EXAMPLE DESIGN 1

SIX
TERRACE
HOMES
16.5m wide site
Mixed housing suburban zone
Introduction
Your guide to designing good quality terrace This example design features
housing on a 16.5m wide site.
Design for the residential planning zones
Designing terrace housing for Auckland’s narrow Design reflects the standards & assessment
suburban sites can be challenging. Achieving criteria of the relevant residential zone.
good design outcomes while also delivering a
profitable development is not always easy. Maximum development yield
Maximises the number of homes built
This example design demonstrates how to create on the site.
low cost, high yield development that supports a
good quality of life for residents and contributes to Good urban design outcomes
creating safe, green neighbourhoods. Delivers functional, liveable homes & supports
This design guide is one of a series developed in safe & green neighbourhoods.
conjunction with Context Architects.
Simple building design
Find more example designs at Helps keep building costs low while still
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/example-designs delivering minimum standards of good design.

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Development Brief
& Site Layout
 Development Brief
16.5m Specifications Important Planning Standards
N Unitary Plan Zone Maximum Building Coverage
Mixed Housing Suburban 40%

Development Yield Minimum Landscape Coverage

Minimum of 6 terrace homes 40%
(5x 3 bedroom & 1x 2 bedroom)
Yard Setbacks
Parking 3m front + 1m side & rear boundary setbacks
1 car park per dwelling
Principal Outlook Space
Site Area
Topography 6m deep x 4m wide
Flat
53m

875m2
Outdoor Living Space
Price Bracket 20m2 per dwelling
Affordable homes
Alternative height in relation to boundary
Additional Requirements Please note that this control requires site
Best practice urban design specific resource consent approval

A Note on Context
This design is conceptual and has been
created without regard to a context.
Any real development will need to
Street
consider and respond to its surrounding
context and any resource consenting
requirements, including notification.

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Site Layout Options
Option 1
Dwellings along the street frontage are directly N
accessible from the street 1

Vehicle access & parking is space efficient and

Street
2 4
concealed from the street
3 5
The narrow width of dwellings may create poor Bins
quality internal spaces
Lower development yield than other options

Option 2
Front dwelling faces out over the street N

Parking is space efficient and concealed from

1 2 3 4
the street

Street
5 6
Homes have good dimensions and reasonably
sized outdoor living areas Bins
Highest yield

Option 3
Front dwelling faces out over the street N

Outdoor living spaces have good privacy

Street
Vehicle access & parking is not space efficient 1 2 3 4 5 6

Outlook and landscape planning rules not met

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Preferred Site Layout (Option 2)
N

Street
Street
0 10 Ground Floor

First Floor
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Site Planning Compliance

Street
Coverages & Setbacks Functionality & Amenity Access
Building setbacks - 1m side & rear 20m2 private outdoor living area Clear & legible pedestrian access
boundary + 3m street boundary

33% building coverage (max 40%) 4m wide x 6m principal outlook area Car park

40% landscape coverage (min 40%) Waste bin storage area

75% front yard landscaping (min 50%)

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Design Details
Site Design

3
4
3 3

Street
2 1
2

6 3
5
6

1 Homes are located at the front of the 3 Frequently used, less privacy sensitive 5 Homes have a sunny & easily
site and address the street. rooms are located & designed to have accessible private outdoor area.
These homes have windows and views over communal & public areas. This area connects directly to a
doors that face onto the street and an Residents using these kitchen, dining ground floor living room via large
attractively landscaped front yard. This & living rooms unconsciously keep “an glazed doors, creating a sense of
helps to create a safe and attractive eye out” every time they look out their spaciousness and a strong indoor/
neighbourhood. window. This natural surveillance helps outdoor flow. To help achieve this
to create a safer neighbourhood. the outdoor living area should
2 Parking is concealed from the street be collocated with the principal
& is space efficient. 4 Dwellings have well dimensioned outlook planning control.
Using buildings to screen parking rooms and provide for residents’
helps to create a more attractive and daily needs. 6 Everyday needs are designed into
well surveilled street. A shared parking Rooms are compact, but still sized to the development.
pad & short driveway provides space create pleasant, functional spaces. This includes storage spaces,
efficient parking, creating more room Rooms have good levels of natural waste bin storage & washing lines.
for homes & high-quality outdoor areas. light and ventilation.
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Street to Front Door

3 3
1

2 4

The design of the front yard and street 1 Homes are designed to face the street. 3 Frequently used kitchen & living
facing elevation of buildings have an Homes are located at the front of the rooms are located on the ground floor
important impact on the attractiveness site, with larger windows and a front door and have clear views of the street.
of a development and the safety of the that faces onto the street. This creates a This helps to create safer streets and
more attractive neighbourhood. Because homes. Take care to ensure that
surrounding neighbourhood. residents “keep an eye” on the street planting and fencing do not block these
every time they look out their window important views to the street.
These areas are the public face of the these homes also contribute towards
development and will contribute to the creating a safer neighbourhood.
important first impressions formed by 4 Safe driveways.
potential buyers and visitors. 2 An attractively landscaped front yard. Keep fencing and planting low near
driveway entrances. This makes it easier
Fencing is kept low and at least 50% of for vehicles leaving the site to see
the front yard is soft landscaping - this pedestrians on the footpath, reducing
means grass, shrubs and larger trees. the risk of injury or death.
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Access, Parking & Communal Areas

5
4

4
1

On narrow sites driveways compete 2 Space used for cars is minimised. 4 Attractive landscaping.
directly for space with homes and outdoor Grouped car parking and shorter Landscaping improves the attractiveness of
areas. Less space used by cars means driveways allows more space for the development and increases residents’
more space for homes and outdoor areas - homes and outdoor spaces. privacy by physically separating homes
from driveways and pedestrian paths.
contributing to a higher development yield Where practical include larger trees,
and better quality spaces for residents. 3 Safe and clear pedestrian paths.
alongside shrubs and ground covers.
These connect homes to communal
areas and the street. They should be
1 Parking is concealed from the street. clearly distinguished from driveways 5 Waste storage & removal facilities.
Locating car parking behind buildings through differences in colour and/or These should be considered early in the
helps create a more attractive and materials. For safety and security they design process. Bins should be easily
active street front and neighbourhood. should have clear lines of sight and be accessible, but screened from view using
highly visible from surrounding homes. bin storage enclosures.
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Private Outdoor Spaces

Quality private outdoor spaces improve 1 Private outdoor spaces receive good 3 Every private outdoor space connects
residents’ quality of life and can increase levels of direct sunlight. directly to a dining or living room.
the value of a development. The smaller Avoid locating these spaces in This ensures outdoor areas are easily
an outdoor space, the more important it is shaded areas. accessible and maximises residents’ use
that the space is well designed. and enjoyment of these spaces.
2 Ground floor outdoor spaces feel
Don’t forget to consider the functional private and spacious. 4 Private outdoor areas are designed to
needs of outdoor spaces i.e. do residents A minimum depth of 6m normally helps be attractive & functional spaces.
have an easily accessible storage space to provide a reasonable sense of Landscaping should include patios,
spaciousness. Neighbouring homes and planting and trees. The location and
for gardening tools and a lawn mower? fencing should be designed to provide design of garden sheds, rainwater tanks,
good levels of privacy to these areas. bin storage areas and clotheslines should
not undermine the attractiveness and
usability of these areas.
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The Building

1
4
2

Good design strikes a balance between 1 A simple but varied building form. 4 A pattern of vertical & horizontal lines.
form, function and cost to create healthy, Pushing in & pulling out elements of a Semi-regular spacing of doors and
attractive and affordable homes. building can help create visual interest. windows helps create a rhythm of
This variation should be a logical vertical and horizontal lines, which is
reflection of the building’s internal layout. pleasing to the eye. Horizontally align
Consistency in the spacing and design of the top edge of doors and windows,
building elements and materials can create and vertically aligning their outer edges.
2 A simple roof form often works best.
a coherent, pleasing design.
Consider the roof pitch, material and
depth of overhangs. 5 Variation in cladding materials.
Including elements of variation adds Variation in materials can help create
interest and avoids creating a bland, 3 Clearly identifiable home entrances. a visually interesting building. Limiting
homogeneous building. This is particularly Canopies can help emphasise entrances variation to a maximum of 2-3 materials
important for longer buildings. and provide shelter from bad weather. often works best.
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Building Function
Homes should be comfortable, have a 4 Glazing.
reasonable sense of spaciousness and Views are provided from less privacy
meet the long term needs of occupants. sensitive rooms over communal and 5
public outdoor spaces, meaning
1 Well dimensioned, usable room sizes. residents keep an eye on these
areas every time they look out their 4
Dining and living rooms are sized window. Rooms have good levels of
to comfortably accommodate all natural light and openable windows
the residents of a home and have a to provide natural ventilation. 4
minimum width of 3.8m. Bedrooms 1
comfortably accommodate a queen
bed and a wardrobe space. 5 Landscaping.
2
Generous planting is included
2 Good connection to outdoor spaces. throughout, with larger trees planted
where possible. Plants are selected 3
The main private outdoor space based upon the growing conditions,
connects directly to a communal living/ final size of the plant at maturity and
dining room. This ensures all occupants any plant maintenance requirements.
can easily access this outdoor area Shading of neighbouring properties
and creates a strong visual connection must also be considered. Ground Floor
between the home and the outdoors.
Throughout the development
3 Adequate storage spaces. landscaping acts as a buffer
between communal spaces and 1
Wardrobes are provided in all
bedrooms. Kitchens have reasonable homes, helping to provide a sense
food storage space for the number of of privacy for residents. 3
occupants. Additional indoor storage
spaces and secure outdoor storage
lockers or sheds provide storage for
household essentials, gardening tools,
recreational items etc. First
Floor

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Related Design
Resources
More Example Designs

10 Terrace Homes 16 Apartments

Mixed Housing Suburban Zone Mixed Housing Urban Zone
20m Wide Site 18m Wide Site

38 Apartments 14 Terrace Homes

Terraced Housing & Apartment Buildings Zone Mixed Housing Urban Zone
35m Wide Site 34.5m Wide Site

aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/example-designs
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Design Guides

Unitary Plan Design Elements Building Design Guides

Front Yard
Stand-Alone Homes
Fencing & Walls
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/stand-alone
Garages
Passive Surveillance
Terrace Homes
Visual Privacy
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/terrace
Unit Layout & Room Size
Waste Storage & Services
Apartment Buildings
Site Amenities
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/apartment
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/design-elements
Mixed Use Buildings
aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/mixed-use

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