Rethinking Apartment Living: Aligning Design with the Diverse Needs of Australian Families
As the Australian landscape shifts towards more families choosing apartment living, recent research from UNSW Sydney highlights a crucial gap in the housing market. While developers often focus on maximizing profitability through standard designs, the actual needs of residents, especially families with children, are frequently overlooked. This discrepancy in priorities has been documented in a detailed study published in the *Australian Geographer*.
The Growing Mismatch in Apartment Designs
The study, led by Professor Philip Oldfield, Head of the School of Built Environment at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, and Dr. Hyungmo Yang, a recent PhD graduate now at Hanyang University, analyzed 368 apartment units across three local government areas in Sydney. Their findings? A staggering 81% of these units were one or two-bedroom apartments, predominantly designed without hallways or corridors, catering more to investor preferences than to the needs of resident families.
This approach to design reveals a stark preference for generic, cost-effective configurations that adhere to minimum standards—easy to sell but often not fit for living, especially for families. The lack of consideration for more nuanced spatial needs—like privacy for older children and supervisory ease for younger ones—poses a significant challenge for families aiming to make these spaces their homes.
The Real Impact on Families
Interviews with families residing in these apartments expressed dissatisfaction, particularly with the small sizes and impractical layouts. Parents emphasized the need for different configurations based on their children’s ages. For instance, families with younger children preferred closely situated bedrooms for easier supervision, while those with older children valued more separated spaces for increased privacy.
The research underscores a fundamental oversight: the prevailing designs do not anticipate the evolving needs of families who might live in these spaces over time. Instead, they cater to the initial sale to investors, many of whom may never occupy the units.
Proposing a Flexible Future
The study proposes a shift towards more flexible apartment layouts. These would include moveable internal walls and adaptable furniture, allowing residents to modify their living spaces as their needs change. Such designs could revolutionise apartment living, making it more appealing and functional for a wider range of residents.
Professor Oldfield advocates for regulations that incentivize developers to adopt such flexible designs. This not only meets the immediate needs of families but also enhances the long-term value of the properties, benefitting both residents and developers alike.
Conclusion: Building for People, Not Just Profit
The shift towards apartment living among families is undeniable. As this trend continues, it becomes imperative that developers and architects rethink their strategies to create spaces that genuinely accommodate the diverse and dynamic needs of all residents. By focusing on quality and flexibility, we can ensure that apartments are not just investments but homes that nurture family life and community well-being.
This study serves as a call to action for the industry to prioritise the people who live in these spaces over the profits they generate, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and adaptable urban environment.
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