Bluefield Housing as Alternative Infill for the Suburbs

Suburbanized cities face a challenge in transitioning to more densely populated and socially connected urban systems while maintaining their low-rise character and avoiding gentrification. Bluefield Housing provides a new land definition and co-located infill model that addresses these concerns by describing and deploying the types of ad-hoc modifications undertaken in the suburbs for decades. It offers a middle ground between suburban preservation and knock-down-rebuild regeneration, focusing on retrofitting existing houses, retaining landscape and urban tree canopies, and delivering additional homes as low-rise additions and backyard homes. The book is extensively illustrated with architectural design studies and provides innovative suburban infill ideas for policy makers, planners, architects, researchers, and students of housing and design studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Suburbanised cities face a challenging dilemma as they strive to transition towards more densely populated and socially connected urban systems while preserving their low-rise character, avoiding gentrification, and providing diverse housing choices for their residents. Bluefield Housing presents a novel approach to addressing these concerns by redefining the concept of land and implementing a co-located infill model. This model involves a range of ad-hoc modifications that have been undertaken in suburbs for decades, providing a middle ground between the preservationist attitude of suburban preservation and the comprehensive approach of knock-down-rebuild regeneration.

Bluefield Housing expands the traditional definitions of green, brown, and greyfields to encompass suburban infill. It focuses on co-locating homes on small lots, retrofitting existing houses, retaining and enhancing landscape and urban tree canopies, and delivering additional homes as low-rise additions and backyard homes to accommodate the diverse needs of modern households.

The book is extensively illustrated with engaging architectural design studies, providing a visual representation of the proposed solutions. Author Damian Madigan delves into how existing quirks of suburban housing can inspire new forms of infill, explains why a new suburban densification model is necessary and desirable for various stakeholders, and outlines the steps required to make bluefield housing a reality.

While using Australian housing as an example, Bluefield Housing addresses universal concerns surrounding neighbourhood character, demographic needs, housing diversity, dwelling flexibility, and landscape amenity. It offers innovative suburban infill ideas for policy makers, planners, architects, and community members who are interested in creating more sustainable and inclusive communities.

By adopting the principles of Bluefield Housing, suburban cities can achieve a balance between urbanisation and preservation, ensuring that their unique character is retained while providing residents with access to a range of housing options and a high quality of life.

Weight: 780g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032276908