In times of change it’s always worth reflecting on what’s working and what’s not. A changing property market – like the one we find ourselves in presently – is an opportunity to pause, take stock and carefully assess how we’re delivering homes to meet the needs of today’s market. Importantly, it’s an opportunity to be reminded of those tried-and-tested features of great residential design that we don’t want to lose sight of, regardless of the market, and which we want to ensure are carried forward for the next generation of buyers.

So, what are the design fundamentals that make a home truly stand the test of time?  At Mirvac we deliver on this important question by creating products and places that are based on the pursuit of continual evolution, underpinned by time-honoured and enduring design. This approach has been intrinsic to our DNA over our 47-year history and is more important now than ever as the market shifts.

One of the key design fundamentals central to this philosophy is our humanistic approach to design where people gather to live, work and play. A home designed to enrich the lives of its residents is a home that will leave a true legacy. Likewise, designing and creating spaces that inspire; that bring communities together and enhance wellbeing - from intimate spaces to larger urban environments – also delivers lasting benefits well after the developer has moved off site. Understanding the social, workplace and technological changes that influence behaviour and lifestyle is another crucial element in this approach.

Our development at Harold Park in Sydney is an example of this inclusive approach to design and place in action. This significant renewal project in a prime inner-city location combines residential, public open spaces and the adaptive reuse of the heritage tram depot into the award-winning Tramsheds precinct. Importantly, it has become a welcoming place for the community to ‘come in’ while also providing a home for residents to live and relax.

Here we matched a place-making opportunity with a community need to revitalise the area. Through careful contemplation of the history and special nature of the site, coupled with a design approach that collaboratively considered and catered to the broader community, the result is a vibrant urban precinct which truly celebrates its unique location. It incorporates all the fundamentals of good design, which in the long run, will enable it to grow, endure and ultimately, stand the test of time.