SITE COVERAGE

Imagine your perfect Sunshine Coast home: open, airy, full of natural light, and seamlessly connected to the outdoors. But before you start researching plans, and picking tiles, understanding site coverage is crucial to your Sunshine Coast home design. It’s understanding how much space buildings and structures occupy within your community, which can impact everything from your property value to community spirit and sustainability.

What is site coverage? 

Think of it as the percentage of land covered by buildings, driveways, and patios, compared to green spaces, parks, and pathways. Lower site coverage translates to more green space and potentially lower density, while higher site coverage means more houses and potentially busier streets.

How does it affect you?

Here are several ways that site coverage may affect your Sunshine Coast home design;

• Property Value: Studies suggest lower site coverage can lead to higher property value, especially with mature trees, parks, and amenities. Developers like Stockland, Aura, and Avid, Harmony each offer their own approach to green space, potentially boosting your investment.
• Community Vibe: Green spaces foster walkability and outdoor activities. Conversely, limited green space can restrict these aspects and impact community vibrancy. Developers essentially create their own unique community experiences through their landscaping philosophies.
• Sustainability: Lower site coverage allows for better rainwater management, natural cooling, and potential for solar energy use. Higher site coverage can increase heat and stress water resources. Stockland emphasises water-sensitive design, Aura integrates sustainable features, and Harmony focuses on low-carbon communities.

Choosing your Sunshine Coast home

It’s important to know what you’re looking for when picking a home on the Sunshine Coast. Here are a few things to consider;

• Prioritise your needs: Do you crave green space or a bustling community? Research different developments to find one that aligns with your lifestyle.
• Do your research: Understand the specific site coverage percentage of your chosen community and its impact on your living experience.

Plan for the future: Consider potential expansion plans and how they might affect site coverage and your lifestyle.

Designing a home with site coverage in mind

Here’s a look at how you can create a Sunshine Coast home design with site coverage in mind;

• Embrace natural light: Position windows and skylights strategically to maximise natural daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Lower site coverage allows for more strategically placed windows, including skylights.
• Optimise air circulation: Design for cross-ventilation with strategically placed windows and doors. Lower site coverage allows for better airflow and minimises reliance on air conditioning.
• Connect with nature: Integrate outdoor spaces seamlessly into your design. Consider courtyards, gardens, and balconies that provide pockets of greenery and natural beauty. Lower site coverage allows for more extensive landscaping.
• Sustainability features: Incorporate elements like water-efficient fixtures, energy-saving appliances, and solar panels. Lower site coverage allows for more space for these features and potentially reduces overall energy consumption.

Major Sunshine Coast developments

If you’re looking for some great places on the Sunshine Coast to build your dream home, here are a few good ones;

Stockland, Aura: Offers opportunities for incorporating courtyards, gardens, and green roofs into your home, even with lower site coverage. Allows for pocket gardens and courtyards within individual homes, fostering a sense of community while respecting site coverage.

Avid, Harmony: Offers abundant community parks and gardens, potentially leading to smaller private gardens but still providing ample connection to nature.

Choosing the right home for your Sunshine Coast lifestyle goes beyond bricks and mortar.

Understanding site coverage and its impact on your property value, community vibe, and even your daily living experience is crucial. But don’t worry, you don’t have to navigate this alone! At AUSMAR, our experienced House & Land Consultants have a deep understanding of site coverage, development guidelines, and the intricate dance between your dream home and the unique characteristics of your chosen block.

We explain the nuances of site coverage in your chosen development and its impact on your property and future enjoyment, ensure your home design adheres to all development regulations and maximising your potential while respecting the community’s character and expertly assess your block and recommend house plans that optimise space, leverage natural light and airflow, and seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment.

Ready to build your dream on the Sunshine Coast, with site coverage as your partner, not your obstacle?

Contact AUSMAR today and schedule a discovery call with our House & Land Consultants. They’ll guide you through every step, ensuring your new home is not only stunning but also sustainable, community-oriented, and perfectly aligned with your ideal Sunshine Coast home design.

Don’t wait to start building your future! Contact AUSMAR now