APARTMENT BUILDING APPROVALS ON THE RISE AS SECTOR POWERS INTO 2023
Individual borrowers may be feeling the heat in Australia but the multi-res market is shaping up for a busy year
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Approvals for apartment construction are responsible for an 18.5 percent increase in the total number of dwellings getting the green light during December, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.
In data released today, the figures are in contrast to the previous month where building approvals declined by 8.8 percent over November 2022.
“The increase in the total number of dwellings approved in December was led by a sharp rise in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses (+56.6 per cent),” said Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics. “The result was driven by a number of large apartment developments approved in New South Wales and Victoria.
“Approvals for private sector houses continued to track downwards, falling by 2.3 per cent.”
Private sector dwellings excluding houses includes semi detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses and apartments.
New South Wales saw the strongest increase, up 48.4 percent, followed by Victoria (up 20.7 percent), Queensland (up 8.3 percent) and Western Australia (up 6.4 percent). Tasmania and South Australia both recorded significant decreases, with overall approvals falling -49.7 percent and -24.6 percent respectively.
The strong performance in the apartment sector compared with private sector housing points to growing pressure on individual mortgage holders following a 3 percent rise in interest rates over 2022. The results for private sector housing were mixed, with some states recording rises, such as Western Australia (up 8.2 percent), Victoria (up 0.3 percent) and Queensland (up 0.2 percent) while others such as South Australia and New South Wales experiencing a drop, with approvals down -7.4 percent and -4.2 percent respectively.
Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
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Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
2 minAustralia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.
The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.
Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.
Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.
The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.
The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.
“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.
“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”
Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.
The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.
According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.
Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.
The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.
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