Fashionable feature provides too much information
It seems that some home builders on the Peninsula are falling into the trap of unintended consequences and literally sound blasting the neighbours with too much information.
When it comes to building a house these days, there seems to be a general consensus that "bigger is better" and a developer or prospective homeowner will always attempt to maximise space.
There are limits to the size of any development in the council planning regulations.
For instance the floor space ratio, which depends on the type of building and the zone, is simply the size of the site divided by the gross floor area.
For instance a floor space ratio of 0.5 would mean the gross floor area could be 50 per cent of the area of the site.
A simple "hack" that many home builders utilise in order to exceed the floor space ratio is to add an "alfresco" area.
This is supposedly an outdoor dining area which is roofed over but at least partly open to the elements. An alfresco is not included in the gross floor area.
One of the many problems caused by large houses on small sites is a loss of privacy, both visual and acoustic.
Obviously, when a house is "crammed" into a site, sound does not have far to travel to reach the neighbours.
The problem of unwanted sound can become quite severe for the hapless neighbours when alfresco areas are mis-designed (or modified) to create an "acoustic sound shell".
Concert halls are purposely designed with such a feature behind the performers to project sound into the audience and they are a very efficient mechanism for doing so.
It is not, however, a very desirable feature when incorporated into your next door (or backdoor) neighbour's house.
A distressed couple who live next door to one of these "backyard sound shells" has told me exactly how much they are not just able, but forced, to hear.
It's literally everything.
They said that the problem started when their neighbour decided to close in part of their alfresco area.
This created a situation where sound was not only projected but seemingly amplified as well.
Now they cannot avoid being privy to every intimate conversation, phonecall and argument.
This has included confidential information such as passwords and pin numbers.
The couple told me: "It's quite clear that the neighbours have no idea of how much of their private business is being broadcast.
"If they did, they'd be mortified."
The couple is embarrassed and hesitant to inform their neighbours, and afraid of a "shoot the messenger" reaction.
If you own an alfresco area that's lined with hard surfaces and open or partly open on one side facing the neighbours, take heed.
It could be you they're talking about.
(But please, don't shoot me.)
SOURCE:
Email, 3 Nov 2024
Frank Wiffen, Woy Woy