The sheer variety of people and households in New Zealand—and in any country, for that matter—is mind-boggling. And the nation is only getting more diverse, as different lifestyle options become more mainstream and accepted. People live in different combinations and groupings of family and friends; some prefer low-maintenance urban living while others like a bit of green space. Jobs are changing, and the way people seek enjoyment in their homes and surroundings is hugely variable.
A three-bedroom house on a quarter-acre section is no longer the gold standard for home buyers everywhere. And as houses have become almost unattainably expensive for some, the millennial generation has become more open to different types of living—it’s a matter of both preference and necessity.
Modern housing needs to cover a huge range of households and situations: single people, young professionals, flatmates, nuclear families, blended families, multigenerational families, and many other combinations of people. Some groups like to live as close as possible to their jobs or to the action of a big city, while others prefer a bit of space. Green-thumbed potential home owners may want their own patch of dirt, while many people are happy to live in a low-maintenance apartment with no garden to care for. Tiny homes are becoming a phenomenon, and a lot of people prefer a smaller space for simpler living. The key is options; a development that offers all the different types of homes that different people and families need will sell well and serve the community well.
What it comes down to is that housing needs are hugely variable. And to build a housing development that will sell well and serve the community in which it is located, it is important to include housing that suits the array of needs and preferences. A sea of identical three-bedroom houses won’t serve a diverse community and meet the needs of different households. Not only that, but it won’t necessarily make the best use of the landscape—variation in builds allows the developer to better fit the development to the unique location. After all, no two sites will ever be the same!
At ASAP Plans, we are well aware that planning a subdivision or development involves more than just picking a few plans and slapping them together. Our plans are put together by Expert Architectural Designers, and we can work with any client to combine them in a way that will suit their individual project. We have worked extensively with local councils and are experienced in helping to design housing developments that work for the demographic and the geography of a site. We can also guide clients in ensuring that their plans fit within council requirements, so that they receive the necessary consents.
Being able to pick from and put together a wide selection of plans for individual homes is the best way to design a development efficiently and affordable, while still meeting the needs of a diverse community. There are so many possibilities, and choosing from a vast collection of unique housing plans makes it a lot easier to design your ideal subdivision.
ASAP Plans can provide the housing plans you need to create a development that works. Using multi-unit housing to make the most of your space is one option, as we’ve written about recently. A diverse population is one that looks for more out of their housing options. ASAP Plans can provide advice on choosing the right combination of plans to suit the financial and lifestyle needs of your target demographic, while maximising the space you’re building on. Take a look at our plans today!