Ever driven past a corner block house and wondered how it just seems to demand a little more presence? With two street frontages, these blocks are typically light-filled and present amazing flexibility for creative designs. They’re a bit of a novelty, but they also have their own rulebook.
Getting the design correct upfront is the secret to releasing all of their potential. This isn’t engineering heavy. Rather, consider this a practical handbook for developers and homebuyers.
We will guide you through the key initial steps in planning, see how to make the most of those special benefits, and provide intelligent advice on designing a home that’s pretty and practical.
Know the rules first: planning, setbacks and complying development
You should do your homework before you even draw your first floor plan or fall under the spell of a pretty design. Each corner block is subject to its own set of state and council regulations that outline what you can and cannot build, and where you can and can’t build it. Disregarding them is an expensive recipe for delay.
Corner lots are treated differently because they impact two streets. This usually means you’ll have two separate setback requirements: a primary setback for the main street and a different, often smaller, one for the secondary street.These rules are laid out in your local council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) and Local Environmental Plan (LEP).
In jurisdictions such as NSW, you may even be able to utilize a quicker approval route called Complying Development (CDC), which has its own stringent requirements for items such as dual occupancies.
Your handy checklist for starting out:
- Visit your council’s website: Search for the DCP and LEP that apply to your property.
- Know your zoning: Does it allow for what you’re trying to build (e.g., a dual occupancy or a granny flat)?
- Speak to an expert early: A brief discussion with a town planner or building certifier can sort out your choices and save you headaches down the track.
Design advantages to exploit (light, views, multiple frontages)
Once you have the rules worked out, the good times start. Corner blocks have some great design benefits that usual lots just can’t compete with. The best one? Sunlight.
Having two sides facing the street, you have a great chance to maximize solar access. As the Australian Your Home guide suggests, good orientation can help lower your energy costs considerably.
A corner block allows you to orient your main living spaces north, taking in that wonderful winter sun while employing some smart shading to keep out the fiercer summer sun. And it provides opportunities for wonderful cross-ventilation, allowing you to catch winds coming from more than one direction.
The double frontage is also a big advantage for access. You might have a formal entrance on one street and an informal, every-day entrance by the garage on the other. Or, if zoning allows, it’s the ideal arrangement for a house with a separate tenancy, so both residents get their own private access.
Smart layout tactics for corner blocks
So how do you translate these advantages into a functional floor plan? It comes down to zoning your home intelligently to manage privacy, noise, and circulation. The key is to create open and connected spaces to the outdoors without exposing them.
Imagine building a dwelling space with a double exposure with windows on either side to light up the space and provide an open, airy ambiance. Then you can conceal a private courtyard or garden off the more hectic main street corner, creating a peaceful outdoor haven. If one street is busier than the other, use that side for utilitarian areas like the garage, laundry, or storage to act as a buffer from the noise.
When you are considering dual access, façade orientation and layout strategies, researching practical examples of building on a corner block will help you visualise solutions that maximise light, privacy and street appeal. Many clever designs for corner lots use these exact strategies to great effect.
Facade, privacy and street appeal: two-frontage thinking
One of the pitfalls of corner block houses is creating a stunning main façade but neglecting the secondary street elevation. Your house should not have a “good side” and a “back side” but rather a look that’s pleasing from all directions. A uniform design employs similar materials and architectural terminology for both front elevations that are visible.
But what about privacy? You don’t want to feel like you are living in a fishbowl. That’s where smart design comes into play. It’s a balancing act.
You can use architectural features such as verandas, pergolas, or decorative screening to achieve enclosure without obscuring light. Landscaping is also your friend here. A well-planted hedge or a low wall can give a surprising level of privacy near the ground level and still keep open sightlines and a relationship with the street.
Practical next steps: approvals, builder selection and BASIX considerations
Ready to proceed? Taking a systematic approach will smooth the process. The following are the reasonable next steps:
- Commission a Site Survey: Obtain a thorough survey of your block by a registered surveyor. This is not optional and is the foundation of all design and planning work.
- Create a Concept: Collaborate with a designer or architect to draw up an initial concept that addresses the site’s opportunities and limitations. Effective design is crucial to optimising a highly visible site, as set out in such guides as the NSW Government Architect’s Good Design for Housing.
- Verify Your Approval Pathway: Determine if you’ll be lodging a full Development Application (DA) with the council or if you’re eligible for a speedier CDC.
- Don’t Forget Energy Efficiency: In NSW, you’ll be required to comply with BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) standards. Your corner block’s high solar access potential can set you up well for success here.
If you speak with builders, ask them whether they have experience with corner blocks. They’ll be aware of the logistical issues, such as coordinating traffic and material on two fronts.
Conclusion
Corner blocks are full of promise, with improved light, increased design flexibility, and great street appeal. The trick is to begin with a good grasp of the rules and a smart design that works with the site’s strengths.
By thinking ahead from the beginning, you can make that high-visibility spot your property’s best asset. The ideal first step? A friendly conversation with a design expert to see what’s achievable.
