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From: vmchang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Veda Chang)
Newsgroups: alt.architecture,alt.planning.urban
Subject: Light & Privacy in Medium Density Housing
Date: 5 Sep 1993 14:09:12 +1000
Organization: University of Melbourne
Lines: 45
Message-ID: <26bop8INNl4s@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au
Summary: Opinions sought about Medium Density Housing
Keywords: Shadowing, privacy, medium density housing
Xref: news.cac.psu.edu alt.architecture:378 alt.planning.urban:490
Consider the following scenario:
A single fronted terrace house facing south in a row of five terrace
houses is to be renovated with a double storey extension at the back.
The extension rises 6.8 metres from ground level, and includes a
balcony area which has a wooden screen .
The house is located in an inner city conservation zone - The houses are
predominantly Victorian.
The effect of the extension is to cause overlooking and overshadowing
on the adjacent neighbours. There are various arguments against the
proposal. However, the main concerns the neighbours have is that the
double storey extension will cause significant overshadowing and
overlooking.
All the renovations to the row of five terrace houses have to date been
single storey in nature, and allowing this particular double storey
extension would encourage adjacent properties to build in a similar
manner because of the loss of privacy and overshadowing which
would occur with a simple single storey extension to their properties.
The council's main argument in supporting the proposed double-storey
extension is that:
1. The overshadowing is not significant. (Although they have not
provided an accurate shadow diagram).
2. If one lives in medium density housing one should be prepared to
tolerate a degree of overlooking.
I would very much appreciate opinions on the following:
In the case of building new houses or renovations in a medium
density housing area,
1. What degree of overshadowing - additional/total - to the
neighbours should be acceptable?
2. What degree of overlooking should be accepted by the
neighbours?
I am not only interested in local government codes, but opinions about
the (philosophical) basis for arriving at these arbitrary codes.
Thanks very much in anticipation.
vmchang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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From: vmchang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Veda Chang)
Newsgroups: alt.architecture,alt.planning.urban
Subject: Light & Privacy in Medium Density Housing
Date: 5 Sep 1993 14:09:12 +1000
Organization: University of Melbourne
Lines: 45
Message-ID: <26bop8INNl4s@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au
Summary: Opinions sought about Medium Density Housing
Keywords: Shadowing, privacy, medium density housing
Xref: news.cac.psu.edu alt.architecture:378 alt.planning.urban:490
Consider the following scenario:
A single fronted terrace house facing south in a row of five terrace
houses is to be renovated with a double storey extension at the back.
The extension rises 6.8 metres from ground level, and includes a
balcony area which has a wooden screen .
The house is located in an inner city conservation zone - The houses are
predominantly Victorian.
The effect of the extension is to cause overlooking and overshadowing
on the adjacent neighbours. There are various arguments against the
proposal. However, the main concerns the neighbours have is that the
double storey extension will cause significant overshadowing and
overlooking.
All the renovations to the row of five terrace houses have to date been
single storey in nature, and allowing this particular double storey
extension would encourage adjacent properties to build in a similar
manner because of the loss of privacy and overshadowing which
would occur with a simple single storey extension to their properties.
The council's main argument in supporting the proposed double-storey
extension is that:
1. The overshadowing is not significant. (Although they have not
provided an accurate shadow diagram).
2. If one lives in medium density housing one should be prepared to
tolerate a degree of overlooking.
I would very much appreciate opinions on the following:
In the case of building new houses or renovations in a medium
density housing area,
1. What degree of overshadowing - additional/total - to the
neighbours should be acceptable?
2. What degree of overlooking should be accepted by the
neighbours?
I am not only interested in local government codes, but opinions about
the (philosophical) basis for arriving at these arbitrary codes.
Thanks very much in anticipation.
vmchang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx