Public Domain Interface

The public domain interface is the transition area between the apartment building, its private or communal space at the street edge and the public domain. The interface of the development contributes to the quality and character of the street. Subtle variations through planting and fencing can create an attractive and active public domain with a pedestrian scale. Long, high blank walls or fences can detract from the appearance of the public domain and impact on the safety of pedestrians and residents. Direct access from the street to ground floor apartments and windows overlooking the street can improve safety and social interaction.

Diagrams illustrating various public domain interface scenarios,

Transition between private and public domain is achieved without compromising safety and security.

Key components to consider when designing the interface include entries, private terraces or balconies, fences and walls, changes in level, services locations and planting. The design of these elements can influence the real or perceived safety and security of residents, opportunities for social interaction and the identity of the development when viewed from the public domain.

See also sections 3G Pedestrian access and entries,3H Vehicle access and 4S Mixed use.

Design Guidance

Terraces, balconies and courtyard apartments should have direct street entry, where appropriate.

Changes in level between private terraces, front gardens and dwelling entries above the street level provide surveillance and improve visual privacy for ground level dwellings.

Upper level balconies and windows should overlook the public domain.

Front fences and walls along street frontages should use visually permeable materials and treatments. The height of solid fences or walls should be limited to 1m.

Length of solid walls should be limited along street frontages.

Opportunities should be provided for casual interaction between residents and the public domain. Design solutions may include seating at building entries, near letter boxes and in private courtyards adjacent to streets.

In developments with multiple buildings and/or entries, pedestrian entries and spaces associated with individual buildings/entries should be differentiated to improve legibility for residents, using a number of the following design solutions:

•  architectural detailing

•  changes in materials

•  plant species

•  colours

Opportunities for people to be concealed should be minimised.

This courtyard design locates tree planting along the pedestrian pathway, allowing for natural ventilation and daylight access to the adjacent underground car parking below, and visual screening of the car park

Planting can be used to soften the edges of raised terraces to the street

Front fences along public street frontages should use visually permeable materials and treatments such as timber slats 

Amenity of the public domain is retained and enhanced.

Design Guidance

Planting softens the edges of any raised terraces to the street, for example above sub-basement car parking.

Mail boxes should be located in lobbies, perpendicular to the street alignment or integrated into front fences where individual street entries are provided.

The visual prominence of underground car park vents should be minimised and located at a low level where possible.

Substations, pump rooms, garbage storage areas and other service requirements should be located in basement car parks or out of view.

Ramping for accessibility should be minimised by building entry location and setting ground floor levels in relation to footpath levels.

Durable, graffiti resistant and easily cleanable materials should be used.

Where development adjoins public parks, open space or bushland, the design positively addresses this interface and uses a number of the following design solutions:

• street access, pedestrian paths and building entries which are clearly defined

• paths, low fences and planting that clearly delineate between communal/private open space and the adjoining public open space

• minimal use of blank walls, fences and ground level parking

On sloping sites protrusion of car parking above ground level should be minimised by using split levels to step underground car parking.

Part 3 Siting The Development

• Communal And Public Open Space
• Deep Soil Zones
• Visual Privacy
• Pedestrian Access And Entries
• Vehicle Access
• Bicycle And Car Parking