The government has announced that it will undertake a law change to fast-track eligible development. The details are still relatively light but the following types of projects have been singled out for priority at this early stage (my satirical comments added): Roading (to help us re-pollute the air); Walking and cycling (which has been revealed… Continue reading Fast-track Consenting (shudder)
Category: Architecture
The Universality of Universal Design
I’m a big fan of Universal Design. Lifemark, a commercial division of CCS Disability Action, is a well known advocate for universal design in NZ. The Lifemark Design Standards focus on dwellings and are based on the following five key principles: Usable Adaptable Accessible Safe Lifetime value The seven principles of universal design are much… Continue reading The Universality of Universal Design
Location, Location, Quality
The recently released Framework for Housing Quality from Stats NZ defines four elements of housing quality: Habitability Environmental sustainability Functionality Social and cultural sustainability Interestingly, the location of a house affects all four of these elements and has a significant impact on overall housing quality. Habitability Habitable houses are physically safe, secure and healthy. Environmental… Continue reading Location, Location, Quality
Convergence of the Professions
A typical land development project involves a variety of professionals drawing from their respectively diverse bodies of knowledge. Despite this, the outcome sought by you as a developer remains a piece of land or a new building to use or sell. Achieving this outcome requires unprecedented workflow collaboration, usually under the direction of a lead… Continue reading Convergence of the Professions