Spatial Planning Under the Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS)

The Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) sets out technical provisions to help ensure Class 1a and 2 buildings better meet the needs of the community, including older people and those with mobility limitations.

Since its introduction into the National Construction Code (NCC) in 2022, Livable Housing Design is no longer a “nice to have”, but a mandatory requirement for applicable residential projects.

In practice, however, designers often encounter challenges when implementing these standards. Common issues include non-compliant bathroom layouts due to insufficient circulation space or clearances, late-stage redesigns to achieve compliance, and difficulty integrating requirements without compromising design intent or apartment efficiency.

This session of CPD Live is intended to address the gap between what the code requires and how to deliver it in built form, with our speakers identifying the surest pathways to residential buildings that are livable and meet the evolving needs of all members of the community.

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

• Identify LHDS requirements and explain how they apply to Class 1a and Class 2 buildings
• Explain how resolving compliance issues early in the design process can help avoid redesigns
• Outline how fixture choices impact compliance – and particularly how in-wall cisterns can help unlock space
• Identify the key considerations involved in designing bathrooms that comply with LHDS requirements

(PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC12,  PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC18, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC25, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC33)

SPEAKERS

Brittany Lloyd-Tertis, QLD/NT State Manager, Geberit

Brittany Lloyd-Tertis is the QLD/NT State Manager for Geberit in Australia; a globally active group specialising in sanitary technology and piping innovations. Since joining the plumbing industry in 2015, Brittany has developed a keen interest in how Accessibility, technology and sustainability can come together within the construction space. Predominantly focussing in the specification and design stage of a project, Brittany is motivated by design-led solutions, identifying new and creative ways to achieve project objectives with longevity at the core of each decision.

Jenna Cottis, Director, Ryan Creative 

Jenna Cottis is the Lead Designer and Director at Ryan Creative. Since 2006, she has worked extensively across commercial and residential design, bringing an adaptive and holistic approach to every project. Her award winning experience ranges in scale from 25K to 250M in construction costs. Jenna founded Ryan Creative in 2021 to realise bold and exciting spaces for people to thrive and enjoy spending time in.