allow variations

to most of the standards

of Clause 55 except for the

apartment standards in

Clause 55.07 and existing key

amenity standards such as

overshadowing and daylight

to new and existing windows.

Apartment standards in

Clause 58 cannot be varied

in a schedule to the zone or

an overlay, except for the

Building setback standard

(Clause 58.04-1).

Application of the apartment

standards

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 7

Urban context and design response

Neighbourhood

and site

description and

design response

For apartment developments

of four storeys or less

(excluding a basement)

in a residential zone, the

Victoria Planning Provisions

in Clause 55.01 requires a

Neighbourhood and site

description and design

response to be prepared

and submitted with an

application. A neighbourhood

site description accurately

describes the features

or characteristics of the

neighbourhood and the site.

A neighbourhood and site

description is a factual record

of the physical features of the

neighbourhood and the site.

Therefore, the description

should be impartial and

describe both the positive

and negative features of the

neighbourhood and the site.

A design response must

explain how the proposed

design:

• derives from and responds

to the neighbourhood and

site description. It involves

evaluating the inuence

that features identied in

the description should have

on the design

• meets the objectives of

Clause 55

• responds to any

neighbourhood character

features for the area

identied in a local planning

policy or a Neighbourhood

Character Overlay.

For more information on

preparing a neighbourhood

and site description and

design response refer to the

following documents available

on the department’s website:

• Planning Practice Note

16: Making a planning

application for one or more

dwellings in a Residential

zone

• Planning Practice Note

43: Understanding

Neighbourhood Character.

Urban context

report and design

response

For apartment developments

of ve or more storeys

(excluding a basement) in

a residential zone and all

apartment developments

in other zones, the Victoria

Planning Provisions in Clause

58.01 requires a Urban context

report and design response to

be prepared and submitted

with an application. A urban

context report accurately

describes the features or

characteristics of the urban

context and the site.

An urban context report

is not a justication for a

preconceived design. It is a

factual record of the physical

features of the urban context

and the site. Therefore,

the description should be

impartial and describe both

the positive and negative

features of the urban context

and the site.

A design response must

explain how the proposed

design:

• derives from and responds

to the urban context report.

It involves evaluating the

inuence that features

identied in the description

should have on the design

• meets the objectives of the

Clause 58

• responds to any relevant

planning provisions that

applies to the land.

• responds to any relevant

housing, urban design and

landscape plan, strategy or

policy.

8 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Urban context

The starting point for a

new apartment design is

its urban context. Urban

context refers to the strategic

setting of a development. It

includes the natural, social

and economic environment

of the area, existing physical

surroundings, features that

make a particular place

distinctive, neighbourhood

character, and the likely future

character of the area. In some

cases, urban context refers to

valued aspects of the existing

character, and in other

circumstances, such as urban

renewal precincts, it may refer

to an emerging or preferred

future character.

Across Victoria, each location

and site is different. Dening

the context establishes the

parameters for apartment

development and how new

buildings should respond to

the character of an area. The

development proposal will

derive its own design response

from its unique urban context.

It will need to demonstrate

that it takes into account the

context and all the standards,

to deliver acceptable

apartment amenity and

support the liveability of

surrounding neighbourhoods.

Design response

The neighbourhood and site

description or urban context

report assists in determining

the most appropriate building

type and site layout for

residential developments.

Different building types

may be appropriate

within different contexts

depending on individual site

characteristics. A context may

have more than one building

type, scale and character, or

multiple interface conditions

such as public space,

commercial uses and so on.

It may be appropriate for

the development to respond

by providing a diversity of

building forms and dwelling

types.

A design response derives

from and responds to the

neighbourhood and site

description or urban context

report, and any applicable

local planning provisions, as

well as the objectives within

the Standards.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 9

Central City (Tower and Podium)

This context is characterised by taller building

forms, often as tower and podium, such

as found in central city areas. These areas

are characterised by high commercial and

residential intensity, high site coverage and

a strong urban character. Considerations

for residential apartment development in

this context include managing complex

relationships with adjacent buildings and

spaces. This urban context may include

heritage buildings and places, adjacent tall

buildings and high amenity public spaces.

In this context, planning schemes outline

detailed controls for building setback and

height. The design response in this context

should generally increase setbacks with

building height and may require consideration

of wind effects, noise and availability of public

open space.

Activity Centres

This context is characterised by medium rise

built form, typically on larger or consolidated

sites. These areas have medium to high

levels of residential and commercial intensity

and an active public realm. New apartment

developments which may include mixed uses,

often have zero setbacks to the street frontage

and may be adjacent to heritage and other

sensitive interfaces. Planning controls may be

in place detailing preferred character and built

form. The design response will typically require

high site coverage at lower levels, with setbacks

required at upper levels.

Guidance on responding to contexts

There are distinctive features and characteristics in different contexts that need to be considered

in designing an apartment development. The following section outlines four typical contexts:

Central City (Tower and Podium), Activity Centres, Neighbourhood Centres and Residential

Neighbourhoods.

10 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Neighbourhood Centres

This context is characterised by varied

site congurations, typically in established

shopping strips. Lower rise buildings on smaller

sites are generally built up to side boundaries,

and to the street frontage. New apartment

development may interface with sensitive lower

density residential uses or heritage buildings.

Development should address the pattern of

building setbacks, amenity of surrounding

dwellings, and the quality and type of

landscape.

Specic planning controls may be in place to

guide built form and character. The building

form above street frontages may require

further setbacks with front and rear orientation

of apartments appropriate for narrow inll sites

to achieve amenity objectives.

Residential Neighbourhoods

This context is characterised by lower rise

residential buildings, including detached

houses and townhouses as well as inll

apartment development in appropriate

residential zones.

New apartment development should be

responsive to the low rise residential character

of the area.

Low rise apartment buildings typically require

setbacks to the street and other boundaries to

achieve amenity objectives and respond to the

preferred landscape character.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 11

Section 1 | SITING AND BUILDING

ARRANGEMENT

Guidance to building setback

Why this is important

Building setbacks at side,

rear and internal to the site

contribute to apartment

amenity by providing

access to daylight, sunlight,

visual privacy, outlook and

ventilation to buildings,

and may provide space

for landscaping. Setbacks

will vary in response to a

building’s urban context and

contribute to the character

of the area. Setbacks ensure

acceptable apartment

amenity is derived from within

the site and from the public

realm.

Application

Clause 58.04-1 (Building

setback) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Building setback

objectives (Clause 58.04-1)

To ensure the setback of a

building from a boundary

appropriately responds to

the existing urban context or

contributes to the preferred

future development of the

area.

To allow adequate daylight

into new dwellings.

To limit views into habitable

room windows and private

open space of new and

existing dwellings.

To provide a reasonable

outlook from new dwellings.

To ensure the building

setbacks provide appropriate

internal amenity to meet the

needs of residents.

Standard (D14)

The built form of the

development must respect the

existing or preferred urban

context and respond to the

features of the site.

Buildings should be set

back from side and rear

boundaries, and other

buildings within the site to:

• Ensure adequate daylight

into new habitable room

windows.

• Avoid direct views into

habitable room windows

and private open space of

new and existing dwellings.

Developments should avoid

relying on screening to

reduce views.

• Provide an outlook from

dwellings that creates

a reasonable visual

connection to the external

environment.

• Ensure the dwellings are

designed to meet the

objectives of Clause 58.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The purpose of the zone

and/or overlay that applies

to the land.

• Any relevant urban

design objective, policy or

statement set out in this

scheme.

• The urban context report.

• The design response.

• The relationship between

the proposed building

setback and the building

setbacks of existing

adjacent buildings,

including the interface with

laneways.

• The extent to which the

proposed dwellings are

provided with reasonable

daylight access through

the layout of rooms and the

number, size, location and

orientation of windows.

• The impact of overlooking

on the amenity of existing

and proposed dwellings.

• The existing extent of

overlooking into existing

dwellings and private open

space.

• Whether the development

meets the objectives of

Clause 58.

12 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Interpreting the standard

A setback dimension is measured from the site boundary to the external surface of the habitable

room window or the open side of the balcony, whichever is the lesser.

Measure setbacks to laneways from the centre of the laneway.

Access to daylight is concerned largely with how much daylight enters a room, regardless of

orientation and the sun’s path through the sky. Access to sunlight is different, as it is concerned

solely with how much of the suns path through the sky can be seen from windows within the room

and is dependent on orientation.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 13

1.1 Establish building setbacks to respond to the existing or preferred urban context.

→ GUIDANCE: Every site has unique characteristics and will require a site specic design response

to building setbacks.

Site characteristics which inuence setbacks may include:

• Site orientation

• Scale and type of surrounding buildings

• Existing or preferred future patterns of building setbacks

• Site features such as existing signicant vegetation

• Important view lines such as towards heritage buildings

• Offsite impacts such as overshadowing and noise

→ GUIDANCE: Refer to relevant Local Planning Policies and any local planning provisions for

preferred and mandatory minimum setbacks.

1.2 Establish setbacks to adjacent

buildings and uses to ensure

adequate amenity.

→ GUIDANCE: Take account of

existing buildings and uses on

adjoining sites and their potential

for future development when

establishing building setbacks.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

STREET

POTENTIAL

FUTURE

DEVELOPMENT

POTENTIAL

FUTURE

DEVELOPMENT

EXISTING

BUILDING

EXISTING

BUILDING

Plan diagram. Adjoining sites and the preferred future development

potential help to inform appropriate building setbacks.

1.3 Establish the street frontage setback alignment of buildings to contribute to the

character and amenity of the public realm

→ GUIDANCE: Refer to relevant Local Planning Policies and any local planning provisions for

preferred and mandatory street frontage setback requirements.

→ GUIDANCE: Refer to the Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria or relevant local design guidelines

when determining appropriate front setbacks.

14 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

1.4

Establish internal setbacks

to achieve daylight, privacy and

outlook objectives between

dwellings within a site.

→

GUIDANCE: Internal setbacks can

be determined using a similar

method as setbacks from site

boundaries.

STREET

Plan diagram. Setbacks between dwellings achieve amenity objective.

1.5 In streets where buildings have

zero side setback, such as in

dense urban contexts, main

streets or for podium forms within

centres, continue the built form

pattern.

→ GUIDANCE: The extent of walls on

boundaries may be informed by

the relevant planning provisions,

the pattern of building types within

the context and amenity impact on

adjoining properties.

Plan diagram. Side setbacks at lower levels may not be required in some

urban contexts.

Plan diagram. Side and rear setbacks at lower levels may not be required

in some urban contexts.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 15

1.6 Provide side setbacks in contexts

where they contribute to the

landscape character of the street.

→ GUIDANCE: Gaps between

buildings allow views through to

vegetation along the side and to

the rear of buildings.

STREET

Plan diagram. Setbacks contribute to a landscape character.

1.7 Typically, on narrow inll sites,

minimise side setbacks and face

habitable rooms towards the

street and the rear of the site.

→ GUIDANCE: Avoiding outlook

towards the side of narrow sites,

optimises amenity and privacy

between buildings.

NORTH

LANE

STREET

ADJACENT

BUILDINGS

ADJACENT

BUILDINGS

Plan diagram. Direct habitable rooms on narrow sites to optimise

internal amenity.

STREET

16 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

1.8 Where habitable spaces and

balconies face towards side

boundaries, increase side

setbacks to allow access to

daylight and outlook, while

maintaining privacy.

NORTH

STREET

APARTMENTS

FACING SIDE

BOUNDARY

Plan diagram. Dwelling aspect informs side setback requirements.

1.9 Where contexts allow for buildings

in landscaped areas, congure

the building setbacks to retain

existing mature trees and to

accommodate deep soil areas.

→ GUIDANCE: Appropriate building

setbacks will assist in meeting the

landscaping standard.

STREET

EXISTING

TREE

Plan diagram. Setbacks can accommodate deep soil areas and

existing landscaping.

1.10 Ensure building setback is

responsive to the adjoining

building form and height to deliver

adequate daylight, privacy and

outlook for dwellings.

→ GUIDANCE: Where the height of

a building increases, setbacks

should typically increase to achieve

adequate amenity and good built

form outcomes.

Section diagram. Setbacks typically increase with building height.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 17

1.11 Avoid use of lightwells as the primary source of daylight to a habitable room.

→ GUIDANCE: Lightwells should only be considered as a secondary source of daylight to living

rooms.

1.12 Use building setbacks and the relationship between buildings on a site, as the primary

method of limiting views into habitable room windows and private open spaces.

→ GUIDANCE: Adjust building form, façade shape and window locations to further limit views

into habitable room windows and private open spaces while protecting access to daylight and

outlook.

Plan diagram. Building form and facade shape can assist to limit direct views.

18 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

1.12

cont.

→ GUIDANCE: In addition to building setbacks, design techniques for privacy include:

• Creating oblique and controlled views such as bay windows.

• Limiting lengths of facades that direct views towards the adjoining habitable rooms and

private open spaces by shaping, staggering or realigning facades.

• Using sill and balustrade heights and depths to limit direct views downwards.

• Using pergola and shading devices to screen views to dwellings and private open spaces on

lower levels.

STAGGERED FACADES REDIRECTED VIEWS

OBLIQUE VIEWS

→ GUIDANCE: These techniques limit views without compromising access to daylight, natural

ventilation and outlook.

Plan diagram. Shaping, staggering and realigning facades can assist in limiting direct views.

OBLIQUE VIEWS OBLIQUE VIEWS STAGGERED FACADES REDIRECTED VIEWS

PROJECTING PRIVACY

SHELF TO BALUSTRADE

DIRECT

DOWNWARDS VIEWS

BALUSTRADES

INCORPORATING PLANTERS

RAISED WINDOW SILLSFACADE OVERHANGS PROJECTING WINDOW SILLS

60º

Section diagram. Design techniques to assist in limiting direct downward views.

FACADE OVERHANGS RAISED WINDOW SILLS PROJECTING WINDOW SILLS

PROJECTING PRIVACY

SHELF TO BALUSTRADE

DIRECT

DOWNWARDS VIEWS

BALUSTRADES

INCORPORATING PLANTERS

RAISED WINDOW SILLSFACADE OVERHANGS PROJECTING WINDOW SILLS

60º

PROJECTING PRIVACY BALUSTRADES

SHELF TO BALUSTRADE INCORPORATING PLANTERS

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 19

1.13 When habitable room windows

and private open spaces in

separate dwellings directly face

each other, generally provide

greater building separations than

where one dwelling faces the side

of another dwelling.

HABITABLE ROOMS FACING

EACH OTHER

ONE DWELLING FACING THE

SIDE OF ANOTHER DWELLING

Plan diagram. Dwelling aspect informs setbacks.

HABITABLE ROOMS FACING ONE DWELLING FACING THE

EACH OTHER SIDE OF ANOTHER DWELLING

1.14 Arrange building setbacks to control direct views into habitable room windows or private

open spaces from public and communal spaces, other uses or dwellings.

→ GUIDANCE: Avoid the need for screens or opaque glass that restrict views into public spaces

1.15 Use building setbacks to provide outlook

and a visual connection from a dwelling to

its context and allowing for visual relief.

→ GUIDANCE: Greater building separation is

required to achieve adequate outlook where

there is not a strong connection to the street

or ground such as between apartment

towers.

OUTLOOK

Section diagram. Quality of outlook informs building setback.

Supporting documentation

Nominate all minimum building setbacks.

20 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to communal open space

Why this is important

Communal open space

supports the health and

wellbeing of occupants

and provides for a range

of informal and active

recreational uses. Communal

open space helps establish

a sense of community in

apartment developments and

improves safety and security.

Application

Clause 55.07-2 (Communal

open space) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.03-2 (Communal

open space) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Communal open space

objective (Clause 58.03-2

or Clause 55.07-2)

To ensure that communal

open space is accessible,

practical, attractive, easily

maintained and integrated

with the layout of the

development.

Standard (D7 or B36)

Developments with 40 or more

dwellings should provide a

minimum area of communal

open space of 2.5 square

metres per dwelling or 250

square metres, whichever is

lesser.

Communal open space

should:

• Be located to:

− Provide passive

surveillance

opportunities, where

appropriate.

− Provide outlook for

as many dwellings as

practicable.

− Avoid overlooking into

habitable rooms and

private open space of

new dwellings.

− Minimise noise impacts

to new and existing

dwellings.

• Be designed to protect any

natural features on the site.

• Maximise landscaping

opportunities.

• Be accessible, useable

and capable of efcient

management.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• Any relevant urban

design objective, policy or

statement set out in this

scheme.

• The design response.

• The useability and amenity

of the communal open

space based on its size,

location, accessibility and

reasonable recreation

needs of residents.

• The availability of and

access to public open

space.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 21

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

When providing communal open space outdoors, landscaping can be included within the minimum

area calculation for communal outdoor space where it supports usability and functionality of the

space.

Internal common spaces, entry-ways and narrow service and access routes are not included in the

measurement of communal open space.

The minimum area requirements for communal open space can be congured in multiple spaces

that each have usable minimum dimensions.

2.1 Use the urban context report to identify locations for the communal open space which

can achieve adequate amenity and is responsive to existing uses of adjacent sites.

2.2 Provide communal open space that

is usable throughout the year and

in a range of weather conditions.

→ GUIDANCE: Design techniques

include:

• Pergolas and shading devices

• Location of deciduous and

evergreen vegetation

• Wind screening via hard and soft

landscaping

SUMMER SUN

WINTER SUN

Section diagram. Example of design techniques for

usable communal open space.

2.3 Provide lighting in communal open

space to support safe movement

and evening use.

→ GUIDANCE: Avoid light spill to

adjacent sensitive areas such as

dwelling and private open spaces.

Section diagram. Lighting for safe communal open spaces.

22 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

2.5 Layout the communal open spaces to be usable

with easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

→ GUIDANCE: Responsibility for ongoing

maintenance of communal open spaces should

be clearly established.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide convenient access to

landscaping for maintenance.

Plan diagram. Planned maintenance access.

2.6 Integrate communal open space with internal

common areas, where provided, to promote

better use of both spaces.

INTERNAL EXTERNAL

Plan diagram. Internal common area integrated with

communal open space.

2.4 Provide clear delineation of public, communal

and private open spaces to encourage access

and use by all residents.

→ GUIDANCE: When locating dwellings and private

open spaces directly adjacent to communal open

space, care should be taken that privacy and

amenity is maintained to these dwellings and that

a sense of private ownership of the communal

area is not established.

ROOF TOP COMMUNAL

OPEN SPACE

PRIVATE OPEN

SPACE

Plan diagram. Separation of private open space from

communal open space.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 23

2.7 Integrate landscaping into communal

open space to improve the outlook into

and from the communal open space.

→ GUIDANCE: Landscaping can assist in

screening outlook from communal open

space towards poor interfaces on adjoining

sites.

Section diagram. Landscaping improves outlook.

2.8 Layout the communal open space to minimise the visual and noise impacts of building

services.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide screening of service areas that are in proximity to communal open spaces.

2.9 Layout communal open space to create

informal surveillance opportunities within

the development and from adjoining

buildings.

→ GUIDANCE: Outlook onto communal open

space from dwellings should maintain the

privacy and security of residents.

Section diagram. Informal surveillance from dwellings to

communal open space.

Supporting documentation

Provide dimensions and areas of communal open space.

Provide a detailed landscape plan with the application which depicts the intended use and

facilities within the communal open space.

24 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to solar access to communal outdoor open space

Why this is important

Providing good solar access

to communal open space

ensures these spaces are

desirable and usable for

residents. Well-designed

communal outdoor open

spaces are used more

frequently and support a

sense of community.

Application

Clause 55.07-3 (Solar access

to communal open space)

applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.03-3 (Solar access

to communal outdoor open

space) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Solar access to

communal outdoor open

space objective (Clause

58.03-3 or Clause 55.07-3)

To allow solar access into

communal outdoor open

space.

Standard (D8 or B37)

The communal outdoor open

space should be located on

the north side of a building, if

appropriate.

At least 50 per cent or 125

square metres, whichever

is the lesser, of the primary

communal outdoor open

space should receive a

minimum of two hours of

sunlight between 9am and

3pm on 21 June.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The useability and amenity

of the primary communal

outdoor open space

areas based on the urban

context, the orientation of

the building, the layout of

dwellings and the sunlight it

will receive.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 25

Design guidance

Intepreting the Standard

The minimum of two hours of sunlight does not need to be a continuous two-hour duration.

Where the communal open space is provided in multiple locations, then the solar access

requirement applies to the primary space.

Where the proposal includes more than one area for communal open space, the primary

communal open space should be a minimum of 50 percent of the total consolidated area.

3.1 Locate communal open space

in areas that will have minimal

overshadowing from surrounding

buildings.

3.2 When locating communal open

space to achieve winter sun, also

select the location to provide

usability and amenity.

→ GUIDANCE: Rooftop communal

open spaces provide opportunity

for good solar access, however,

they require careful design to

prevent undesirable exposure to

wind, rain and heat during summer.

WINTER SUN

Section diagram. Locate communal open space to have

minimal overshadowing

Section diagram. Locate communal open space to have

minimal overshadowing

Supporting documentation

Provide shadow diagrams for the communal open space for June 21 to demonstrate existing solar

access, and any future overshadowing potential.

26 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to landscaping

Why this is important

Good landscaping creates

attractive and safe

environments for people

and makes apartment

developments more energy

and water-efcient. Deep

soil areas support canopy

trees which improve

residential amenity, make

neighbourhoods greener and

reduce the heat island effect

in urban areas.

Application

Both Clause 55.03-8

(Landscaping) and Clause

55.07-4 (Deep soil areas

and canopy trees) apply to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.03-5 (Landscaping)

applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Note: For simplicity, only the

Objective and Standard

relating to Clause 58.03-5 is

shown below.

Landscaping objectives

(Clause 58.03-5)

To encourage development

that respects the landscape

character of the area.

To encourage development

that maintains and enhances

habitat for plants and

animals in locations of habitat

importance.

To provide appropriate

landscaping.

To encourage the retention of

mature vegetation on the site.

To promote climate responsive

landscape design and water

management in developments

that support thermal comfort

and reduces the urban heat

island effect.

Standard (D10)

The landscape layout and

design should:

• Be responsive to the site

context.

• Protect any predominant

landscape features of the

area.

• Take into account the soil

type and drainage patterns

of the site and integrate

planting and water

management.

• Allow for intended

vegetation growth and

structural protection of

buildings.

• In locations of habitat

importance, maintain

existing habitat and provide

for new habitat for plants

and animals.

• Provide a safe, attractive

and functional environment

for residents.

• Consider landscaping

opportunities to reduce

heat absorption such as

green walls, green roofs

and roof top gardens and

improve on-site storm water

inltration.

• Maximise deep soil areas for

planting of canopy trees.

Development should provide

for the retention or planting of

trees, where these are part of

the urban context.

Development should provide

for the replacement of

any signicant trees that

have been removed in

the 12 months prior to the

application being made.

The landscape design should

specify landscape themes,

vegetation (location and

species), paving and lighting.

Development should provide

the deep soil areas and

canopy trees specied in

Table D2 .

If the development cannot

provide the deep soil areas

and canopy trees specied

in Table D2, an equivalent

canopy cover should be

achieved by providing either:

• Canopy trees or climbers

(over a pergola) with planter

pits sized appropriately for

the mature tree soil volume

requirements.

• Vegetated planters, green

roofs or green facades.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 27

Table D2 Deep soil areas and canopy trees

Site area Deep soil areas Minimum tree provision

750 – 1000 square metres 5% of site area (minimum dimension

of 3 metres)

1 small tree (6-8 metres) per 30

square metres of deep soil

1001 – 1500 square metres 7.5% of site area (minimum dimension

of 3 metres)

1 medium tree (8-12 metres) per 50

square metres of deep soil, or 1 large

tree per 90 square metres of deep soil

1501 - 2500 square metres 10% of site area (minimum dimension

of 6 metres)

1 large tree (at least 12 metres) per

90 square metres of deep soil, or 2

medium trees per 90 square metres

of deep soil

>2500 square metres 15% of site area (minimum dimension

of 6 metres)

1 large tree (at least 12 metres) per

90 square metres of deep soil, or 2

medium trees per 90 square metres

of deep soil

Note: Where an existing canopy tree over 8 metres can be retained on a lot greater than 1000 square metres

without damage during the construction period, the minimum deep soil requirement is 7% of the site area.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• Any relevant plan or policy

for landscape character

and environmental

sustainability in the State

Planning Policy Framework

and Local Planning Policy

Framework, including

the Municipal Strategic

Statement and local

planning policies.

• The design response.

• The location and size

of gardens and the

predominant plant types in

the area.

• The health of any trees to

be removed.

• The suitability of the

proposed location and soil

volume for canopy trees.

• The ongoing management

of landscaping within the

development.

• The soil type and drainage

patterns of the site.

28 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Minimum tree provision

PER 30 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

750 - 1000

PER 90 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

PER 50 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

1001 - 1500

SMALL TREE

6-8 METRES

HIGH

MEDIUM TREE

8-12 METRES

HIGH

LARGE TREE

OVER 12 METRES

HIGH

PER 90 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

PER 90 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

1501 - 2500

PER 90 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

PER 90 SQUARE METRES

DEEP SOIL AREA

> 2500

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 29

Minimum deep soil areas

Deep soil locations

DEEP

SOIL

AREA

DEEP SOIL

AREA

>2500 SQUARE METRES SITE AREA 15% MINIMUM

1501- 2500 SQUARE METRES SITE AREA 10% MINIMUM

1001-1500 SQUARE METRES SITE AREA 7.5% MINIMUM

750 -1000 SQUARE METRES SITE AREA 5% MINIMUM

3m 3m 6m 6m

METRES MINIMUM DIMENSION

DEEP SOIL AREA 7% OF SITE AREA

(IF EXISTING TREE OVER 8 METRES RETAINED)

30 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

Where the number of trees to be provided according to the standard is not a whole number, the

fraction should be provided with small or medium trees rounded to the nearest whole number.

Equivalent canopy cover is assessed on the basis of achieving the same percentage site coverage

of vegetated cover. It can comprise a green wall, vegetated pergola or green roof, and the

equivalent canopy cover of trees and shrubs in planter boxes.

4.1 Retain signicant vegetation where appropriate.

→ GUIDANCE: Involve a landscape architect or horticulturalist early in the design to improve

integration of the landscaping into the existing landscape context and the development.

→ GUIDANCE: Where existing trees are proposed for retention, obtain advice from an arborist to

assess tree retention value, tree health, and required tree protection zones during construction.

4.2 Select and locate evergreen and deciduous trees to optimise winter sunlight and summer

shading of surrounding dwellings to encourage passive cooling opportunities.

→ GUIDANCE: Deciduous trees are best for providing shade to north facing windows to prevent

summer heat gain, with loss of leaves allowing winter sun to reach glazing. Evergreen trees are

better used for shading east and west facing windows to provide consistent shade year round.

→ GUIDANCE: Canopy trees are particularly effective in shading lower sun angles on exposed east

and west facades.

→ GUIDANCE: In context with tall buildings avoid planting in areas of sustained shade.

→ GUIDANCE: Local councils may have planting lists that assist in selecting appropriate species for

local conditions and habitat.

WINTER SUN

SUMMER SUN

Section diagram. Deciduous trees can allow sun in winter and provide shade in summer.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 31

4.3 Locate and size appropriate canopy

trees and other vegetation away from

basements or other obstructions to

allow for future growth to protect built

structures.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide space and soil for the

canopy and spread of roots at maturity.

The Cornell formula is an established

method used for determining soil volume

requirements of mature trees and shrubs.

The responsible authority, landscape

architect or horticulturalist may prefer an

alternative method.

PROPOSED BUILDING FOOTPRINT

TREE PROTECTION ZONE

Plan diagram. Tree protection zone.

TREE AT MATURITY

TREE AT PLANTING

Plan diagram. Space for tree size at maturity.

4.4 Consolidate deep soil areas where possible, to support healthier trees and provide

adequate growing room for larger trees between buildings.

→ GUIDANCE: Locate deep soil areas where the microclimate will support favourable growing

conditions with appropriate sunlight and wind protection.

DEEP SOILDEEP SOIL

Section diagram. Deep soil location.

32 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

4.6 Where the deep soil standard cannot be

met due to the urban context, alternative

forms of landscaping should demonstrate

equivalent canopy cover.

→ GUIDANCE: Planting over structures

and green facades and roofs can assist

to integrate landscape into small or

constrained sites.

→ GUIDANCE: Planters with adequate soil

depth, soil quality, drainage and irrigation

can support signicant tree planting and

climbing planting over structures to provide

shade and vertical greenery.

Plan diagram. Alternative forms of landscaping

without deep soil.

DRAINAGE

IRRIGATION

Plan diagram. Planter with soil depth, irrigation

and drainage.

4.5 Optimise urban heat reduction through integrating planting, stormwater management,

water sensitive urban design and selection of surface materials.

→ GUIDANCE: Use trees and other plantings to provide shade for otherwise heat exposed locations.

Selecting a diversity of tree species can assist in moderating temperatures day and night, by

providing variation to the canopy cover. Canopies should provide adequate shade and allow

sufcient air movement.

→ GUIDANCE: Where trees are not possible, use pergolas with deciduous climbers and/or articial

shade structures.

→ GUIDANCE: Rain gardens, grassed areas, green walls, green roofs, permeable pavements and

water features contribute to cooling the microclimate.

→ GUIDANCE: To reduce heat build-up and protect thermal comfort, use of lighter coloured

materials and permeable surfaces will also reduce heat storage. Avoid dark coloured pavers

and landscaping materials (e.g for forecourts and paths) as they absorb, trap and re-radiate

heat throughout a hot evening.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 33

Supporting information

• Provide a site plan which locates the type and size of trees on the site, including those trees that

have been removed within 12 months prior to the application.

• Provide a landscape plan which includes a summary table with the area of deep soil and number

and size of canopy trees at maturity, or where the minimum number of trees is not provided,

indicate how the alternative solution provides for equivalent canopy cover.

• An arborists’ report, where relevant, including information relating to removed trees (such as

aerial photography or survey).

• Where existing trees are proposed to be retained, a tree protection zone should be nominated

in an arborists report and shown on application plans, together with details of protection to be

undertaken during construction.

34 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to building entry and circulation

Why this is important

Apartment entries add to

the quality and character

of the street and pedestrian

experience. Well-designed

apartment entries and

circulation spaces create a

sense of identity, encourage

social interaction and support

safe and convenient access

for occupants and visitors to

apartment developments.

Application

Clause 55.07-8 (Building entry

and circulation) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.05-2 (Building entry

and circulation) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Building entry and

circulation objectives

(Clause 58.05-2 or Clause

55.07-8)

To provide each dwelling and

building with its own sense of

identity.

To ensure the internal layout

of buildings provide for the

safe, functional and efcient

movement of residents.

To ensure internal communal

areas provide adequate

access to daylight and natural

ventilation.

Standard (D18 or B42)

Entries to dwellings and

buildings should:

• Be visible and easily

identiable.

• Provide shelter, a sense of

personal address and a

transitional space around

the entry.

The layout and design of

buildings should:

• Clearly distinguish

entrances to residential and

non-residential areas.

• Provide windows to building

entrances and lift areas.

• Provide visible, safe and

attractive stairs from the

entry level to encourage use

by residents.

• Provide common areas and

corridors that:

− Include at least one

source of natural light

and natural ventilation.

− Avoid obstruction from

building services.

− Maintain clear sight lines.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The useability and amenity

of internal communal areas

based on daylight access

and the natural ventilation

it will receive.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 35

5.1 Locate the main pedestrian entry to provide a sense of address by being clearly visible

and accessible from the street.

→ GUIDANCE: Building entrances help visitors orient themselves. Entries and foyers should be

comfortable, sheltered, safe, convenient and visible during the day and night.

→ GUIDANCE: Emphasise residential entry lobbies with prominent design features, signage or

landscape treatments

→ GUIDANCE: Provide a sense of identity to individual dwellings with an internal entry that can be

easily recognised.

5.2 Provide clear sightlines from the foyer to the

street so people can see both in and out when

entering or leaving the building.

Clear sightlines to entry lobby.

5.3 Where ground oor dwellings face the street,

individual entrances can assist in promoting

a sense of personal address and activate the

street.

→ GUIDANCE: Elevating dwelling oors and balcony

spaces slightly above the street level provides

both a sense of privacy and better sightlines to

streets and public spaces.

→ GUIDANCE: Where ground level units are raised

above street level, achieve level access via the

main apartment entry door off the circulation

corridor.

Section diagram. Ground oor dwellings with

individual entries.

Section diagram. Elevated dwelling above the

street level.

36 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

5.4 Separate the pedestrian and vehicle entries to

the buildings.

→ GUIDANCE: Separating vehicle entries from

pedestrian entries enhances pedestrian safety.

→ GUIDANCE: Vehicle entries that are designed

to be less prominent or recessive improve the

streetscape.

CAR PARK

ENTRY

APARTMENT

ENTRY

APARTMENT

ENTRY

Plan diagram. Separate pedestrian and vehicle entry.

5.5 Provide shelter and waiting space on the street

at pedestrian entries to buildings.

→ GUIDANCE: Design sheltered areas outside the

secure entry areas in higher density residential

buildings with canopies or building overhangs.

SEAT

Plan diagram. Shelter and waiting space outside

a lobby.

5.6 Provide mail boxes and parcel post facilities

close to the building entries in a well-lit and

weather protected area, with potential for

informal surveillance.

MAIL BOXES

Plan diagram. A separate mailbox room with

glass doors.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 37

5.7 Locate and arrange utility service installations to minimise their impact on the building's

active street frontage.

5.8 Provide appropriate access between

street ground level and the entry lobby

oor level for safe, functional and efcient

movement.

→ GUIDANCE: Where possible, avoid steps and

long ramps up to the building foyer.

STREET

Section diagram. Convenient access to an entry lobby.

5.9 Design windows and openings in corridors to respond to the site context.

→ GUIDANCE: Design the type, placement and size of windows to respond to access to sunlight and

daylight, surrounding buildings, view opportunities and outlook, informal surveillance to public

and communal areas, natural and cross ventilation and any adjacent noise sources.

Supporting documentation

Nominate the source of natural light and ventilation into common areas and circulation on

application plans.

38 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Section 2 | BUILDING PERFORMANCE

Guidance to noise impacts

Why this is important

Reducing internal and

external noise impacts

is important to occupant

wellbeing and amenity.

Apartments located in urban

environments near industrial

areas, major roads and

railway lines are subject to

signicant noise impacts

requiring careful design

responses.

Application

Clause 55.07-6 (Noise

impacts) applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.04-3 (Noise

impacts) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Noise impacts objectives

(Clause 58.04-3 or Clause

55.07-6)

To contain noise sources in

developments that may affect

existing dwellings.

To protect residents from

external and internal noise

sources.

Standard (D16 and B40)

Noise sources, such as

mechanical plants should not

be located near bedrooms of

immediately adjacent existing

dwellings.

The layout of new dwellings

and buildings should minimise

noise transmission within the

site.

Noise sensitive rooms

(such as living areas and

bedrooms) should be located

to avoid noise impacts

from mechanical plants,

lifts, building services, non-

residential uses, car parking,

communal areas and other

dwellings.

New dwellings should be

designed and constructed to

include acoustic attenuation

measures to reduce noise

levels from off-site noise

sources.

Buildings within a noise

inuence area specied in

Table D3 and B6 should be

designed and constructed to

achieve the following noise

levels:

• Not greater than 35dB(A)

for bedrooms, assessed as

an LAeq,8h from 10pm to

6am.

• Not greater than 40dB(A)

for living areas, assessed

LAeq,16h from 6am to 10pm.

Buildings, or part of a building

screened from a noise source

by an existing solid structure,

or the natural topography

of the land, do not need to

meet the specied noise level

requirements.

Noise levels should be

assessed in unfurnished

rooms with a nished oor

and the windows closed.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 39

Table D3 and B6 Noise inuence area

Noise source Noise inuence area

Zone interface

Industry 300 metres from the Industrial 1, 2 and 3 zone boundary

Roads

Freeways, tollways and other

roads carrying 40,000 Annual

Average Daily Trafc Volume

300 metres from the nearest trafcable lane

Railways

Railway servicing passengers in

Victoria

80 metres from the centre of the nearest track

Railway servicing freight

outside Metropolitan Victoria

80 metres from the centre of the nearest track

Railway servicing freight in

Metropolitan Melbourne

135 metres from the centre of the nearest track

Note: The noise inuence area should be measured from the closest part of the building to the noise source.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• Whether it can be

demonstrated that

the design treatment

incorporated into the

development meets the

specied noise levels or

an acoustic report by a

suitably qualied consultant

submitted with the

application.

• Whether the impact of

potential noise sources

within a development have

been mitigated through

design, location and siting.

• Whether the layout of

rooms within a dwelling

mitigates noise transfer

within and between

dwellings.

• Whether an alternative

design meets the relevant

objectives having regard to

the amenity of the dwelling

and the site context.

40 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Internal noise sources

External noise sources

40dB (A)

MAXIMUM

35dB (A)

MAXIMUM

Up to 35 dB LAeq

8h (10pm-6am)

Up to 40 dB LAeq

16h (6am-10pm)

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 41

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

An apartment development located within

a noise inuence area specied in Table D3

and B6 of the Standard is required to meet

the specied noise levels by undertaking an

assessment of the impact of external noise

through either an acoustic report prepared by

a suitably qualied consultant or by applying

an appropriate design treatment. In some

instances, an acoustic report is not required if

standard design treatment for noise is used.

An acoustic report is a detailed acoustic

assessment incorporating external noise

exposure measurements or modelling of the

proposed building design to demonstrate

suitable design responses can achieve the

standard.

The acoustic report must be prepared by an

experienced, professional acoustic engineering

consultant who should either be a member of,

or have the qualications to become a member

of the Australian Acoustic Society (AAS)

or the Association of Australian Acoustical

Consultants (AAAC).

A standard design treatment for noise is a

prescribed building construction method based

on the known performance of the construction

materials used including documentation, plans

and product certication specifying the level

of sound attenuation performance of the

materials used for the relevant level of noise

exposure.

When a standard design treatment for noise

is applied the selection of materials must

be supported by evidence of the acoustic

performance of the material. A product

performance specication certicate from

a National Association of Testing Authorities

(NATA) accredited laboratory (or international

equivalent) is considered sufcient evidence.

Where a standard design treatment for noise

is not available a detailed acoustic assessment

will be required to demonstrate compliance

with the noise standard.

Further information about an acoustic report

or applying a standard design treatment for

noise to meet the standard is provided in

Planning Practice Note 83: Assessing external

noise impacts for apartments.

Which approach is applicable within a

Noise Inuence Area?

• Industry Noise Inuence Area- an acoustic

report is required to meet the standard.

There is no standard design treatment

available to meet the standard.

• Roads Noise Inuence Area - an acoustic

report or a standard design treatment for

noise can be used depending upon the

trafc volume, speed limit and distance of

road kerb.

• Railways Noise Inuence Area – an acoustic

report or a standard design treatment for

noise can be used to meet the standard

depending upon the type of railway line and

the distance from the railway line.

Note: Refer to Planning Practice Note

83: Assessing external noise impacts for

apartments to determine what standard

design treatments are acceptable within a

Railways or Roads Noise Inuence Area.

42 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

6.1 If the development is not within a Noise

Inuence Area

→ GUIDANCE: Use building siting, layout and

design of dwellings to reduce the impact of

external noise sources. Design techniques to

mitigate noise include:

• Locating windows of habitable rooms away

from noise sources or limiting the extent of

openings facing the noise source.

• Physically separating residential uses from

a noise source by additional setbacks or

the use of a podium.

• Providing acoustic glazing, or enclosed

balconies (winter gardens).

• Solid balustrades incorporated into

balconies to act as a shield to the noise

source below.

• Providing acoustic seals to openings.

• Using materials with mass and/or sound

absorption properties.

Section diagram. Podiums and barriers oriented and sized

to screen noise.

Section diagram. Wintergardens may screen noise.

6.2 If the development is within a Noise

Inuence Area

→ GUIDANCE: Measure distances from the

designated noise source specied in Table

D3 or B6 to the nearest point of the building’s

external facade. Oblique line-of-sight

exposure applies even if exposure is obscured

directly in front of the dwelling.

→ GUIDANCE: Identify portions of the external

facade that are exposed to the designated

noise source. Portions of the external facade

obscured by a solid, permanent structure such

as a noise barrier, an earth mound, an existing

building or the natural topography of the land

may not need to be assessed.

→ GUIDANCE: While low rise buildings

may benet from shielding provided by

topography, barriers or other buildings, high

rise buildings usually receive less shielding

and noise mitigation needs to be considered

at the outset in the layout and building design.

→ GUIDANCE: Demonstrate the adequacy of

any ‘line of sight’ shielding from a new or pre-

existing noise barrier wall. Refer to Planning

Practice Note 83: Assessing external noise

impacts for apartments for further technical

guidance on this matter.

NOISE SOURCE

EXISTING BUILDING

NOISE ATTENUATION

REQUIRED

DISTANCE

FROM NOISE

INFLUENCE

AREA

[REFER TO

TABLE D3].

APARTMENT BUILDING

X METRES X METRES

X METRES: [REFER TO TABLE D3].

NOISE

BLOCKED

Plan diagram. Determining Noise Inuence Area.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 43

6.3 Ventilation

→ GUIDANCE: In particularly high noise locations a separate means of ventilation beyond operable

windows should be considered because occupants are likely to keep windows closed and so may

suffer from poor indoor air quality. Design responses can include locations ventilation openings

on a quieter facade, use of borrowed ventilation, attenuated air relief openings or mechanical

ventilation.

Mechanical ventilation can take many forms from wall mounted fan assisted acoustic units to

central ventilation systems, but attenuated relief openings should be appropriately rated to

achieve suitable sound insulation.

6.4 Meet the noise requirements through an acoustic report or a standard design treatment.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide an acoustic report prepared by a suitably qualied acoustic consultant to

demonstrate that the specied noise levels are achieved.

→ GUIDANCE: Where an acoustic report is provided, the report should ensure noise modelling of

the proposed building design demonstrates suitable design responses can be achieved.

• For road trafc noise, the assessment should include a minimum of three days during which

the noise measurements have not been adversely affected by meteorological conditions.

• For rail noise, the assessment should include a minimum of 20 train pass-by events over a 24-

hour peak day of the week period. For train lines carrying freight, the freight timetable should

be consulted to ensure measurements include peak events.

• For industrial areas, where noise can be highly inconsistent, the assessment should include

seven days of continuous 24 hour measurement.

• When preparing the report, noise attenuation should be applied for the whole room where the

living room or bedroom is partially within the noise inuence area. Bedrooms should include

all ensuites and walk-in robes that do not have a permanent door separating them from the

bedroom. Living areas should include all kitchen or study areas that are included within the

room in open plan designs.

→ GUIDANCE: Where a standard design treatment is applied the construction material should

be appropriate to the external noise exposure category. Refer to Planning Practice Note 83:

Assessing external noise impacts for apartments for guidance on the acoustic performance of

the construction material.

→ GUIDANCE: Where a standard design treatment is applied documentation to verify use of

appropriate construction materials is required.

Supporting information

• Provide an acoustic report from a suitably qualied acoustic consultant including validated

design and construction responses to demonstrate compliance (modelled for exposed

unfurnished units with a nished oor consistent with submitted design).

• Where a standard design treatment has been adopted, provide documentation to verify

appropriate materials and construction responses have been applied.

• Plans should show the distances from any designated noise sources in Table D3 and B6 Noise

inuence area, including details of any permanent structure that obscures (or partially obscures)

the proposed building, and natural ground levels where topography of the land attenuates noise

sources.

44 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to energy efciency

Why this is important

Apartments that are energy

efcient through passive

design provide good thermal

comfort and daylight access

and reduce energy costs.

With the ongoing effects of

climate change ensuring

the thermal performance of

apartments over summer

will become increasingly

important. Reducing energy

costs is important for housing

affordability and reducing

the effects of fossil fuel

consumption.

Application

Clause 55.07-1 (Energy

efciency) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.03-1 (Energy

efciency) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Energy efciency

objectives (Clause 58.03-1

or Clause 55.07-1)

To achieve and protect

energy efcient dwellings and

buildings.

To ensure the orientation

and layout of development

reduce fossil fuel energy use

and make appropriate use of

daylight and solar energy.

To ensure dwellings achieve

adequate thermal efciency.

Standard (D6 or B35)

Buildings should be:

• Oriented to make

appropriate use of solar

energy.

• Sited and designed to

ensure that the energy

efciency of existing

dwellings on adjoining lots is

not unreasonably reduced.

Living areas and private open

space should be located

on the north side of the

development, if practicable.

Developments should be

designed so that solar access

to north-facing windows is

optimised.

Dwellings located in a climate

zone identied in Table

D1 should not exceed the

maximum NatHERS annual

cooling load in the following

table.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The size, orientation and

layout of the site.

• The existing amount of

solar access to abutting

properties.

• The availability of solar

access to north-facing

windows on the site.

• The annual cooling load for

each dwelling.

Table D1 Cooling load

NatHERS climate zone NatHERS maximum cooling

load

MJ/M

per annum

Climate zone 21 Melbourne 30

Climate zone 22 East Sale 22

Climate zone 27 Mildura 69

Climate zone 60 Tullamarine 22

Climate zone 62 Moorabbin 21

Climate zone 63 Warrnambool 21

Climate zone 64 Cape Otway 19

Climate zone 66 Ballarat 23

Note: Refer to NatHERS zone map, Nationwide House Energy Rating

Scheme (Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy).

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 45

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

The cooling loads in Table D1 complement the energy efciency requirements in the National

Construction Code (NCC). Adoption of the cooling load cap for each apartment in a development

is in addition to NCC requirements which are based on a 6-star average across an apartment

development and 5-star minimum for an individual apartment.

Applying a cooling cap will improve the energy efciency and thermal comfort of the poorer

preforming apartments of an apartment building compared to compliance with the NCC standard

alone.

The different cooling loads reect the varied climatic contexts across Victoria. The relevant

NatHERS climate zone maps can be determined from: http://www.nathers.gov.au/sites/all/themes/

custom/nathers_2016/climate-map/index.html

Energy efciency in construction is complex and use of current best practice design and energy

assessment reporting tools are normally required to demonstrate that the objectives of this

Standard are met

The cooling load measure is built into the existing star rating tool (NatHERS) and compliance is

demonstrated with the standard NatHERS certicate.

7.1 Plan for energy efciency of buildings and involve a specialist ESD consultant early in the

design process to make energy efcient design integral to the building form and layout.

NORTH FACING

APARTMENTS

NORTH

STREET

Plan diagram: Example internal layouts with good solar access.

→ GUIDANCE: Congure internal apartment layouts to optimise solar access opportunities.

→ GUIDANCE: Passive design principles such as correct solar orientation should be considered

part of the urban context report and design response.

46 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

7.3 Reduce building cooling loads through design and construction responses.

→ GUIDANCE: Design techniques include:

• Reducing area of glazing for windows facing east or west will lower heat gains in summer

(and reduce the cooling load), as well as lower heat losses in winter. Window size reduction

will typically be the most cost effective straightforward means of reducing cooling loads.

• External sun shading and solar control devices should be integrated into the building design

where possible. Vertical shading is suited to east and west aspects and horizontal shading

to northern aspects. North facing sun shading should be designed to allow winter sun and

shade summer sun. Adjustable external shading of windows allows for occupant control. This

is effective in climates with highly variable weather.

• Maximising the use of effective natural ventilation. Cross ventilated apartments are also an

effective means of reducing cooling loads. Refer to the natural ventilation standard.

• Hard oor surfaces allow the thermal mass of the oor to better moderate the impact of

solar heat gain on the performance of the dwelling.

• Providing insulation on the outer side of building elements with high thermal mass materials

like brick or concrete ensures they do not heat up as much in hot weather

• Selecting glazing with low Solar Heat Gain Coefcient (SHGC) particularly on the west and

east where highest solar heat gain is experienced, will support thermal performance. Note,

low solar heat gain glazing includes tinted and/or Low E coated glass with a maximum solar

heat gain co-efcient of 0.4.

• Use of ceiling fans. Particularly in warmer climate zones these help the occupant at least

delay the onset of cooling on hot days or avoid cooling altogether on milder days.

Supporting documentation

Provide the standard outputs from existing NatHERS tools. The NatHERS certicate provides

verication of the cooling load performance.

→ GUIDANCE: Building orientation, and layout should balance addressing the street with achieving

optimum solar access.

7.2 Apply the cooling load caps for all apartments.

→ GUIDANCE: Note this measure targets the worst performing 15% of dwellings in apartment

buildings subject to excessive heat load over summer. The proportion of dwellings affected may

be higher in buildings where site constraints mean that the majority of windows face east and

west.

STREET

NORTH

STREET

NORTH

Plan diagram. Example orientation with good solar access.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 47

Guidance to waste and recycling

Why this is important

Good waste management

promotes recycling,

protects the environment

and addresses health and

safety risks. Apartment

developments with good

waste management facilities

minimise the impacts of waste

on the health and wellbeing of

occupants and the amenity of

the public realm.

Application

Clause 55.07-11 (Waste

and recycling) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.06-3 (Waste

and recycling) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Waste and recycling

objectives (Clause 58.06-

3 or Clause 55.07-11)

To ensure dwellings are

designed to encourage waste

recycling.

To ensure that waste and

recycling facilities are

accessible, adequate and

attractive.

To ensure that waste and

recycling facilities are

designed and managed

to minimise impacts on

residential amenity, health

and the public realm.

Standard (D23 or B45)

Developments should include

dedicated areas for:

• Waste and recycling

enclosures which are:

− Adequate in size, durable,

waterproof and blend in

with the development.

− Adequately ventilated.

− Located and designed

for convenient access

by residents and made

easily accessible to

people with limited

mobility.

• Adequate facilities for

bin washing. These areas

should be adequately

ventilated.

• Collection, separation

and storage of waste and

recyclables, including where

appropriate opportunities

for on-site management

of food waste through

composting or other waste

recovery as appropriate.

• Collection, storage and

reuse of garden waste,

including opportunities for

on-site treatment, where

appropriate, or off-site

removal for reprocessing.

• Adequate circulation to

allow waste and recycling

collection vehicles to enter

and leave the site without

reversing.

• Adequate internal storage

space within each dwelling

to enable the separation of

waste, recyclables and food

waste where appropriate.

Waste and recycling

management facilities should

be designed and managed

in accordance with a Waste

Management Plan approved

by the responsible authority

and:

• Be designed to meet the

best practice waste and

recycling management

guidelines for residential

development adopted by

Sustainability Victoria.

• Protect public health and

amenity of residents and

adjoining premises from

the impacts of odour, noise

and hazards associated

with waste collection vehicle

movements.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• Any relevant waste and

recycling objective, policy

or statement set out in this

scheme.

48 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

8.1 Prepare a Waste Management Plan (WMP) that details how different waste streams

(including hard waste) will be stored and collected in the development.

→ GUIDANCE: A waste management plan should be prepared by a suitably qualied waste

consultant. The typical contents of a WMP are outlined under the supporting documentation.

The responsible authority may have additional requirements.

→ GUIDANCE: The waste management plan should provide a clear method for storage, collection,

and disposal of household waste, recyclables, green waste and hard waste.

8.2 Provide bins suitably sized to accommodate all categories of waste. Provide a waste room

that is sufciently sized to accommodate all bins.

→ GUIDANCE: Refer to local council waste management guidelines to determine required waste

provision and information requirements.

→ GUIDANCE: Minimise the need for multiple collections over a week to reduce disruptive noise by

providing adequate waste storage for weekly collection.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide adequate space to manoeuvre and access the bins to encourage tidy use

and ease collection.

→ GUIDANCE: On oors where there are apartments that comply with the accessibility standards,

common storage areas for waste and recyclables should be accessible for residents with limited

mobility.

→ GUIDANCE: Where residents must access the basement or common storage areas to dispose of

waste or recyclables, ensure that these areas are accessible for residents with limited mobility.

8.3 Nominate waste collection vehicle size, access points and movement paths.

→ GUIDANCE: Design access to waste storage areas to minimise the movement of waste collection

vehicles to reduce trafc disruption and increase safety. Limiting reversing of trucks limits noise

associated with reversing alarms.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide adequate clearance above collection points taking into account the height

of collection vehicles while lifting bins.

→ GUIDANCE: Use swept path analysis to determine if a design will meet the manoeuvring

requirements of the collection vehicle. It will also inform design responses to limit reversing of

trucks and associated noise from reversing alarms.

WASTE

RECYCLE

STREET

VEHICLE ACCESS

CONVENIENT

COLLECTION

Waste and recycling management.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 49

Supporting documentation

Locate and dimension waste storage facilities on plans.

8.4 Provide dual waste and

recycling chutes (or equivalent

system) in taller buildings

with openings on each oor to

provide convenient access for

residents.

→ GUIDANCE: Waste chutes should

be accessible from each level and

located in a convenient, centrally

located position, e.g. adjacent to

the lift shaft.

MINIMUM

1450mm

MINIMUM

1450mm

MINIMUM

850mm

AIR

LOCK

SLOW

RELEASE DOOR

Section diagram. Airlock design for accessibility and amenity.

8.5 Design waste facilities to provide adequate drainage, noise and odour controls including

provisions for a bin wash down area.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide adequate ventilation to the bin room to prevent the build-up of odours.

Providing a bin wash down area to allow bins to be cleaned will prevent the generation of odours.

→ GUIDANCE: Ensure bin room drainage does not lead to stormwater pollution.

→ GUIDANCE: Locate the waste chutes, bin rooms and waste collection points to minimise noise

impacts for residents and uses adjacent to the site. Use acoustic insulation to reduce noise

impacts where waste chutes are provided.

50 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Typical Checklist for a Waste Management Plan

When preparing a Waste Management Plan (WMP) complete and include the following checklist

with the WMP.

Plan Element Completed

Project details:

• Site address

• Development/ land use type

• Number of storeys

• Number of dwellings

− 1 Bedroom

− 2 Bedroom

− 3 or more bedrooms

• Floor area of any additional space

types, e.g. communal facilities or

commercial spaces.

Estimated Waste Generation:

• Waste generation rates of each

waste type.

• Waste generation for each space

type

• Total waste generation rates for

the development

Bin Requirements:

• Volume and dimensions (relative to

demand and aim to

reduce collection frequency)

• Number

• Type and colour

Plan Element Completed

Waste Storage:

• Size and location of waste

room, and facilities at each oor

level

• Bin chutes (Design e.g. dual chute)

• Odour, pest, noise, and pollution

management

• Description of how hard waste will

be managed

• Green waste management (and

Food waste) (where applicable)

• Description of any waste and

recycling equipment used, e.g.

compactors, carousels.

Bin Collection:

• Access points

• Collection frequency and timing

• Council/Private collection

• Trafc and noise management

(inc swept path analysis)

Additional requirements:

• Details on how waste

management information will be

distributed to residents

• Signage

• Scaled waste management

drawings

• Accessibility to waste rooms and

receptacles for residents with

limited mobility

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 51

Guidance to integrated water and stormwater management

Why this is important

The water management

standard aligns with

objectives of the Victorian

Government’s Water for

Victoria plan which supports

measures to make best use

of all water sources, reduce

pollution of waterways,

minimise the contribution of

stormwater runoff to localised

ooding and support cooling

and greening of urban

environment in the face of a

changing climate.

Application

Clause 55.07-5 (Integrated

water and stormwater

management) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.03-8 (Integrated

water and stormwater

management) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Integrated water

and stormwater

management objectives

(Clause 58.03-8 or Clause

55.07-5)

To encourage the use of

alternative water sources such

as rainwater, stormwater and

recycled water.

To facilitate stormwater

collection, utilisation and

inltration within the

development.

To encourage development

that reduces the impact of

stormwater run-off on the

drainage system and lters

sediment and waste from

stormwater prior to discharge

from the site.

Standard (D13 or B39)

Buildings should be designed

to collect rainwater for non-

drinking purposes such

as ushing toilets, laundry

appliances and garden use.

Buildings should be connected

to a non-potable dual pipe

reticulated water supply,

where available from the

water authority.

The stormwater management

system should be:

• Designed to meet the

current best practice

performance objectives

for stormwater quality as

contained in the Urban

Stormwater – Best Practice

Environmental Management

Guidelines (Victorian

Stormwater Committee

1999) as amended.

• Designed to maximise

inltration of stormwater,

water and drainage

of residual ows into

permeable surfaces, tree

pits and treatment areas.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• Any relevant water and

stormwater management

objective, policy or

statement set out in this

scheme.

• The design response.

• Whether the development

has utilised alternative

water sources and/

or incorporated water

sensitive urban design.

• Whether discharge from

the site to the stormwater

will adversely affect

water quality entering the

drainage system.

• The capacity of the

drainage network to

accommodate additional

stormwater.

• Whether the stormwater

treatment areas can be

effectively maintained.

52 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

Stormwater is water which drains off the site and buildings and is discharged into waterways. It

primarily consists of runoff rainwater and may contain particles, organic matter, litter, chemicals

etc. that without treatment can pollute downstream waterways. Other water discharges from

cooling units or basement pumps also need to be managed appropriately.

9.1 Reduce stormwater runoff from the lot to the minimum volume possible.

→ GUIDANCE: Capture and use rainwater and stormwater to the maximum extent practicable (i.e.

by maximising onsite retention) for non-potable uses including toilet ushing, clothes washing,

garden watering and green roofs (where practical). Onsite detention of stormwater may also be

integrated with rainwater collection to protect against localised ooding.

→ GUIDANCE: Demand from one to two oors may be sufcient to utilise all collectable rainwater.

Designing a tank system for prompt drawdown through increased internal use can assist with

both improved pollutant reduction and minimising initial discharges during rainfall events (to

reduce risk of localised ooding).

→ GUIDANCE: Runoff from impervious services can be caught and ltered via suitable landscape

design and treatment areas to clean and reduce discharges into waterways.

FLUSHING

IRRIGATION

COLLECTION

ABSORPTION

OVERFLOW TO STORM WATER STORAGEDETENTION

Section diagram. Integrated rainwater reuse and onsite detention.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 53

9.3 The storm water drainage system should be designed so that any overow during heavy

rain periods is safely conveyed to the legal point of discharge (LPD) to protect public

safety and property.

9.4 Connect the apartment building to a reticulated recycled water supply (purple pipe)

where available.

→ GUIDANCE: This can operate in conjunction with retention and use of rainwater as part of an

integrated approach.

Supporting documentation

Clear demonstration of how the design response meets the standards as a part of a sustainability

management plan.

Outputs from software models used (such as MUSIC or the STORM calculator) to ensure good

practice water and stormwater management. Suitable design tools for smaller developments

include the STORM Calculator and for larger more complex sites modelling using MUSIC is

appropriate.

9.2 Apply principles of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) to reduce the volume of

stormwater runoff and to improve the quality of stormwater.

→ GUIDANCE: Porous paving and rain gardens are practical measures suitable for most

developments including constrained sites. Peak ow diversions to deal with storm events are

necessary.

→ GUIDANCE: Porous paving requires a basic maintenance regime (e.g., sweeping, vacuuming

or high-pressure machine washing) to maintain effectiveness and should be designed to

accommodate intended loading.

→ GUIDANCE: Measures to buffer and slow the rate of discharge should be applied wherever

possible. Design techniques include pavements with surface tapering towards tree plantings or

use of swales and inltration strips.

→ GUIDANCE: Residual ows should be inltrated into deep soil areas (See Landscape section) and

ltered through garden areas and sediment traps.

DEEP SOIL

ABSORPTION INFILTRATION

RAIN

GARDEN

STORM

WATER

OVER FLOW

TO LPD

[LEGAL POINT

OF DISCHARGE]

PERMEABLE PAVING

REDUCED RUN OFF

Section diagram. Permeable paving, rain gardens and deep soil reduce the volume and treat stormwater.

54 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Section 3 | DWELLING AMENITY

Guidance to functional layout

Why this is important

Functional apartments have

layouts which meet the needs

of residents with room sizes

and congurations which are

appropriate for their intended

use. Adaptable layouts

provide for future household

changes providing longevity

of housing stock. The long-

term needs of a community

require a range of housing

types so people of different

ages, backgrounds and needs

are provided for.

Application

Clause 55.07-12 (Functional

layout) applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.07-1 (Functional

layout) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Functional layout

objective (Clause 58.07-1

or Clause 55.07-12)

To ensure dwellings provide

functional areas that meet the

needs of residents.

Standard (D24 or B46)

Bedrooms should:

• Meet the minimum internal

room dimensions specied

in Table D7.

• Provide an area in addition

to the minimum internal

room dimensions to

accommodate a wardrobe.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The useability, functionality

and amenity of habitable

rooms.

Table D7 Bedroom dimensions

Bedroom type Minimum width Minimum depth

Main bedroom 3 metres 3.4 metres

All other bedrooms 3 metres 3 metres

Living areas (excluding dining and kitchen areas) should meet

the minimum internal room dimensions specied in Table D8.

Table D8 Living area dimensions

Dwelling type Minimum width Minimum area

Studio and 1 bedroom

dwelling

3.3 metres 10 sqm

2 or more bedroom dwelling 3.6 metres 12 sqm

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 55

2 BEDROOM DWELLING

MINIMUM

WIDTH

3.6 METRES

MINIMUM

AREA

SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM

3.4 METRES

3 METRES

MINIMUM

3 METRES

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

There is no restriction on how the width and depth dimensions are applied to a bedroom layout.

10.1 Demonstrate usability and functionality of

room congurations by including furniture

layouts with realistically scaled furniture and

adequate circulation space.

→ GUIDANCE: Arrange rooms with efcient

circulation and appropriate privacy between

spaces.

→ GUIDANCE: Provide kitchen layouts with sufcient

space for cooking, cleaning, food preparation and

storage. Where dining is included within a kitchen,

adequate bench space should be provided.

Plan diagram. Furnished layouts demonstrate the

function of the rooms.

56 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

10.2 Apartment layouts which propose irregularly shaped or atypical spaces, need to

demonstrate functionality and usability of the design with realistically scaled furniture

and circulation.

→ GUIDANCE: Use standard bed sizes and allow for a functional circulation path.

→ GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that areas for dining provide for functional seating arrangements

appropriate to the apartment size and number of bedrooms.

Supporting documentation

Provide dimensioned plans showing minimum depth, width and area outline of bedrooms and the

living room.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 57

Guidance to room depth

Why this is important

Room depth and height

determine the amount and

quality of daylight penetration

from a window.

Adequate daylight is

important for occupant health

and energy efciency.

Application

Clause 55.07-13 (Room

depth) applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.07-2 (Room

depth) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Room depth objective

(Clause 58.07-2 or Clause

55.07-13)

To allow adequate daylight

into single aspect habitable

rooms.

Standard (D25 or B47)

Single aspect habitable rooms

should not exceed a room

depth of 2.5 times the ceiling

height.

The depth of a single aspect,

open plan, habitable room

may be increased to 9

metres if all the following

requirements are met:

• The room combines the

living area, dining area and

kitchen.

• The kitchen is located

furthest from the window.

• The ceiling height is at

least 2.7 metres measured

from nished oor level to

nished ceiling level. This

excludes where services are

provided above the kitchen.

The room depth should be

measured from the external

surface of the habitable room

window to the rear wall of the

room.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The extent to which the

habitable room is provided

with reasonable daylight

access through the

number, size, location and

orientation of windows.

• The useability, functionality

and amenity of the dwelling

based on layout, siting, size

and orientation of habitable

rooms.

• Any overhang above

habitable room windows

that limits daylight access.

HABITABLE ROOM

2.5:1 MAXIMUM RATIO

CEILING HEIGHT = 1

MAXIMUM HABITABLE ROOM DEPTH = 2.5

SINGLE ASPECT DWELLING

OPEN PLAN LAYOUT

HABITABLE ROOM

9 METRES MAXIMUM

KITCHEN

CEILING HEIGHT = MINIMUM 2.7 METRES

58 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

11.1 Increase the size and head height of windows to improve the daylight penetration into the

depth of the room.

11.2 Allow for sufcient structural oor

to oor heights to achieve required

ceiling heights for the room depth.

→ GUIDANCE: Allow space for services

and insulation between the ceiling

and structure.

Section diagram. Ceiling space for services and insulation.

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

Depth is measured at the deepest point of the room where a room has an irregular shape.

The depth of cupboards should be included within the room depth dimension.

Refer to the National Construction Code for minimum ceiling heights for habitable rooms.

Where a habitable room is an open plan layout (combined living area, dining area and kitchen)

with a ceiling height of 2.7m, the room depth can be extended to 9m as described in the standard

above.

Where habitable rooms have a ceiling height of 2.4m the maximum room depth is 6m (2.5 x 2.4m).

Where habitable rooms have a ceiling height of 2.7m the maximum room depth is 6.75m (2.5 x 2.7m).

DAYLIGHT INCREASED DAYLIGHT

PENETRATION PENETRATION

DAYLIGHT

PENETRATION

INCREASED DAYLIGHT

PENETRATION

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 59

11.3 Congure balconies to suit the orientation of

the apartment and increase daylight while

controlling sunlight.

→ GUIDANCE: Large continuous overhangs beyond

a single aspect room of 9m depth should be

avoided

Refer to private open space for guidance on

balcony congurations

BALCONY

PROVIDES

SHADING

MAXIMUM

ROOM

DEPTH

MAXIMUM

ROOM

DEPTH

MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT

IN LIVING AREA

NORTH

Plan diagram. Balconies can be congured and located

to improve internal daylight.

Supporting documentation

Provide dimensions of habitable room depths.

60 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to windows

Why this is important

Windows provide access

to natural daylight, direct

sunlight and airow

into habitable rooms of

apartments, contributing to

the health and wellbeing of

occupants. They can reduce

energy use by enabling

occupants to go about their

daytime activities without

using articial lighting.

Daylight conditions vary

according to the time of day,

the season and the weather.

Apartments should preferably

let in direct sunlight: it helps

make the living environment

pleasant and reduces energy

use by providing passive heat

in cooler weather.

Application

Clause 55.07-14 (Windows)

applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.07-3 (Windows)

applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Windows objective

(Claue 58.07-3 or Clause

55.07-14)

To allow adequate daylight

into new habitable room

windows.

Standard (D26 or B48)

Habitable rooms should have

a window in an external wall of

the building.

A window may provide

daylight to a bedroom from

a smaller secondary area

within the bedroom where the

window is clear to the sky.

The secondary area should

be:

• A minimum width of 1.2

metres.

• A maximum depth of 1.5

times the width, measured

from the external surface of

the window.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The extent to which the

habitable room is provided

with reasonable daylight

access through the

number, size, location and

orientation of windows.

• The useability and amenity

of the dwelling based on

the layout, siting, size and

orientation of habitable

rooms.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 61

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

The functional areas of habitable rooms including living areas should be located directly adjacent

to the window on an external wall.

Borrowed light arrangements (where a room borrows light via an opening to another room) do not

meet the standard.

Refer to further the National Construction Code for minimum window requirements for habitable

spaces.

Snorkel arrangements can only be provided for bedrooms. The maximum depth (1.5 x width) control

applies to the secondary area within the room.

WINDOWS

MINIMUM

WIDTH

1.2 METRES

MAXIMUM

DEPTH =

1.5 x WIDTH

62 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

12.1 Design the window type, size, glazing selection, orientation and placement to respond to

the site context and to optimise daylight.

→ GUIDANCE: Factors to consider include:

• access to and control of direct sunlight through orientation and shading

• access to daylight due to surrounding buildings for example in built up urban locations

• optimising views and outlook while protecting privacy

• opportunities for natural ventilation and the direction of prevailing breezes

• impact of low amenity interfaces with exposure to noise, pollution and poor outlook.

12.2 Design windows and other openings to balance privacy with daylight and outlook.

→ GUIDANCE: Using raised sills or semi- solid balustrades protects privacy into spaces from below

while allowing views out

SEMI SOLID

BALUSTRADE

RAISED

SILL

PLANTER

Section diagram. Design techniques to balance outlook and privacy.

12.3 Skylights may be used to contribute to daylight but should not provide the only source of

daylight into a habitable room.

Supporting documentation

Include dimensions for bedrooms which access daylight via a smaller space within the room to

demonstrate compliance with the standard.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 63

Guidance to storage

Why this is important

Having access to convenient,

accessible and secure storage

improves the functionality of

apartments.

Application

Clause 55.07-10 (Storage)

applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.05-4 (Storage)

applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Storage objective

(Clause 58.05-4 or Clause

55.07-10)

To provide adequate storage

facilities for each dwelling.

Standard (D20 or B44)

Each dwelling should have

convenient access to usable

and secure storage space.

The total minimum storage

space (including kitchen,

bathroom and bedroom

storage) should meet the

requirements specied in

Table D6.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The useability, functionality

and location of storage

facilities provided for the

dwelling.

Table D6 Storage

Dwelling type Total minimum storage volume

Minimum storage volume within

the dwelling

Studio 8 cubic metres 5 cubic metres

1 bedroom dwelling 10 cubic metres 6 cubic metres

2 bedroom dwelling 14 cubic metres 9 cubic metres

3 or more bedroom dwelling 18 cubic metres 12 cubic metres

64 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

The total minimum storage volume in Table D6 includes the minimum storage volume within a

dwelling.

Whitegoods and appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and washing machines

should have dedicated spaces and are not included in the calculation of storage.

Spaces for bicycle and car parking are additional to the storage space requirements in Table D6.

13.1 Provide practical arrangement of storage appropriate to each space within the dwelling.

→ GUIDANCE: A minimum of 1.8 meters of robe length for the main bedroom and a 1.5 meters for

all other bedrooms is practical for clothes storage.

→ GUIDANCE: As a rule of thumb, storage volumes (m3) per linear meter of cupboards are as

follows:

For 600mm deep cupboards

• 750mm bench height = 0.45m

• 2400mm full height = 1.44m

For 300mm deep cupboards

• 750mm overhead cupboard = 0.225m

Plan diagram. Examples of storage areas in typical 1 bed and 2 bed layouts.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 65

13.2 Long term storage provided

externally to an apartment

can be provided in basements

and car parking areas, or in a

common area convenient to the

apartment.

→ GUIDANCE: Dedicated storage

rooms can make use of areas

within the oor plate which have

limited access to natural light

and ventilation

→ GUIDANCE: Locate lockable

storage in locations with good

informal surveillance to improve

security as they are prone to

theft

→ GUIDANCE: Dedicated storage

lockers in basements are

preferred as they provide easier

access when compared to over

car bonnet storage

→ GUIDANCE: Make storage

enclosures a functional shape

and size to suit various needs

such as storing bulky items.

Plan diagram. Long term storage convenient to apartments.

Plan diagram. Long term storage in a car park area.

Functional long term storage volume.

Supporting documentation

Provide a schedule with a breakdown of minimum internal and external storage provisions for each

apartment type.

66 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Guidance to natural ventilation

Why this is important

Natural ventilation is the

movement and change of

fresh air in internal spaces by

natural means using windows

that can be opened.

Cross ventilation is the

movement of air through an

internal space (or spaces)

between one external opening

and another.

Fresh air movement through

an apartment is important

because it contributes to

thermal comfort, increases

passive cooling opportunities

and creates a comfortable

and healthy indoor

environment.

Application

Clause 55.07-15 (Natural

ventilation) applies to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.07-4 (Natural

ventilation) applies to

apartment developments of

ve or more storeys (excluding

a basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Natural ventilation

objectives (Clause 58.07-4

or Clause 55.07-15)

To encourage natural

ventilation of dwellings.

To allow occupants to

effectively manage natural

ventilation of dwellings.

Standard (D27 or B49)

The design and layout of

dwellings should maximise

openable windows, doors or

other ventilation devices in

external walls of the building,

where appropriate.

At least 40 per cent of

dwellings should provide

effective cross ventilation that

has:

• A maximum breeze path

through the dwelling of 18

metres.

• A minimum breeze path

through the dwelling of 5

metres.

• Ventilation openings with

approximately the same

area.

The breeze path is measured

between the ventilation

openings on different

orientations of the dwelling.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an

application, the responsible

authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The size, orientation, slope

and wind exposure of the

site.

• The extent to which the

orientation of the building

and the layout of dwellings

maximises opportunities for

cross ventilation.

• Whether an alternative

design meets the relevant

objectives having regard to

the amenity of the dwelling

and the site context.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 67

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

A breeze path is measured as a sequence of straight line segments measured from the centreline

of openings.

A minimum of one breeze path needs to be nominated.

Refer to the National Construction Code further guidance for minimum ventilation requirements.

14.1 Congure oorplates with corner or through apartments to achieve effective cross

ventilation.

14.2 Wherever possible, provide openable windows or doors into habitable rooms to achieve

natural air ow.

→ GUIDANCE: Effective natural ventilation is inuenced by:

• the clear openable area of varied window types

• prevailing wind conditions and air pressures

• temperature differentials

• the surrounding built environment

• the length of breeze path and number of obstructions through an apartment.

→ GUIDANCE: Use the urban context report of prevailing winds to ensure that opportunities for

natural air ow are maximised.

→ GUIDANCE: Tall buildings may be constrained from providing openable windows at higher levels

due to environmental factors.

Plan diagram. Floorplates allowing for cross ventilation.

68 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

14.3 Locate and design windows that

are on different orientations of a

dwelling to provide cross ventilation

with optimal breeze paths.

→ GUIDANCE: Effective cross ventilation

is achieved when the inlet and outlet

have approximately the same area

allowing air to be drawn through

the apartment using opposite air

pressures on each side of the building.

→ GUIDANCE: An effective breeze path

should minimise the number of doors

and obstructions along the breeze

path.

Xm²

Section diagram. Breeze path showing.

14.4 An adequately sized operable roof

light in a single aspect apartment

may achieve cross ventilation

where adequate air ow can be

demonstrated by engineering

analysis.

→ GUIDANCE: Roof lights should be

designed to be weather protected,

secure and maintain good thermal

performance.

Elevation diagram. Roof lights can provide cross ventilation.

14.5 Demonstrate alternative effective ventilation solutions where cross ventilation is

constrained, for example, by consistently high wind conditions or heritage or adaptive

reuse of existing buildings.

Supporting documentation

Nominate on a plan which apartments are cross ventilated and illustrate the location and length of

the breeze path, or provide a ventilation report for an alternative solution.

Plan diagram. Examples of measuring breeze path length.

5 METRES MINIMUM

18 METRES MAXIMUM

TO BREEZE PATH

ONLY ONE DOORWAY

TO BREEZE PATH

CROSS VENTILATION

OPTION PATH 1

CROSS VENTILATION

OPTION PATH 2

5 METRES MINIMUM

18 METRES MAXIMUM

TO BREEZE PATH

ONLY ONE DOORWAY

TO BREEZE PATH

CROSS VENTILATION

OPTION PATH 1

CROSS VENTILATION

OPTION PATH 2

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 69

Guidance to private open space

Why this is important

Access to functional and

usable private open spaces

- outdoor spaces such as

balconies, courtyards and

terraces accessible only to

the particular apartment -

allows occupants to extend

their living spaces outdoors to

enjoy a range of recreations.

Application

Both Clause 55.05-4 (Private

open space) and Clause

55.07-9 (Private open space

above ground oor) apply to

apartment developments of

four storeys or less (excluding

a basement).

Clause 58.05-3 (Private open

space) applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Note: For simplicity, only the

Objective and Standard

relating to Clause 58.05-3 is

shown below.

Private open space

objective (Clause 58.05-3)

To provide adequate private

open space for the reasonable

recreation and service needs

of residents.

Standard (D19)

A dwelling should have private

open space consisting of:

• An area of 25 square

metres, with a minimum

dimension of 3 metres at

natural ground oor level

and convenient access from

a living room, or

• An area of 15 square metres,

with a minimum dimension

of 3 metres at a podium

or other similar base and

convenient access from a

living room, or

• A balcony with an area and

dimensions specied in

Table D5 and convenient

access from a living room,

• A roof-top area of 10 square

metres with a minimum

dimension of 2 metres and

convenient access from a

living room.

If a cooling or heating unit

is located on a balcony, the

balcony should provide an

additional area of 1.5 square

metres.

Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• The design response.

• The useability and functionality of the private open space, including its size and accessibility.

• The amenity of the private open space based on the orientation of the lot, the wind conditions

and the sunlight it will receive.

• The availability of and access to public or communal open space.

Table D5 Balcony size

Dwelling type Minimum area Minimum dimension

Studio or 1 bedroom dwelling 8 square metres 1.8 metres

2 bedroom dwelling 8 square metres 2 metres

3 or more bedroom dwelling 12 square metres 2.4 metres

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

12 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2.4 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1.8 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1 BEDROOM DWELLING 2 BEDROOM DWELLING

3 BEDROOM DWELLING

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

12 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2.4 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1.8 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1 BEDROOM DWELLING 2 BEDROOM DWELLING

3 BEDROOM DWELLING

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

8 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

12 SQUARE METRES

MINIMUM AREA

2.4 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1.8 METRES

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

1 BEDROOM DWELLING 2 BEDROOM DWELLING

3 BEDROOM DWELLING

1 BEDROOM DWELLING 2 BEDROOM DWELLING 3 BEDROOM DWELLING

70 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

The additional area for an air conditioning unit does not need to meet the minimum balcony

dimension.

The minimum area must be provided in a single usable space. Other balcony areas may be

provided in addition.

Where storage is integrated into balcony design, it is not included in the minimum area

requirements

Where irregular shaped balconies are proposed, only the portion of the balcony which meets the

minimum dimension will be calculated towards the minimum area.

Wintergardens can be counted as private open space, providing they do not compromise

adequate daylight and ventilation to the dwelling.

Where planting areas are included in ground oor, podium or rooftop private open spaces, provide

a clear usable space which meets the minimum dimensions and areas included in Table D5.

Plan diagram. The minimum area provided in a

single usable space.

USEABLE

BALCONY

ZONE

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

Plan diagram. Planting area are included in ground oor private open spaces

with a clear usable space which meets the minimum dimensions and areas

included in Table D5.

USEABLE

ZONE

MINIMUM

DIMENSION

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 71

15.1 Congure balconies to support

other internal apartment amenity

objectives.

→ GUIDANCE: design solutions include:

• Continuous overhanging balconies

to shade windows from direct

summer sun.

• Inset balconies to allow living rooms

to be located at the building edge

increasing daylight to the room.

• Limiting the depth of south facing

balconies where they are located to

the front of living spaces.

• Inset or semi screened balconies,

rather than projecting balconies, to

provide greater wind protection.

• locate balconies to avoid exposure

to noise sources.

• Wintergardens to reduce exposure

to noisy conditions.

Section diagram. Overhanging balconies shade

windows from direct summer sun .

Section diagram. Wintergardens provide protection

in windy conditions.

Plan diagram. Increasing daylight into living areas.

NORTH

MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT

IN LIVING AREA

NORTH

MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT

IN LIVING AREA

NORTH

MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT

IN LIVING AREA

MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT IN LIVING AREA

Section diagram. Wintergardens provide protection

from noise.

Plan diagram. Inset balconies can reduce

exposure in windy conditions.

72 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

15.2 Where the urban context and site layout constrain provision of private open space,

compensate with increased areas of communal open space.

→ GUIDANCE: Examples of constrained situations include high wind conditions, proximity to high

noises, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

Supporting documentation

Provide minimum dimensions and areas to all private open spaces.

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 73

Guidance to accessibility

Why this is important

Accessibility in design

promotes equal access to

apartments for all community

members including those

with limited mobility, families

with young children and older

people. Apartments which

comply with the accessibility

standard can be easily altered

to meet changing needs of

residents and ensures housing

stock caters for a diverse

range of household types over

time.

Application

Clause 55.05-6 (Accessibility)

applies to apartment

developments of four storeys

or less (excluding a basement).

Clause 58.05-1 (Accessibility)

applies to apartment

developments of ve or

more storeys (excluding a

basement) in a residential

zone and all apartment

developments in other zones.

Accessibility objective

(Clause 58.05-1 or Clause

55.05-6)

To ensure the design of

dwellings meets the needs of

people with limited mobility.

Standard (D17 or B41)

At least 50 per cent of

dwellings should have:

• A clear opening width of

at least 850mm at the

entrance to the dwelling

and main bedroom.

• A clear path with a

minimum width of 1.2 metres

that connects the dwelling

entrance to the main

bedroom, an adaptable

bathroom and the living

area.

• A main bedroom with

access to an adaptable

bathroom.

• At least one adaptable

bathroom that meets all

of the requirements of

either Design A or Design B

specied in Table D4.

Table D4 Bathroom design

Design option A Design option B

Door opening A clear 850mm wide door opening. A clear 820mm wide door opening

located opposite the shower.

Door design Either:

1. A slide door, or

2. A door that opens outwards, or

3. A door that opens inwards that is

clear of the circulation area and

has readily removable hinges.

Either:

1. A slide door, or

2. A door that opens outwards, or

3. A door that opens inwards and

has readily removable hinges.

Circulation area A clear circulation area that is:

• A minimum area of 1.2 metres by

1.2 metres.

• Located in front of the shower and

the toilet.

• Clear of the toilet, basin and the

door swing.

The circulation area for the toilet

and shower can overlap.

A clear circulation area that is:

• A minimum width of 1 metre.

• The full length of the bathroom

and a minimum length of 2.7

metres.

• Clear of the toilet and basin.

The circulation area can include a

shower area.

Path to circulation area A clear path with a minimum width

of 900mm from the door opening to

the circulation area.

Not applicable.

Shower A hobless (step-free) shower. A hobless (step-free) shower that

has a removable shower screen and

is located on the furthest wall from

the door opening

Toilet A toilet located in the corner of the

room.

A toilet located closest to the door

opening and clear of the circulation

area.

74 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Design guidance

Minimum accessible room dimensions

2 BEDROOM DWELLINGS ACCESSIBILITY

850mm

1.2m

DESIGN

OPTION B

2.7m

820mm

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

1 BEDROOM ACCESSIBILITY

850mm

1.2m

DESIGN

OPTION A

1.2m

900mm

1 BEDROOM ACCESSIBILITY

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 75

Design guidance

Interpreting the Standard

To meet the design options specied in Table D4 all the requirements of either option A or option B

must be met.

For bathroom design option A, a corner of the bathroom is achieved where a nib wall is provided

which can be tted with a grab rail.

16.1 Locate the main bedroom

with convenient access to the

adaptable bathroom.

→ GUIDANCE: Where the main

bedroom has an ensuite, it should

be nominated as the adaptable

bathroom.

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

850mm

1.2m

DESIGN

OPTION B

2.7m

820mm

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

Plan diagram. An adaptable bathroom convenient to the larger bedroom.

16.2 Congure spaces to achieve

clear access paths while

allowing for functional furniture

arrangements.

→ GUIDANCE: Design openings and

the path of travel so that turning

movements into bedrooms and

bathrooms are minimised.

850mm

1.2m

DESIGN

OPTION B

2.7m

820mm

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

Plan diagram. Clear access paths between entry, living and larger bedroom.

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

DESIGN

OPTION B

2 BEDROOM DWELLING ACCESSIBILITY

76 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

16.3 When providing an adaptable

bathroom to meet either

option A or option B make use

of the typical congurations

illustrated or demonstrate that

the standard is met with an

alternative layout.

→ GUIDANCE: A step free shower

should have a maximum 5mm

height level change between

adjacent surfaces with a bevelled

or rounded edge with falls to the

waste outlet.

1.2m

2.7m

850mm

820mm

850mm

1.2m

Plan diagram. Typical bathroom congurations to comply with Table D4.

16.4 When applying bathroom design

option A, if the toilet cannot be

located in the corner of the room,

include a nib wall adjacent to the

toilet

→ GUIDANCE: A nib wall adjacent to

a toilet needs to be 700mm long

to enable future tting of a grab

rail.

700mm

Plan diagram. A nib wall adjacent to a toilet.

Supporting documentation

Identify apartments which have been designed to meet the accessibility requirements.

Provide dimensions for clear openings, pathways and the adaptable bathrooms.

1.2m

2.7m

850mm

820mm

850mm

1.2m

Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 77

Glossary

Apartment

A dwelling located above the

ceiling level or below the oor

level of another dwelling and

is part of a building containing

two or more dwellings.

Borrowed light

When a room has no window

directly to the outside and

accesses daylight from

adjacent rooms, it is known as

‘borrowed light’.

Building separation

The distance between two

separate buildings clear to the

sky.

Communal open space

The outdoor area(s) of a

building at ground level or

incorporated in or on the

building for the exclusive use

of occupants.

Cooling load

Cooling load means the

calculated amount of heat

energy removed from the

cooled spaces of the building

annually by articial means

to maintain the desired

temperatures in those spaces.

Cooling load is measured as

MJ/m2 per annum.

Cross or cross ow ventilation

The natural movement of air

through an internal space (or

spaces) between one external

opening and another.

Deep soil

An area of natural ground

unimpeded by a structure

below (and above), providing

opportunities for groundwater

inltration and canopy trees.

Dual aspect apartments

An apartment with external

walls facing more than one

direction that allows for the

possibility of natural cross

ventilation from openings

in those walls. This includes

corner apartments, through-

block apartments and

crossover apartments.

Dwelling

A building used as a self-

contained residence which

must include a kitchen sink,

food preparation facilities,

a bath or shower, and a

closet pan and wash basin.

It includes outbuildings and

works normal to a dwelling.

Habitable room

Any room of a dwelling or

residential building other

than a bathroom, laundry,

toilet, pantry, walk-in

wardrobe, corridor, stair, lobby,

photographic darkroom,

clothes drying room and other

space of a specialised nature

occupied neither frequently

nor for extended period.

Light well

An unroofed space bounded

on all sides which provides

daylight to more than one

storey of a building and which

may also provide ventilation.

Natural ventilation

The movement and change

of air in internal spaces by

natural means through the

use of a window that can be

opened rather than the use of

mechanical systems.

One bedroom apartment

An apartment that contains

an additional habitable room

separated from the main

habitable room by a wall.

Orientation

The compass direction that

an apartment, apartment

building or habitable room

faces, typically dened by the

location of primary openings

in external walls.

Outlook

A place from which a view is

possible; a vantage point.

Private open space

An outdoor space of an

apartment for the exclusive

use of occupants.

Snorkel arrangement

A arrangement in an

apartment where the

bedroom is connected to a

window in an exterior wall of

the building via an adjoining

space that is used to access

daylight.

Setback

The minimum distance from

any allotment boundary to a

building.

Single-aspect apartment

An apartment with windows

in external walls facing only in

one direction.

Sunlight

Direct rays from the sun,

providing radiant heat.

78 Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

Thermal comfort

The perception of physical

comfort in a space, which is

inuenced by air temperature

and movement, humidity,

radiant heat, glare and the

sense of having some control

of these factors.

Urban heat island effect

The heating of an urban

area that is warmer than

surrounding rural areas

because vegetated areas

have been replaced with

buildings, roads and other

impervious surfaces as the

area has urbanised.

Wintergardens

Wintergarden balconies

have an additional layer of

operable glass, that can be

readily enclosed and does

not compromise access to

daylight.