In the midst of a housing crisis, it’s easy to get lost in thinking all density is a good outcome. As architects, we think it’s important to articulate the value of good density in ensuring the quality and liveability of our city, and the impact a well-designed place can have on people’s health and wellbeing.

Shaping apartment design policy

At Six Degrees, Senior Associate Tim Rodgers has been busy putting this idea to work. For over a year he has been leading the testing and review of design regulation for the Department of Transport and Planning, including the Mid-Rise Apartment Code.

The Mid-Rise Apartment Code is a significant reform that introduces clearer rules, better design standards and a faster approvals for 4-6 storey apartment developments. Six Degrees worked closely with the Department of Transport and Planning to develop and test the Code, including testing of 75 development scenarios, as well as material that helped to communicate the built form intent.

In support of the Code, Six Degrees assisted DTP to develop the Mid-Rise Guidelines and the Mid-Rise Design Guide. These are both practical tools that support planners, urban designers, architects, and developers in delivering high-quality apartment developments.

This work arose out of Six Degrees' established track record of designing award-winning apartment buildings that work for people and place, and our unique expertise in developing and testing housing policy. Our involvement ensured that the Code supports functional, attractive, and liveable homes in middle ring contexts and activity centre catchments. While also being underpinned by Six Degrees' expertise in feasibilities, efficient construction, and innovations in the apartment sector. Six Degrees values the broad social benefits that come from urban densification, and we are excited by the impact of these reforms.

Advocacy in industry

Alongside our project work, Six Degrees Director James Legge serves as co-chair of the AIA Victoria Housing Committee. The Housing Committee has been advocating to government, industry, and the broader public about the value of medium-density housing through their Density Done Well program, which included public exhibitions, presentations, and an editorial feature in Architect Victoria.

The Housing Committee has prepared case studies of exemplar housing projects to showcase the breadth of possibilities for great design-led outcomes, available to view online. The case studies were exhibited earlier this year at Parliament House as part of Melbourne Design Week, and Hawthorn Arts Centre as part of Open House Melbourne.

Density Done Well exhibition at Hawthorn Arts Centre. Photography: Gosia Sum

Building upon the success of the exhibitions, James – alongside Sarah Buckeridge from Hayball – co-edited the first half of Architect Victoria’s latest edition. This edition unpacks the economic and policy landscape around housing, and contextualises the role architects play in delivering great outcomes amongst urban economics, taxation policy, planning, and urban design frameworks. It includes contributions from Dr. Marcus Spiller, Prof. Miranda Stewart, Leanne Hodyl, and Andy Fergus. Click here to read it.