Private Open Space and Balconies
Private open spaces are outdoor spaces of the apartment, including balconies, courtyards and terraces, which enhance the amenity and indoor/outdoor lifestyle of residents. They capitalise on New South Wales' temperate climate, providing an area for external activities and an extension of living spaces.
Balconies that are safe and appropriately designed can provide space for children to play outdoors, and the opportunity for pet ownership.
Private open spaces are also important architectural elements on the outside of an apartment building, contributing to the form and articulation of the building with fences, balustrades and screens.
Balconies, courtyards and terraces enhance the amenity and indoor/outdoor lifestyle of residents
Apartments provide appropriately sized private open space and balconies to enhance residential amenity.
Design Criteria
1.All apartments are required to have primary balconies as follows:
The minimum balcony depth to be counted as contributing to the balcony area is 1m
2.For apartments at ground level or on a podium or similar structure, a private open space is provided instead of a balcony. It must have a minimum area of 15m2 and a minimum depth of 3m
Design Guidance
Increased communal open space should be provided where the number or size of balconies are reduced
Storage areas on balconies is additional to the minimum balcony size.
Balcony use may be limited in some proposals by:
• consistently high wind speeds at 10 storeys and above
• close proximity to road, rail or other noise sources
• exposure to significant levels of aircraft noise
• heritage and adaptive reuse of existing buildings
In these situations, juliet balconies, operable walls, enclosed wintergardens or bay windows may be appropriate, and other amenity benefits for occupants should also be provided in the apartments or in the development or both. Natural ventilation also needs to be demonstrated
Diagrams illustrating minimum balcony depth and options for noise treatment
Minimum balcony depths ensure that the balcony area is useable and can be easily accessed
Private open space and balcony design is integrated into and contributes to the overall architectural form and detail of the building.
Building layout should maximise balcony use by allowing access from the main living area and a bedroom (where possible). Secondary balconies provide further amenity to apartment living and are best accessed off kitchens and laundries
Private open space and balcony design maximises safety.
Primary balconies provide outdoor living, articulate the building facade and contribute to the safety of the public domain through increased surveillance opportunities
Design Guidance
Primary open space and balconies should be located adjacent to the living room, dining room or kitchen to extend the living space.
Private open spaces and balconies predominantly face north, east or west.
Primary open space and balconies should be orientated with the longer side facing outwards or be open to the sky to optimise daylight access into adjacent rooms.
For one and two bedroom apartments, balconies should be at least 2m deep to allow enough space for a small table
Balconies should be designed to be safe outdoor spaces for children
Partially solid fences and balustrades allow views and passive surveillance of the street while maintaining visual privacy to ground level apartments
A combination of solid and transparent materials balances the need for privacy with surveillance of the public domain
Viewed from the inside, screening increases privacy and allows for storage and external clothes drying
Setting the balustrade back from the building edge allows for landscaping towards the street for increased privacy
Design Guidance
Solid, partially solid or transparent fences and balustrades are selected to respond to the location. They are designed to allow views and passive surveillance of the street while maintaining visual privacy and allowing for a range of uses on the balcony. Solid and partially solid balustrades are preferred.
Full width full height glass balustrades alone are generally not desirable.
Projecting balconies should be integrated into the building design and the design of soffits considered.
Operable screens, shutters, hoods and pergolas are used to control sunlight and wind.
Balustrades are set back from the building or balcony edge where overlooking or safety is an issue.
Downpipes and balcony drainage are integrated with the overall facade and building design.
Air-conditioning units should be located on roofs, in basements, or fully integrated into the building design.
Where clothes drying, storage or air conditioning units are located on balconies, they should be screened and integrated in the building design.
Ceilings of apartments below terraces should be insulated to avoid heat loss.
Water and gas outlets should be provided for primary balconies and private open space.
Soffits and undersides of balconies should be well detailed as
they are visible from the street
Design Guidance
Changes in ground levels or landscaping are minimised.
Design and detailing of balconies avoids opportunities for climbing and falls.
Part 4 Designing The Building
Amenity
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