Lifestyle as we used to know it has changed because of the pandemic and climate change concerns and it’s having an impact on housing choice on the Coast.
But BRD Group managing director Brad Read, who works on the design of multi-residential and commercial buildings, says the two key issues are having conflicting effects.
“The pandemic is driving people to have bigger units with bigger external areas as opposed to if you are talking cost of living that would generally drive unit sizes down and sustainability,” said Mr Read.
“So, from our perspective, we see the two in conflict. One is driving up sizes. One tends to drive sizes down.”
Design changes driven by the pandemic include less units, more frontage, internal courtyards, more natural light and ventilation and green walls.
“Common zones are being broken down into multiple zones rather than one big zone,” said Mr Read.
“The cost of living has seen the demand for solar integration and natural ventilation to reduce the need for air conditioning requirements”, he added.
Overall Mr Read hasn’t seen a demand for wholesale changes to the design of residential and commercial complexes. It’s been more about subtle tweaks.
Some of BRD’s clients are now wanting units created with a minimum of 250 square metres and more.
“If you went back two, three years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been doing that. We were doing big units 10 years and then that decreased and now we are going way back up again.”
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The most recently completed Botanica in Maroochydore reflects this change with 16 units of about 300 square metres and expansive outdoor areas.
The newest vertical retirement complex in Maroochydore, which is currently in the design phase and aimed at a younger entry age, will have increased indoor and outdoor areas for the units and flexibility in its larger open spaces and common areas.
On the commercial front, due to the challenges around availability of building products, more thought has gone into how buildings are being constructed.
BRD is also working into its new commercial designs larger workspaces.
“We are very aware of not having a call-centre type approach,” said Mr Read.
His design team is working on larger workspaces and incorporating balconies to improve the quality of staff areas.
