Architecture
Back to the City: Redefining the Modern Australian Dream
Forget the house on the quarter-acre block – discover how the 'Australian Dream' is being redefined by a new wave of inner-city housing
Arising out of the popularity of urban living, and as a reaction to the high house prices that have followed the decrease in supply, especially in urban districts, architects are looking for new solutions to cater for an increasing variety of people choosing to own a home in the city.
Post World War II saw the emergence of the Great Australian Dream. Changes in government policy, low interest rates and the fact that a deposit wasn’t necessary for a down payment on a property fostered the rapid expansion of home ownership. Traditionally, this ‘Dream’ encompassed a house (and car) on a quarter-acre block. In the baby-boomer era, families were basking in peace and prosperity following 16 years of international conflict and economic depression. Land was affordable and the ratio of debt-to-household income comfortable.
Today, people still desire to own a home, but the once affordable ‘quarter-acre dream’ often requires living in new land subdivisions on the outskirts of the city. Successive governments have opened up greenfield land, offering it at affordable prices. However, this comes with a hidden social and economic cost. Typically, to finance and pay a mortgage, households require double incomes, but the long travel times to and from work for the principal income earners (often parents) impact the amount of time that they can spend with family and friends. Other challenges in these fringe areas are often due to a lack of infrastructure, including poor public transport, limited childcare and long travel times to schools.
This is why urban areas, once considered down-at-the-heel, are now popular. Inner-city suburbs have the benefit of being in closer proximity to work opportunities. There is also good public transport, a choice of schools, a variety of recreational pursuits, cultural events, shopping and many restaurants or casual eateries. This desirability of living in the city has given rise to a new Modern Australian dream – and the desire for a quarter-acre has fallen away. Today, people moving to the inner city can choose from different housing types to suit their lifestyle, family and budget, and we explore some below.
Post World War II saw the emergence of the Great Australian Dream. Changes in government policy, low interest rates and the fact that a deposit wasn’t necessary for a down payment on a property fostered the rapid expansion of home ownership. Traditionally, this ‘Dream’ encompassed a house (and car) on a quarter-acre block. In the baby-boomer era, families were basking in peace and prosperity following 16 years of international conflict and economic depression. Land was affordable and the ratio of debt-to-household income comfortable.
Today, people still desire to own a home, but the once affordable ‘quarter-acre dream’ often requires living in new land subdivisions on the outskirts of the city. Successive governments have opened up greenfield land, offering it at affordable prices. However, this comes with a hidden social and economic cost. Typically, to finance and pay a mortgage, households require double incomes, but the long travel times to and from work for the principal income earners (often parents) impact the amount of time that they can spend with family and friends. Other challenges in these fringe areas are often due to a lack of infrastructure, including poor public transport, limited childcare and long travel times to schools.
This is why urban areas, once considered down-at-the-heel, are now popular. Inner-city suburbs have the benefit of being in closer proximity to work opportunities. There is also good public transport, a choice of schools, a variety of recreational pursuits, cultural events, shopping and many restaurants or casual eateries. This desirability of living in the city has given rise to a new Modern Australian dream – and the desire for a quarter-acre has fallen away. Today, people moving to the inner city can choose from different housing types to suit their lifestyle, family and budget, and we explore some below.
Shopfront redevelopments
This shopfront design by Archsign has been redeveloped to create three new townhouses in Melbourne. The original facade has been retained and built over with a new first storey. The benefit? There is no wasted land. The developer could build right on the street perimeter, based on a zero-setback precedent set by the original shop build.
This shopfront design by Archsign has been redeveloped to create three new townhouses in Melbourne. The original facade has been retained and built over with a new first storey. The benefit? There is no wasted land. The developer could build right on the street perimeter, based on a zero-setback precedent set by the original shop build.
Decommissioned buildings
In the above instance, an abandoned substation in Melbourne with heritage significance, circa 1929, was identified with potential. S2 design cleverly created three townhouses, without compromising the original substation. This innovation gave an abandoned site a new lease on life and resulted in intriguing and unique inner-city homes.
In the above instance, an abandoned substation in Melbourne with heritage significance, circa 1929, was identified with potential. S2 design cleverly created three townhouses, without compromising the original substation. This innovation gave an abandoned site a new lease on life and resulted in intriguing and unique inner-city homes.
Church redevelopments
Churches are often located in prime positions with generous land surrounding the building. Occasionally an old church that is no longer in use is sold, which provides an opportunity for a unique build. The church redevelopment and out buildings pictured here, designed by BY Projects Architecture, resulted in numerous individual units, including three new homes to the rear of the site.
More church conversions
Churches are often located in prime positions with generous land surrounding the building. Occasionally an old church that is no longer in use is sold, which provides an opportunity for a unique build. The church redevelopment and out buildings pictured here, designed by BY Projects Architecture, resulted in numerous individual units, including three new homes to the rear of the site.
More church conversions
Warehouse conversions
Another opportunity architects capitalise on is redundant buildings that can be converted with a new purpose. The warehouse shown here has been converted into new housing. Existing large windows create great opportunity for light to flood the interior while very high ceilings provide a volume that can incorporate mezzanine spaces into the design.
Another opportunity architects capitalise on is redundant buildings that can be converted with a new purpose. The warehouse shown here has been converted into new housing. Existing large windows create great opportunity for light to flood the interior while very high ceilings provide a volume that can incorporate mezzanine spaces into the design.
The interior of this redeveloped wool store warehouse apartment shows how different levels can be achieved due to the huge spatial opportunities existing between floors. Intricate voids with soaring ceilings and the use of original materials enhance the design, with the old built into the new and vice versa.
Factory conversions
A factory conversion of a redundant building is one more way to encourage greater diversity of housing stock as well as a way for more people to live closer to work, so that they can take advantage of all the benefits of inner-city living. Interventions such as this, however, require planning laws and regulations that support considered architectural design of the house or housing units.
A factory conversion of a redundant building is one more way to encourage greater diversity of housing stock as well as a way for more people to live closer to work, so that they can take advantage of all the benefits of inner-city living. Interventions such as this, however, require planning laws and regulations that support considered architectural design of the house or housing units.
Townhouse developments
Increased density situated on a large allotment was the key to the success of this project. Originally, there was only a single house standing on this 1700-square-metre Melbourne plot. Situated on busy Burke Road, Hawthorn, with public transport at its doorstep, it was identified as an excellent opportunity for redevelopment. The property now contains nine dwellings, offering lots of householders the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of inner-city living.
Increased density situated on a large allotment was the key to the success of this project. Originally, there was only a single house standing on this 1700-square-metre Melbourne plot. Situated on busy Burke Road, Hawthorn, with public transport at its doorstep, it was identified as an excellent opportunity for redevelopment. The property now contains nine dwellings, offering lots of householders the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of inner-city living.
High-rise developments
These green leafy Skyhomes, designed by DE atelier Architects, were inspired by the concept of a tree-lined vertical street. With a single apartment per level, it is akin in size and amenity to 13 single family homes, each on a 650-square-metre block. The innovative concept provides a garden aspect to every apartment on every level.
These green leafy Skyhomes, designed by DE atelier Architects, were inspired by the concept of a tree-lined vertical street. With a single apartment per level, it is akin in size and amenity to 13 single family homes, each on a 650-square-metre block. The innovative concept provides a garden aspect to every apartment on every level.
If we restrict the land within the inner-city ring and do not allow sensitive development that can provide alternative housing options, we force people to the outer fringes of our cities, and sometimes make them alienated from greater community life, stranding people in communities where there may be a lack of public services and infrastructure.
The risk to the ‘liveability’ in our inner-city areas is, however, limited housing choices. But this is where architects can help in redeveloping unused sites and old building stock. Whether it be a townhouse, duplex, multi-unit or apartment-style home, it is important a variety of housing typologies are provided in the inner-city suburbs, as these already have good public transport, and are often close to jobs. The quarter-acre dream home is no longer seen as the only measure of success. With new solutions and reinvented properties within our inner cities, people can achieve a new Australian dream for the 21st century.
TELL US
Have you moved to a converted warehouse, loft or home in the inner city? Tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Industrial
Roots of Style: How Did Your Urban Australian House Gets Its Look?
The risk to the ‘liveability’ in our inner-city areas is, however, limited housing choices. But this is where architects can help in redeveloping unused sites and old building stock. Whether it be a townhouse, duplex, multi-unit or apartment-style home, it is important a variety of housing typologies are provided in the inner-city suburbs, as these already have good public transport, and are often close to jobs. The quarter-acre dream home is no longer seen as the only measure of success. With new solutions and reinvented properties within our inner cities, people can achieve a new Australian dream for the 21st century.
TELL US
Have you moved to a converted warehouse, loft or home in the inner city? Tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Industrial
Roots of Style: How Did Your Urban Australian House Gets Its Look?
Tucked away on street corners, or hidden on old shopping strips are little gems. Old shopfronts are ripe for redevelopment, as they are often on a parcel of land perfect for a compact home. Part of the original facade of this shopfront is still visible from the street but a beautiful, cosy home designed by Index Architecture has been created beyond.