Northern Beaches Housing Strategy Typology Study

Architectus were engaged by Northern Beaches Council in 2019 to prepare a housing typology study to support the housing strategy being prepared by SGS Economics and planning for Council.

The SGS strategy identified areas within the LGA that could accommodate the State Government’s housing targets according to their capacity under current controls, character and suitability. Within those locations areas were designated by SGS and architectus as ‘centre core’, ‘Mixed housing Area’, ‘Centre Frame/ Influence Area’ and ‘Diversity Option’.

For each area architectus determined the desired future character and allocated appropriate housing typologies ranging from mixed use residential or shop-top housing, to 4-6 storey apartments, trace houses, manor houses, duplexes as well as subdivisions to existing large lots. A matrix was prepared outlining the lot sizes and minimum street frontage required for each typology to account for parking and best practice street-scape outcomes.

There was extensive collaboration with SGS and Council officers, with the study culminating in a presentation to the Councillors prior to the Strategy being documented and ultimately exhibited by Council.