A property industry leader has called for the introduction of design guidelines which support the liveability of apartments in our major cities.

While stopping short of recommending a standard apartment size across all states, Australand Victorian residential general manager, Rob Pradolin, says this type of accommodation should have basic design elements such as access to natural light and sufficiently spacious bedrooms.

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Mr Pradolin says the push from some commercial sectors for smaller apartments – some less than 40 sqm – is leading to “shoe-box-style” accommodation outcomes at the lower end of the market.

The demand for city apartments is booming.

“As an industry our apartments are getting smaller due to the impact of the increasing commercial construction costs and the developer’s objective to keep the ultimate sale price affordable,” says the Australand spokesman, who is a member of a Victorian 
Government-appointed committee looking establishing minimum design guidelines for apartments.

“In doing so, as an industry, we need to ensure that proper size beds are able to be used within the bedrooms that allows a reasonable level of circulation.

“I know of some developments where you cannot fit a queen-size bed into the apartment. That does not lead to good long-term outcomes for the owner nor the tenant.”

Mr Pradolin says the industry needs to follow simple principles “to ensure we maximise the opportunity for natural light and a number of other small but significant design elements that don’t really cost any money but are possible with some intellectual rigour in the design phase.”

The generally accepted minimum size of apartments in NSW are 50 sqm for a one-bedroom apartment.

While emphasising that each state has different design circumstances in its capitals, he says that mandated minimum sizes for apartments in New South Wales were an example of one state government approach to the problem. “The generally accepted minimum size of apartments in NSW are 50 sqm for a one-bedroom apartment, 70 sqm for a two-bedroom model and 95sqm for a three-bedroom apartment,” he says.

The Australand chief says while Australia should have national framework for apartment standards at “some point”, it will need “a lot more understanding of how they will be used”.

“Liveability is not something that can be state specific,” he says. “It’s an approach to what is considered liveable on a number of fronts. 
NSW has minimum apartment sizes and I believe a legislative requirement to have all buildings over three storeys designed by a registered architect.

“This has had the greatest impact with improving the liveability of apartments in Sydney. The minimum sizes, however, have not helped affordability nor does it allow for innovation where innovative smaller apartments are not possible unless they meet the minimum sizes. I don’t believe that we should have a prescriptive apartment size as this will stifle innovation.”

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