Balancing style and substance with residential designs

The UK has been plagued by a housing crisis for a number of years. There are several reasons for this including a lack of space, demand outstripping supply, issues with finance and opposition to housing projects. The final problem is a major one and has led to countless projects failing to achieve planning permission and being cancelled. Many things can produce a public outcry against a project, including the design, the impact on the skyline or environmental factors. It is clear that modern designs need to take public opinion into account if they want to obtain support.As a result of the opposition to many modern projects the housing design advisory panel has created a new twenty page document filled with design tips and guidelines. The aim of the guide is to advise architects and help them to ensure the buildings they design are more aesthetically pleasing. It was hoped that it would shape the future of residential architecture in London and beyond, leading to better looking properties that won't meet as much opposition.The downside of the house design document is that it contains no information about the size of properties and how they feel to live in. Important details like layout, ceiling heights and standards for sizing are all missing. The focus of the guidance is largely on the exterior of properties. This has led to a great deal of criticism for the document.The true solution to reducing opposition to building projects is to provide aesthetically pleasing properties that are pleasant to live in. It needs to be a very careful balance and take both the exterior and interior into consideration. The design should enhance the area rather than detracting from it but not to the detriment of the inhabitants. Architects should always keep in mind that properties can only be successful if people actually want to spend time in them.Residential architecture in London is a hotly contested topic but there are many successful projects to call on that show the success you can achieve when considering both the interior and exterior. It is clear new guidance for property designs is needed but it must be well thought out and consider both the style and substance of properties rather than one over the other.