Apartments is bigger always better

Apartments: is bigger always better?Micro apartments are under the spotlight, with governments in NSW and Victoria looking to tighten regulations on apartment sizes and promote innovative design in new developments.Victoria’s Planning Minister Richard Wynne has released a discussion paper seeking feedback on how to address concerns about poorly designed apartments.New rules may guide access to daylight, ventilation, noise, accessibility, as well as unit size.The Minister has said that good design has to be “at the core of this, as does affordability.”The Property Council agrees, with Victorian executive director Jennifer Cunich arguing that it’s not the size, but the quality of the design that matters. “With clever, innovative architects working with builders, sqm can be a good quality, liveable space for people who don’t require a larger apartment – singles, couples without children, students,” she says.The Property Council argues that housing affordability is at stake, with an increase of even 5 sqm potentially adding $45,000 to the price of an apartment.Meanwhile, in New South Wales Planning Minister Rob Stokes is expected to confirm minimum sizes of 35 sqm for studios, sqm for one-bedroom apartments and 70 sqm for two-bedroom apartments when he publishes a review of the planning guidelines at the end of the month.A spokesperson for Minister Stokes has said that the move will “provide certainty for the community and industry, and is consistent with approaches in other global cities like London, New York and Auckland.”Property Council NSW executive director Glenn Byres has welcomed the announcement, saying “we’re very pleased to see clarity.”