Local Distinctiveness

Designing high quality buildings requires good skills, especially because proposals need to respond to their setting to be in keeping with the local distinctiveness of their area. This sketch illustrates an example of how 10 main characteristics of locally distinctive features can be identified; responding to these should help making good design decisions.

10 main characteristics of locally distinctiveness:

1. Relationship between buildings (and with open spaces and gaps)

2. Façade treatment, materials, colours and textures

3. Building lines, set-backs and projections

4. Proportions and composition (position and size of openings, details, etc.)

5. Plot and front garden size

6. Type of layout of buildings

7. Common details and architectural form (e.g. shape and pitch of roof, type of dormer windows, etc.)

8. Architectural style and local building traditions

9. Existing natural features

10. Boundary treatment, front garden walls and gates