Building Entrance Print


Desi​gn Checklist​

  1. Entrances establish a desirable and strong residential identity for the development, which contribute positively to the streetscape and integrate into the overall building facade design 
  2. The entry is a functional, accessible, safe area with good shelter and lighting​​​

​​A building's entrance fulfils an important role in providing activity for the street and creating an identity for the building. 

The entry should be designed so that the visitor or resident can readily find their way to and around the building.

While there may be more than one entrance, the main entrance into the building should be clearly distinguishable through its architectural design and treatment. Car park and service entries should be suppressed and made secondary to the main entrance.

Better Design Practice

Locate entries so that they relate to the existing street and subdivision pattern, street tree planting and pedestrian access network. 

Ensure the entry is a clearly identifiable building element.

Use multiple entries (i.e. main entry plus private ground floor apartment entries) where appropriate to animate the street edge and create a rhythm of openings along the street.

Ensure that the size and scale of the entrance space is appropriate for the building. 

Clearly define transitions between the outside and common circulation areas, and between common circulation areas and private apartments.

Limit the number of apartments accessed off a single entry point.

Provide individual access from the street to ground floor apartments.

Ensure convenient and easy access for all (see Universal Design principles). 

Provide safe and secure access by:

  • ​Avoiding ambiguous and publicly accessible blind spaces near entries.

  • Providing a direct physical and visual connection between the street and the building entry.

  • Providing a clear line of sight between one circulation space and the next.

  • Providing sheltered, well-lit and highly visible spaces in which to enter the building, meet visitors and collect mail.

Provide separate entrances, especially from the street, for:

  • Pedestrians and vehicles.

  • Different uses, e.g. residential and commercial uses in a mixed-use development.

  • Ground floor apartments (where possible).

  • Recycling, waste collection and removal. 

​Ensure that entries and their associated circulation spaces are adequately sized to allow the movement of furniture into and from the building, and to all apartments.

Make mailboxes safe and convenient for residents and ensure that they do not clutter the appearance of the development from the street by:

  • ​Locating them adjacent to the major entrance in a common collection area and integrating them into a wall.

  • Setting them at 90 degrees to the street, rather than facing it.

  • Making the public side of mailboxes vandal-resistant and secure.

  • Provide orientation signage that is clearly visible and in character with the building.
Provide Feedback Next Page   Previous Page