Affordable housing is not just defined by up-front costs but also needs to consider ongoing maintenance costs, strata fees and utility rates. This project aims to prevent purchasers from becoming hindered by their mortgage through addressing these issues and offering additional affordable opportunities via ‘active’ communal spaces.
Landcorp created the “Step Up” Affordable Housing Design Competition, asking architects to design concepts for a prospective site.
Hillam Architects responded with twelve highly sustainable townhouses, aiming to create a sense of community and shared ownership while maintaining privacy and comfort, through features such as a common roof terrace on each wing of the project, partially divided by the sloping tilt-up concrete panels.
On the northern wing the roof terrace provides access from the smaller one and two bedroom units to the ‘communal sleeping ‘ and ‘communal office’ areas. Though these are intended for use by all residents priority has been given to the residents of the smaller units who are more likely to require the additional spaces.
When not in use, these spaces can be hired out with the aim of subsiding strata fees and creating a sinking fund for he maintenance and upkeep of the development.
