Research by UQ students - Soudan St, West Toowong

Report Menu

Character of Soudan Street
Elements of the street
Analysis
Guidelines
Overall Recommendations
Thanks

Pictures 1, 2, 3, 4

Character of Soudan Street

Soudan Street is a relatively quiet and safe residential area with a leafy and historic ambience. It contains a strong, identifiable streetscape composed of traditional 1920s vernacular architecture, with the infusion of vegetation at one end. The primary function lies in the provision of a residential environment and in the access for pedestrian and vehicular movement.

Within the street, two discrete, yet related environments may be found. The northern end is relatively sparsely treed and carries reasonable volumes of traffic, serving as a rat running route used to bypass Moggill Road. This area contains a special streetscape feature on the eastern side with a row of almost carbon copy 1920s styled houses with the same pyramid roofs, and front gables with a congruence and rhythm in form, mass, materials and compositive elements, which marks one side of the street.

The southern end backs onto a creek and the entrance to a school. It has relatively dense levels of vegetation and has a cool and shady feel. It is a dead end and carries little through traffic, but does serve as a drop off point for children at school times. This end contains more mixed styles of houses and sites examples of 1920s, inter-war and post war detached housing, as well as a new medium density development. While differing, the houses still share common elements and features, although in this area alterations to the built form have led, somewhat, to the detriment of the original house form and composition. For example, the introduction of aluminum windows.

The upper western side may also be subtly characterized by the prominence of the backyard open spaces, which form a channel at the back of allotments.

Soudan street has a regular traffic flow from Bent to Orchard streets, which is a rat running route from to . The street, however, is not consequently particularly dangerous to the cyclist or the pedestrian. There is significant traffic noise at peak times of the day e.g. 7am to 9am. However, the feel of the street is still residential.

The street has a continuity of form, which leads to a distinguishable character. There is a visual continuity in the streetscape, which stems from the elements that compose that form. There is continuity in the repetition of form, mass, spacing, structure, and materials, especially on the eastern side. There is a continuity in the setbacks and fence heights, although some instances do disrupt this.

Elements of the street

Street divided into busy and quiet area - vegetated and sparsely vegetated.

Most original structures in the street have been maintained

Most renovations do not have a high impact on the original street form.

Power poles on only one side of the street.

Vegetation at the end of the street provides a focal point and contributes to the identity of that end which is characterized by the heavy prevalence of vegetation.

Quiet street, which is generally safe to walk down

Traffic is constant but is not dangerous.

Accessible for cyclists and pedestrians.

Bus route through street

Some bland fencing in vital places such as at the entrance at orchard and bent streets.

Some renovations are not in keeping with the form and original elements of the street and are disruptive, such as aluminum windows, mixing of styles and inconsistent materials.

Rat running route

Reasonable prominence of street parking – cars in front of driveway

Mixed character – almost two or three zones

Entirely residential – mostly single detached housing, however it is candidate for medium density housing – one existing example.

Walking environment

Relatively busy

Safety at night?

Analysis

General observations

Most original structures have been retained.

Street entirely residential

Street subtly changes character from north to south.

Character determined by

• vegetation at Southern end (cool and shady)
• built form at northern end

Differences in character between areas

Northern End Southern End

- characterized by built form vs characterized by vegetation

- carbon copy houses vs mixed styles

- renovations supportive of style vs renovation not supportive

- limited setbacks, limited veg. Vs deep setbacks with veg.

- consistency in design vs inconsistency in design

- busy, regular through traffic vs quiet, very little traffic

Architectural Elements (contributing to overall character)

Roof form and pitch

Hips

Gables

Building form and bulk

Windows and doors (size, proportions and materials)

Building materials

Setbacks

- street, 3m? vs 6m?

- side boundary, large vs small

Fencing

Significant variation in fencing style and materials.

Some bland, some obscure view of house, some made of different materials, some comprise different styles.

Most prevalent and suitable is the 0.9 — 1.2m paling fence.

Traffic

High through traffic in the morning, but it is managed effectively by the presence of traffic islands at critical intersections.

Rat running route - Orchard to Bent Street

Bus route from Bent to Orchard Street.

Function & Safety

Street is wide enough for parking both sides and a free flow of traffic.

Street parking has reached a critical mass — any more would be detrimental.

Not ideal turn around area

Link over creek to high school — bridge finished in carriageway.

Footpaths only exist north or Vera and Orchard streets.

Pedestrian movement is fine — getting to the bridge over the creek is safe.

Most pedestrians use the eastern strip from the shops to the school or cross perpendicular to Orchard Street.

Street is dark at night

Power lines on one side of the street.

GUIDELINES

1.0 North-Eastern Strip:

• It is recommended that the houses (Block numbers) should be registered as a significant structures contributing to the unique and aesthetically significant character streetscape of Soudan St. (burra charter)

• It is therefore recommended that these structures be retained in their existing form. Their exterior forms, heights and orientation shall not altered to the detriment of its recognised significant character. The existing setbacks and visual rhythm of street should be maintained in this area. Any works other than maintenance shall be regarded as impact assessable?

photo montage to illustrate

2.0 Architectural Form:

• New development shall incorporate a building height, mass, scale and bulk that reflects the existing recognised character of the street.

• The built form should incorporate existing architectural elements, forms and materials so as to contribute to the overall desired character of the area. Consistency is desired in existing architectural elements such as:

• roof form,

• building orientation
• gables,
• verandahs,
• windows,
• doorways and,
• the size and proportion of these elements.

• Blank walls fronting streets are not considered as appropriate.

• Appropriate building materials should be used so as to contribute positively to the desired character of the street.

• Elements such as floor heights should be the same as adjacent houses.

separate illustrations for each element

3.0 Fences:

• Fences must be of a style, height and composition of materials so as to contribute positively to the recognised existing character of the street.

• Recommended fencing

- Timber paling

- No higher than 1.2m

4.0 Setbacks:

• The existing front and side boundary setbacks shall be considered the minimum setbacks required, with exception of blocks ( ) where the setback is fixed at its existing level.

5.0 Vegetation:

• New development should contribute positively to vegetation in areas where vegetation is considered important to its character.

• mature/tall trees to be maintained wherever possible and replaced if removed.

• New plantings and replacement vegetation should be of a similar or native species.

6.0 Car parking:

• Where an existing dwelling is being retained, one open, single carport on the front boundary is permissible, (unless it can be demonstrated that anything larger is not detrimental to the character of the street)

• carports and garages should be compatible with overall building form and character of the street in terms of height, roof form, details, materials and colours.

• New development must provide adequate parking space for all residents and visitors.

• New medium density developments and lot redevelopments may not erect car-parking structures within the front boundary.

7.0 Infill Developments:

• Infill developments in backyards are permitted with a limitation of one vehicle access point per allotment,- except on corner allotments where the infill development must directly front the street and have its access point front this street.

• New development should seek to reflect existing building forms and elements without strict replication.

Overall Recommendations

• It is recommended that Soudan Street should develop so as to maintain, reflect and

• New developments should therefore seek to contribute positively to the street in terms of their architectural form, siting, levels of vegetation and residential functions.
• As a condition of application, new development shall be required to forward a brief written and illustrative document, indicating the ways in which the proposed development seeks to reflect and enhance the existing and desired character of Soudan Street.
• New developments shall be assessed in their ability to reflect, respect and maintain the integrity of the existing architectural forms and compositions, levels of vegetation, and residential functions of the Street.

This work is the result of a group assignment , thus credit for it should be given to John Rowell, Nick Park, Steven Mason and Sean Cullen.
The Toowong West Community Association wishes to thank these students for their contribution to this website.

Material may not be reproduced without permission from the owner.

Home | Newsletter | Events | Report
Committee | Links | Email Webmaster | Brisbane hosting donated by iSmart
Website design donated by Smartype