Architecture
Building on a Corner Block: Is it Right for You?
An architect reveals the pros and cons of building your home on a corner block
How does double the street frontage and the convenience of multiple access points sound to you? There’s a lot to be said for corner blocks, but they have their downsides too (graffiti wall, anyone?) We’ve uncovered the pros and cons of building on a corner block so you can decide if it’s the right route for you.
Distinguishing architectural styles
Pros: A corner site gives you the opportunity to showcase two clearly distinguishable, opposing architectural styles, for example when introducing a contemporary addition to a period building. Differentiating new and old provides the language for future generations to date the building.
Cons: There is an argument that one style of architecture robs the other of its standing in the streetscape. But you need to ask yourself: is blurring the lines between new and old a more appropriate design solution, where only one style of architecture stands out? Some would argue for and some against.
Pros: A corner site gives you the opportunity to showcase two clearly distinguishable, opposing architectural styles, for example when introducing a contemporary addition to a period building. Differentiating new and old provides the language for future generations to date the building.
Cons: There is an argument that one style of architecture robs the other of its standing in the streetscape. But you need to ask yourself: is blurring the lines between new and old a more appropriate design solution, where only one style of architecture stands out? Some would argue for and some against.
The element of surprise
Pros: Generally, when there is only one facade facing the street, passers-by don’t get the chance to see a new rear extension to an existing building. But having two street frontages allows you to give the public a delightful surprise when they’re walking down the side of your building. Here, what appears to be a decades-old shop in fact contains an interesting contemporary rear addition that only reveals itself when you turn the corner.
Pros: Generally, when there is only one facade facing the street, passers-by don’t get the chance to see a new rear extension to an existing building. But having two street frontages allows you to give the public a delightful surprise when they’re walking down the side of your building. Here, what appears to be a decades-old shop in fact contains an interesting contemporary rear addition that only reveals itself when you turn the corner.
Cons: This, of course, can be a source of disappointment to the passer-by if they don’t appreciate the new architectural language they see as they turn the corner.
Multiple access points
Pros: Depending on individual local laws, being able to choose where you locate your driveway crossing, garage and front door can give you greater design flexibility, which can be particularly useful if you have a sloping site.
In this house, car access is located on the lower level via the main street, while pedestrian access is above it on the middle level via the side street. This is more convenient for visitors coming into the home on foot, as they will have fewer stairs to climb.
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Pros: Depending on individual local laws, being able to choose where you locate your driveway crossing, garage and front door can give you greater design flexibility, which can be particularly useful if you have a sloping site.
In this house, car access is located on the lower level via the main street, while pedestrian access is above it on the middle level via the side street. This is more convenient for visitors coming into the home on foot, as they will have fewer stairs to climb.
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Two separate addresses
Pros: If you run a business from home, having a side entry point on the street allows you to set up an office that’s completely separate from your private space. This is a great way to differentiate your work and private life, and gives you the opportunity to put a truly professional face to your business.
Rather than squeezing your work space into an out-building in the backyard, your home office will have its own street presence where you can welcome colleagues. After work, home is just a few steps down the street; no more time-consuming commute.
Pros: If you run a business from home, having a side entry point on the street allows you to set up an office that’s completely separate from your private space. This is a great way to differentiate your work and private life, and gives you the opportunity to put a truly professional face to your business.
Rather than squeezing your work space into an out-building in the backyard, your home office will have its own street presence where you can welcome colleagues. After work, home is just a few steps down the street; no more time-consuming commute.
Dual-purpose backyard
Pros: If you live in the inner city where land sizes are small, the ability to use your backyard as both a car space and an outdoor entertaining area is a boon. You can secure your car when you need to, and turn the outdoor space into an alfresco area when you have guests over.
Having side-street access is also useful when having furniture removed or delivered.
Pros: If you live in the inner city where land sizes are small, the ability to use your backyard as both a car space and an outdoor entertaining area is a boon. You can secure your car when you need to, and turn the outdoor space into an alfresco area when you have guests over.
Having side-street access is also useful when having furniture removed or delivered.
Easy access for future works
Pros: Having front, side and rear access, as shown here, gives you the confidence that, even if you’re not ready to build that swimming pool or extension right now, you’ve got clear and easy access when you’re ready to do so in the future. Having direct access for large machinery will cut the cost of construction and limit disruption to your home.
Pros: Having front, side and rear access, as shown here, gives you the confidence that, even if you’re not ready to build that swimming pool or extension right now, you’ve got clear and easy access when you’re ready to do so in the future. Having direct access for large machinery will cut the cost of construction and limit disruption to your home.
Security and visibility
Cons: Being so close to the public interface on a corner block can present some security challenges. With blind spots at the side and sometimes at the rear too, there is a perception of vulnerability. However, carefully placed windows that allow you to see outside before you open the door can help minimise this concern.
Cons: Being so close to the public interface on a corner block can present some security challenges. With blind spots at the side and sometimes at the rear too, there is a perception of vulnerability. However, carefully placed windows that allow you to see outside before you open the door can help minimise this concern.
Privacy
Pros: In other ways, being on a corner block can afford a complete sense of privacy and security. Not only do you have one less neighbour to your boundary, but the architecture can convey a fortress-like barrier through its detailing, warning off would-be intruders. This corner house manages to blur the lines between the stone facade and the boundary fence, giving the illusion that you’d have to scale a two-storey wall to get in.
Cons: You might argue that having one less neighbour to your side is a blessing. But then again, that neighbour could be a security boost as they will provide an extra set of eyes to watch your house.
Pros: In other ways, being on a corner block can afford a complete sense of privacy and security. Not only do you have one less neighbour to your boundary, but the architecture can convey a fortress-like barrier through its detailing, warning off would-be intruders. This corner house manages to blur the lines between the stone facade and the boundary fence, giving the illusion that you’d have to scale a two-storey wall to get in.
Cons: You might argue that having one less neighbour to your side is a blessing. But then again, that neighbour could be a security boost as they will provide an extra set of eyes to watch your house.
Fencing options
Pros: Having two street frontages and no neighbour beside you means you can get creative with your fencing and install one that complements your architecture perfectly, as it wraps around the corner. Be aware, however, that local laws may dictate the height and setback distance of fencing to allow visibility for oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Cons: Rather than splitting the cost of a traditional paling fence with a neighbour, with a corner block you’re responsible for covering the entire cost of the fence.
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Pros: Having two street frontages and no neighbour beside you means you can get creative with your fencing and install one that complements your architecture perfectly, as it wraps around the corner. Be aware, however, that local laws may dictate the height and setback distance of fencing to allow visibility for oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Cons: Rather than splitting the cost of a traditional paling fence with a neighbour, with a corner block you’re responsible for covering the entire cost of the fence.
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Landscaping
Pros: Having two street frontages creates a larger canvas to showcase your garden to the world.
Cons: However, depending on your location, having two street frontages invariably adds to your weekend work. Normally you would only have to tend to one nature strip, but now you may be forced to look after two.
Pros: Having two street frontages creates a larger canvas to showcase your garden to the world.
Cons: However, depending on your location, having two street frontages invariably adds to your weekend work. Normally you would only have to tend to one nature strip, but now you may be forced to look after two.
Unwanted wall attention
Cons: Fencing and walls built at the boundary line of a corner block can prove an irresistible blank canvas for vandals and graffiti artists.
Cons: Fencing and walls built at the boundary line of a corner block can prove an irresistible blank canvas for vandals and graffiti artists.
A blank canvas
Pros: Why not turn that blank canvas that forms your side street wall into a proper work of art? The architects of this home have used simple bricks to design a sculptural wall spelling out a friendly greeting. It gives everyone who passes by a reason to smile, and ensures the property stands out from the crowd.
Pros: Why not turn that blank canvas that forms your side street wall into a proper work of art? The architects of this home have used simple bricks to design a sculptural wall spelling out a friendly greeting. It gives everyone who passes by a reason to smile, and ensures the property stands out from the crowd.
Traffic and noise
Cons: Being on a corner can mean you’re subjected to the noise of cars and pedestrians, not just on one street but on two. Couple this with the glow of street lighting and the sweeping headlights of cars as they turn the corner, and your windows could light up like a Christmas tree at night, even with decent window coverings.
Pros: Being on a corner gives you twice the amount of on-street parking for visiting friends and family – even if they are the ones making all the noise.
Cons: Being on a corner can mean you’re subjected to the noise of cars and pedestrians, not just on one street but on two. Couple this with the glow of street lighting and the sweeping headlights of cars as they turn the corner, and your windows could light up like a Christmas tree at night, even with decent window coverings.
Pros: Being on a corner gives you twice the amount of on-street parking for visiting friends and family – even if they are the ones making all the noise.
Building heights and setbacks
Pros: Depending on your location and local authority requirements, building heights and setbacks on a corner block may be more advantageous, allowing you to build right up to the title boundary and to a greater height. This gives you greater design flexibility, especially with inner-city homes that are often on small allotments and irregular parcels of land. What you end up with could be a striking piece of architecture, as with this one here.
Cons: Some local authorities have more restrictive building heights and setback requirements, taking the view that these could hamper visibility for cars and pedestrians. As a result, you could wind up with a smaller footprint within which to design your home.
Pros: Depending on your location and local authority requirements, building heights and setbacks on a corner block may be more advantageous, allowing you to build right up to the title boundary and to a greater height. This gives you greater design flexibility, especially with inner-city homes that are often on small allotments and irregular parcels of land. What you end up with could be a striking piece of architecture, as with this one here.
Cons: Some local authorities have more restrictive building heights and setback requirements, taking the view that these could hamper visibility for cars and pedestrians. As a result, you could wind up with a smaller footprint within which to design your home.
Development potential
Pros: One of the great advantages of corner-block builds is that down the track you can choose to subdivide your backyard (subject to local authority permission) and build a second home to either sell or downsize to, which means you can boost your profits while continuing to live in the neighbourhood you love.
Cons: By subdividing, you’ll lose much of your backyard. However, if the task of looking after your garden is becoming too much, then you may view this as a positive.
Tell us
Would you consider living on a corner block? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like this story, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
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Pros: One of the great advantages of corner-block builds is that down the track you can choose to subdivide your backyard (subject to local authority permission) and build a second home to either sell or downsize to, which means you can boost your profits while continuing to live in the neighbourhood you love.
Cons: By subdividing, you’ll lose much of your backyard. However, if the task of looking after your garden is becoming too much, then you may view this as a positive.
Tell us
Would you consider living on a corner block? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like this story, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more building stories
Pros: Having two facades rather than one means that more of your house can be viewed from the street. The bigger canvas allows you to showcase your individual stye and to present an architecturally interesting design to the public.
Cons: Rather than having one street-facing facade to design, you now have two… and in some cases even three, if the rear can be seen from the side street. This can add considerably to the construction cost.
See more stunning facades