The Chasm Between Affordable Housing and Architectural Excellence

The chasm between affordable housing and architecturally designed homes has long been a pressing issue in Australia. While affordable housing often neglects basic design principles, architecturally designed homes tend to overlook affordability. This leaves the average Australian family in a precarious position. How can we reconcile these two extremes to create a harmonious middle ground?

For many families, a home represents their life's savings and their most significant investment. For average-income earners, the proportion of their wealth dedicated to a new family home is often greater than that of high-income earners investing in architecturally designed homes. Given this disparity, could there be more emphasis on applying architectural principles to volume housing?

The Ascot - Architecturally Designed by Hall & Hart

A common pitfall in the housing market is the repeated use of a single design or floor plan across various sites. Frequently, I see families choosing a house design suited to a north-to-rear block and placing it on a south-to-rear block. The outcomes of this include less natural light, coldness, potential dampness, dark outdoor spaces, and impractical voids that fail to capture sunlight. Rooms may overheat or remain too cold. Despite these issues, such mismatched designs are common in the quest for affordable housing.

Smart design, even on a modest budget, would greatly enhance the liveability of cost-effective homes in Sydney. However, architects are often perceived as prioritising high-end trophy homes. But this isn’t the case, the reality is that the commercial costs associated with engaging an architect make their services unattainable for the average family. And this is the architect's right, after all. They have honed their craft and developed skills through years of dedication. Architects are not a public service.

The Ascot - Architecturally Designed by Hall & Hart

This situation, however, highlights a significant gap in the current property market: while well-funded, architecturally designed homes are likely to hold or increase their value, entry-level to middle-tier homes often face the opposite fate. The challenge, then, lies with the market to change the perception of what constitutes true value.

As a design and construct company, it’s hard to be critical; we’re all trying to meet market demands. The market perceives that larger houses with more rooms yield better returns. However, instead of prioritising size over thoughtful design, can the market redefine value as thoughtful design over size?

One solution is education. We recommend two excellent podcasts: Undercover Architect and BuildHer Collective. Both provide in-depth knowledge of construction, town planning, and practical design, empowering future homeowners to make informed decisions.

The Ascot - Architecturally Designed by Hall & Hart

In the meantime, we aim to educate our clients on our core beliefs, emphasising the importance of designing for orientation and quality finishes over sheer size. Prioritising multifunctional rooms and investing in outdoor spaces instead of unnecessary indoor areas. Whenever possible, use natural and long-lasting materials. Finally, we encourage designing a home that reflects your personality, rather than trying to impress neighbours or real estate agents.

By recognising the gap between affordability and architectural excellence, we hope one day there will be an industry-wide movement that creates homes that are both affordable and well-designed. This will help ensure that the great Australian dream is within reach for all families.