With reference to their homogeneity, how can standardised housebuilding typologies be diversified within their morphological settings to enhance place character?
The conventional approach to 'new build' housing estates often prioritises economies of scale and standardisation, resulting in developments deemed homogenous (Letwin, 2018) and lacking a distinct character (Place Alliance, 2020).
This research employs urban morphology to investigate this phenomenon, building a framework to pinpoint the elements of estate design which influence patterns of character, and ultimately provide design principles for better practice.
Through a literature review, an analytical framework is built and tested on a series of case studies. Between which, methodology and findings from each are discussed with a series of experts via semi-structured interviews to refine the framework and identify where changes in the design process can be accommodated in a typical developer’s approach.
Initial findings suggests that homogeneity is a valuable design principle for creating character but is employed inappropriately in contemporary development. Furthermore, the Essex Design Guide identifies a propensity for house types originally destined for lower densities to be utilised in much higher proximities, creating ‘unsatisfactory suburbia’, which fails to properly ‘enclose’ streets. This research finds that such trend has been driven by the desire to accommodate cars within residential areas, the parking of which creates breaks in enclosure. This emphasises individualised placement of standard building types which, coupled with poor use of homogeneity, mitigates place character by presenting repeated elements as uncoordinated visual clutter.
In conclusion, this research encourages developers’ reconsideration of the application of homogeneity, and of vehicles as a driver of housing estate design – and by extension, residential living
