Sept 17, 2010 - PropertyGuru.com.sg
A pilot project of modified guidelines aimed at allowing more creative designs for landed homes is being conducted by the URA.
The URA will apply the guidelines on nine landed housing plots that will be auctioned in October under the Phase 3 of Sembawang Greenvale.
The guidelines eliminate some of the existing “micro controls” including attic profile, basement protrusions and floor-to-floor height. Instead, it will control the total bulk of the house or the envelop.
Under the envelop control approach, the total height limit of a three-storey house is, however, lower than under the old guidelines.
According to Singapore’s planning authority, the new approach will provide architects with more freedom to propose different designs and layouts provided that the proposal is compatible with surrounding three-storey houses.
Mok Wei Wei, managing director of W Architects, welcomed the new method, saying: ”It takes care of the big picture by controlling the envelop; in other words, the building shouldn't be bigger than what it should be. But within that, it relaxes some of the earlier controls like the maximum storey height. Under existing guidelines, the first storey has a maximum height of 4.5 metres, and the second and third storeys, 3.6 metres each.”
“But now this maximum storey height control is removed. So it means you have a freer volumetric play of the space, while still allowing you to achieve the same overall built-up area as before. That's the greatest advantage.”
The minimum habitable standard is also not sacrificed since there is still a control of minimum storey height, said Mr. Mok.
If the pilot project at Sembawang Greenvale becomes successful, the URA may consider expanding the envelop control approach to landed housing developments in other places or types of works, said a spokeswoman for URA.
This envelop control approach was a result of feedback during the Focus Group consultation exercise of URA on landed housing in late 2007.
