As architects, there are many factors we consider when designing a new apartment or townhouse development. It starts with understanding the location, the target market, what will improve the resident’s lifestyle, and how we can create a desirable product that they want to buy.
While we’re all for aesthetically pleasing design, functionality and clever planning will always create a desirable product that can sell at a premium price.
Here we outline five areas of good (and functional) design that will sell your development faster:
1. Design for lifestyle
Is the target market a young family? Perhaps they’re downsizers? Maybe a young professional couple? All these factors influence how we plan a space to best appeal to the buyer. By looking at how the layouts are configured, we can adapt the design to fit the buyer’s lifestyle. And it doesn’t stop there. We also look at the context of the area – is it on a busy road? Do they require privacy? Maybe it overlooks a parkland you want to take advantage of from each residence? All these factors influence how well a development will function and compliment the buyer’s lifestyle.
2. Connection to the outdoors
Opening to the outdoors not only brings natural light and breezes, but it makes internal spaces feel bigger and encourages flow between different areas of a home. In an age where people are seeking connection, opening to the outdoors also creates a space that connects with the context of the neighbourhood. Extending living areas to the outdoors via a terrace, balcony or courtyard not only gives versatility of spaces, but it also enables cross flow ventilation and limits the need for air conditioning. Research shows that spending time outside benefits our emotional wellbeing, as well as health and social advantages too.
3. Outlook and orientation
“I love how this space has no windows!” – said nobody ever.
Most people would agree that a space which has natural light and a pleasing outlook is far more liveable than one without. Orienting a development towards the natural flow of breezes and movement of the sun is a simple and effective way to create a highly liveable (and in demand) development. Finding all that is good about a site and maximising these elements in the design will create the outlooks buyers crave.
Remember: if the outlook is of a brick wall, buyers will go elsewhere – no matter how good the interior finishes look.
4. Clever space planning
Making spaces function easily and effectively will always maximise liveability. Home is becoming the main hub for day-to-day living – it’s where people work, where they live as a family, where they entertain, where they retreat. Everyone wants a beautiful space, but that doesn’t mean practicality needs to be sacrificed. In fact, clever space planning that considers the flow of everyday life and minimises ‘dead space’ provides considered storage solutions and a floor plan that just works.
5. Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a buzz word. It’s now something consumers are adopting and expecting in every aspect of their lives – including where and how they live. Architects have long been using sustainability practices in how they design housing, however it’s becoming ever more important for buyers that they see how these sustainable measures impact them individually. Homebuyers want, and will pay more for, features that are more sustainable such as energy efficiency, better air quality, sustainably sourced materials, rainwater collection and more.
