Perform search

                    New buildings

                    Illustration representing a new building
                    Understand heritage policy as it relates to new buildings.

                    ​​New buildings in a heritage precinct

                    It is policy that:

                    It is policy to ensure new buildings:

                    • Are in keeping with ‘key attributes’ of the heritage precinct as identified in the precinct Statement of Significance and:
                    • Are in keeping with key attributes of the heritage precinct such as:​
                      • Building height, massing and form; style and architectural expression; details; materials; front and side setbacks; and orientation and fencing; prevailing streetscape height and scale.

                    Figure 13: New buildings in a heritage precinct

                    Diagram showing a new build infill among significant heritage places within a heritage precinct. The new building is in keeping with the 'key attributes' of the heritage precinct, with matching heights of the parapet, building, balcony and fence of other buildings in the precinct,
                    View larger image

                    Modern two storey terrace built next to an old two-storey terrace
                    The infill building keeps with the 'key attributes' of the heritage building to the right, including balcony height and fencing.
                    House on Bellair Street, Kensington
                    Baldasso Cortese

                    Visual domination

                    It is policy to ensure new buildings:

                    New buildings are in keeping with 'key attributes' of the heritage precinct as identified in the precinct Statement of Significance and:

                    • Do not obscure views from the street(s) and public parks of the front or principal part of adjoining significant or contributory places or buildings.
                    • Do not visually dominate or visually disrupt the appreciation of the heritage place. 
                    • Maintain a facade height which is consistent with that of adjoining significant or contributory buildings, whichever is the lesser.
                    • Set back higher building components so as not to dominate or reduce the prominence of an adjoining significant or contributory place or building.
                    • Where abutting a lane, are respectful of the scale and form of historic fabric of heritage places abutting the lane.
                    • Do not impact adversely on Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
                    • In the Capital City Zone and Docklands Zone, should be positioned in line with the prevailing building line in the street.

                    Figure 14: Visual domination

                    Diagram of new build between significant and contributory buildings. The new building's higher compnents are set back, and the facade height is consistent with the adjoining significant building style=

                    View larger image

                    Figure 15: Visual domination

                    Examples of visually dominating new buildings, where (1) the building's overall form and facade is taller than thee facade height of the adjacent significant and contributory buildings; and (2) a new building on a corner is not respectful of the scale and form of the historic fabric of heritage places abutting the lane, and it obscures view from the street and public park of the front or principal part of the adjoining significant building.
                    View larger image

                    Multi-storey infill building in Sydney CBD 
                    The infill building has a street-wall height that is consistent with that of adjoining heritage buildings.
                    Arc, Clarence Street, Sydney 
                    Koichi Takada Architects

                    Consistent facade height and setback

                    It is policy that new buildings:

                    • Adopt a façade height that is generally consistent with the prevailing heights in the street, avoiding heights that are significantly lower.
                    • Are neither positioned forward of the façade of adjoining significant or contributory heritage places or buildings or set back significantly behind the prevailing building line in the street.​

                    Figure 16: Consistent facade height and setback

                    Example of inconsistent facade height and setback, where a new building is significantly lower than the adjoining significant and contributory buildings, and set back behind the streetscape precinct's building line.
                    View larger image

                    A high-rise modern building set back from the street behind a two-storey heritage buildings
                    Within the CCZ, the new building is sufficiently set back to allow the heritage building to retain  prominence in the streetscape.
                    Urban Workshop, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
                    John Wardle Architects

                    Air space of significant or contributory buildings

                    It is policy that new buildings:

                    • Do not build over or extend into the air space directly above the front or principal part of an adjoining significant or contributory building or heritage place.

                    Figure 17: Air space of significant or contributory buildings

                    Examples of new buildings showing one building that does and one building that doesn't extend into the airspace of front or principal part of a heritage building
                    View larger image

                    Outside of the CCZ: New buildings in a significant streetscape

                    Ensure:

                    • In significant streetscapes, higher rear parts of a new building should be concealed.
                    Concealed
                    Concealed means cannot be seen from a street (other than a lane, unless the lane has heritage value) or public park.

                    Figure 18: New buildings outside of the CCZ in a significant streetscape

                    Diagram illustrating examples of how, in significant streetscapes, the higher rear part of a new building can be visible from the street, and how it should be fully concealed.
                    View larger image

                    Outside of the CCZ: New buildings in other streetscapes

                    ​​Ensure:

                    • In other streetscapes, higher rear parts of a new building should be partly concealed. Some of the higher rear part may be visible, provided it does not dominate or reduce the prominence of the building(s) and the streetscape.​

                    Partly concealed
                    Partly concealed means that some of the addition or higher rear part may be visible provided it does not visually dominate or reduce the prominence of the existing building's facade(s) in the street.

                    Figure 19: New buildings outside of the CCZ in other streetscapes

                    Diagram illustrating examples of how, in other streetscapes, the higher rear part of a new building should be partially concealed.
                    View larger image

                    ​Back view of a new residential building in heritage with brick facade facing the street

                    The new building adopts high quality and respectful contextual design, as well as an interpretive approach to detail within a heritage context.
                    North Melbourne house
                    Design team: NMBW Architecture Studio
                    Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

                    Design guidelines

                    Ensure additions:

                    • Adopt high quality and respectful contextual design.
                    • Adopt an interpretive design approach to other details such as verandahs, fences and shopfronts.

                    < Previous: Additions | Next: Restoration and reconstruction >
                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.