12 January 2009

ZONE HOMES: Housing the Big Issue for 2009

ZONE HOMES with two independent living areas are set to become a major trend as Australia faces major housing challenges in the next decade.

Angus Kell

Archicentre's ACT & NSW State Manager Angus Kell said Australia is faced with a dramatic social crisis that will see the basic need of shelter out of reach for many working families, and many of those who have purchased homes losing them due to worsening economic conditions. "By designing the ZONE HOME with two separate entries and facilities for cooking, laundry and bathroom areas, plus private outdoor spaces, a new home buyer can build in a rental return to help pay for the new home, which in the future can be expanded at a later time into a full size home by a simple renovation that joins both ZONES. "The concept of the Zone Home is a practical way of providing a flexible housing design solution which would be extremely attractive in the current financial turmoil, provide an option for baby boomers who wanted to downsize without leaving their home, and for parents wanting to give their children the chance to get a toe hold in the housing market. "It is also major environmental strategy as the concept of the ZONE HOME provides for a maximum use of resources such as land and existing infrastructure.

"The flexibility of the ZONE HOME and the current housing affordability crisis will drive this concept which will become part of Australia housing sustainability and social trends."

The recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey revealing that just under half the adults aged 18 to 28 have never left home mainly because they can't afford to reveals the depth of the housing affordability and rental crisis and a ZONE HOME policy would make it easy for people to ZONE OFF and rent areas of their homes in the future, Mr Kell said.

Archicentre through its design report area has seen an increasing trend in people zoning their homes to provide both parents and children with some space for independent living.

"The Zone Home is an extension of the Granny Flat concept which has been accepted widely in Australia; however the accommodation is under the one roof.

"The ZONE HOME concept could attract encouragement by Government with the development of special planning provisions, establishment of contracts that people can use to set up arrangements with family and friends to enable large existing housing stock to be utilised."

Mr. Kell said in the future the Zone Home concept could also attract Government attention providing the opportunity for tax breaks to encourage people to build flats and apartments to increase the rental market as an added option to the traditional provision of rental housing.

"The ZONE HOME concept is also a way of increasing density of populations without dramatically changing the visual appearances of many of Australia's heritage suburbs with high rise units in established single or double storey neighbourhoods."

Mr.Kell said the concept of ZONE HOMES would not only appeal to the young people buying their home but also people whose children lived at home longer or who wished to have an additional income as they aged.

"Whilst the ZONE HOME concept may not suit everyone, for those people wanting to break into the housing market it could become an increasing option.

"It should be noted ZONE HOMES are a different concept to duplex constructions which consist of two separate homes built on two blocks with an adjoining wall - the ZONE Home is designed in such way it can become through a simple design adjustment two separate self contained areas or one big home," Mr Kell added.

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
Angus Kell ACT & NSW State Manager Archicentre (02) 9555 5111 Mobile: 0412 565 023
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201