Bluefield Housing

urban infill housing research by Damian Madigan

Raising the Bar on Residential Infill

Contract research for the South Australian State Planning Commission, interpreting, testing and communicating new state-wide residential infill housing policy.
A three dimensional image of urban infill housing undertaken by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government as part of its "Raising the Bar on Residential Infill" project. It shows two semi-detached infill houses viewed from the street. Each has a reduced driveway width, reduced car parking, clearly identifiable front doors, and landscaped front gardens.

Raising the Bar on Residential infill is a contract design research project undertaken with the South Australian State Planning Commission, the SA State Government Architect at the Office for Design and Architecture SA, and the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

The project interprets, tests, and demonstrates the key policy measures in South Australia’s state-wide Planning and Design Code, assessing their ability to deliver improved infill housing options for the suburbs. Tree Canopies and Landscaping, Stormwater Management, Carparking and Garaging, and Street Appeal and Facade are explored as key policy aspects.

The work involves graphically communicating policy requirements and their desired outcomes to a broad audience that includes policy makers, planners, architects, designers, the building industry and the general public. It requires a mix of diagrams and visualisations that succinctly and clearly demonstrate the ambitions of housing policy, which can often present as impenetrable to the end user.

A photograph of the South Australian State Government's "Raising the Bar on Residential Infill" report, illustrated by Damian Madigan.
A three dimensional diagram of urban infill landscaping requirements by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government for its "Raising the Bar on Residential Infill" project. The four examples describe the minimum permissible soft ground cover and tree planting.
A three dimensional diagram of urban infill landscaping requirements by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government. The diagram describes the minimum permissible soft ground cover for front and rear yards.
A three dimensional diagram of urban infill landscaping requirements by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government. The diagram describes the required relationship between a living space and private garden space.
A three dimensional diagram of urban infill front facade requirements by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government. The diagram describes the way in which front doors must be visible from the street.
A three dimensional diagram of urban infill water retention requirements by Damian Madigan for the South Australian State Government. The diagram describes how water is to be retained in tanks for reuse in the house.
Download the Discussion Paper

Recommended citation for images:
Madigan, Damian. “Raising the Bar on Residential Infill Design Research Project.” Adelaide: University of South Australia, 2020.