Service areas Print

Design Outcome


​​​​​​​​​​Design Checklist

  1. Service facilities are considered and included as an integral component of a mixed use development
  2. Service areas do not detract from the onsite and offsite amenity of the development


Overview


The successful integration of service areas into a development is important for both efficient day-to-day servicing, as well as avoiding any detraction to visual appearances or occupant amenity. Elements to consider may include: waste storage, recycling, composting, collections by service vehicles, letterboxes, remote storage facilities, vehicle cleaning facilities for residential occupants, electrical vehicle charging facilities and facilities for water & electricity meter reading.​​​​​​​

Better Design Practice

Essential services that should be provided on site for commercial and residential occupants include:
  • ​Rubbish and recycling storage and collection.
  • Secure, easily accessible letterboxes.
  • Loading bays or drop-off points for supplies and deliveries (including courier deliveries) to all uses within the development.
  • Electric vehicle charging points.
  • Outdoor clothes drying lines (if residential uses are included in the development).
​Letterboxes and waste collection points should be placed in areas that are convenient to occupants and accessible to external contractors who service the development. Thoughtful design of the details in these areas is important to ensure occupants’ amenity. 

Rubbish collections should occur on a frequent basis, appropriate to the needs of the development. Larger developments may require small, local areas for rubbish and recycling storage and collection as well as larger, communal areas. Where a basement space is used for rubbish storage and collection, the building manager and occupants should take special care to ensure that the area is kept clean and orderly.​​

Consider development servicing issues.

Efficient, comprehensive servicing of a mixed use development ensures both its effective functioning and the comfort of its occupants. Service issues should therefore be considered in the early design stages of a project.​

Design service areas to provide easy access for service contractors, rubbish and recycling trucks, and other large vehicles.

Consider the efficiency of access, parking and turning requirements, and potential noise issues upon residents​ from service vehicles.​​​

Ensure that service areas do not detract from the development’s visual appeal.

Consider the visual appearance of storage areas, as well as occupants’ outlook and views of storage areas from the public realm. Any service area that cannot be located out of sight should be sufficiently screened so as not to detract from amenity. Also consider providing separated accesses to storage areas and including provisions for keeping them clean and tidy.​

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