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Filling in the Gaps

A Participatory Post Occupancy Evaluation
of Public Housing in Coolaroo West

Summary of Comments


1. ENTRY/FRONT DOOR AREA/HALL

Q.1 Are there any design features that make the circulation awkward
No - Hallway opens directly into lounge room HOTONDO 89
Awkward because the front door is near the bedroom door HUNTER RAYSON
No privacy when front door is opened - Also no security HUNTER RAYSON
Front door opens to kitchen door HUNTER RAYSON
Awkward to bring items through into the house METRICON
Entrance is almost to the lounge room and no privacy PROFILE
Door is meant for inside use, not outside therefore is not secure enough WEST
Front door is too close to back door VATALE
Prams and wheelchair accessibility impossible VATALE
Front door is hidden Step at front door is too high HOTONDO 90

Q.2 Is it necessary to have artificial light on during the daytime for general use?
Yes - in hallway/passageway JENNINGS

Q.5 Are there any gaps to the outside? e.g. Under doors, around pipeworks
Gaps around windows HOTONDO 89
Around back door VATALE
Around back door, rain floods the laundry HOTONDO 90

2. LOUNGEROOM AREA


Q.8 Does the living area suffer from external noise?
Very close to railway but able to close window to improve HOTONDO 89

Q.9 Is there a built in space heater?
On original plans it was supposed to be ducted to dining area but has not been. HOTONDO 89

Q.16 Is there a fixed wall ventilation?
All windows have top ventilation this causes problems e.g. dust VATALE

Q.17 Are there any obvious gaps to the exterior?
Yes - as well as there is a bow POULSON
Windows don't fit properly POULSON
Eaves are cracked and house is on a slope POULSON
Yes - but slab extends past the house HOTONDO 90

3. KITCHEN


Q.14 In all places are there water and dirt proof surrounds extending 450mm (18" above the top of the bench or to the underside of overhead cupboards?
No - only two rows of tiles HOTONDO 89

Q.17 Are there vinyl tiles or similar water and dirtproof finish easy to clean coverings on the floor?
Is not easy to maintain HOTONDO 90

5. BATHROOM AND TOILET


Q.2 Is there an exhaust fan in the bathroom?
Yes - but does not work and is connected to the light POULSON

Q.3 Is the lighting for the mirror adequate?
There is no mirror HOTONDO 89

Q.4 Is there a waterproof shower screen provided?
Yes - Glass sliding door constantly comes off tracks doesn't matter how gentle you are HUNTER RAYSON

Q.6 What form does this dampness/moisture problem take?
Rotting carpets HCV DESIGN
Flooding from shower base METRICON
Floods windowsill HOTONDO 90

Q.7 What area does this occur in?
Hallway from shower base METRICON

Q.10 Are the hot water taps out of reach of young children?
No - specifically in bathroom HOTONDO 89

Q.11 Is there a floor drain provided in the bathroom?
Yes - but soap comes through HUNTER RAYSON

6. LAUNDRY/INTERIOR STORAGE


Q.2 Is there a 450mm high splash back?
No - only two HOTONDO 89

Q.4 Is there adequate floor space for a large washing machine (most be 900mm x 600mm/3ft x 2ft)
No room for dryer not enough space for anything else people cannot go through to the outside when laundry is in use WEST

Q.7 Does your linen cupboard meet your needs?
No - cupboard has only one shelf - it's more like a broom cupboard HUNTER RAYSON
No linen cupboard HUNTER RAYSON

Q.8 If excluding built-in robes, is there storage space for other large items such as a vacuum cleaner or Eskie etc.?
Yes - within linen cupboard HOTONDO 89

7. BEDROOM 1

Q.2 Are sill heights over 900mm?
No - 7ft windows POULSON

8. BEDROOM 2


Q.1 Is this room able to accommodate A,B,C & D?
Could take everything in isolation but couldn't take more than one POULSON

9. BEDROOM 3


Q.1 Is this room able to accommodate A,B,C & D?
One only HOTONDO 89
Could take everything in isolation but couldn't take more than one POULSON

11. OUTSIDE AREA (Parking & Storage)


Q.1 Comments on storage and parking
There is no storage for bikes HOTONDO 89
Garden shed needed JENNINGS
Garden shed should be provided VITALE

Q.2 Are you satisfied with parking facilities for people that live in your house?
Cannot park on street - only driveway at rear of house - can only see car if behind gates. Driveway is on wrong side of property METRICON
Area surrounding concrete - strips get extremely wet where car is parked - an muddy during winter. Driveway strips should be wider to enable people to walk on concrete to doorways WEST
Not enough room behind gates for car WEST
Visitors have to park on front lawn because there is no other space POULSON

Q.4 Is there a Prive shed provided for storing bikes and lawn mower etc.?
Yes - but, used as storage because internal design is inadequate HOTONDO 89
Just too small HOTONDO 90

Q.10 Does the house have any unusual or particular elements that make the house unique?
The house is built around a garden courtyard PROFILE

Q.11 Is it overlooked by neighbouring living areas?
Yes - neighbours overlook all entries and windows no privacy JENNINGS

12. OUTSIDE AREA

(Front and back yards)
Q.12 Are you satisfied with the following aspects of your yard?
No - the transformer box takes up half the front yard and makes access to the front door difficult HOTONDO 90
No - parking for visitors should have been more concrete and there is no shaded areas HUNTER RAYSON
Drainage is not properly done in front or back yard HUNTER RAYSON
No privacy in front yard - no way of preventing people from JENNINGS
walking across front yard - front fence would fix this Apart from plants and shrubs. Back door cannot be opened from the outside METRICON
Front yard is too large - too hard to maintain METRICON
Front yard is too big - and back yard is too small. Fences around back WEST
yard should be higher - gate through to back door would be better. Front yard is used as an access point for other residents in the street VITALE
Back fences are too low - and there are gaps in fences POULSON
Carport on wrong side of the house HOTONDO 90
Driveway on wrong side of the house HOTONDO 90

Q.2 Does the back door open into a private external area?
Yes - but the back door is too close to the front door VITALE
No - because the back yard is not private enough because fence heights are inadequate POULSON

Does the position of the hot water service cause problems for you? e.g. children
No - but should have a cage around it to prevent people burning themselves WEST
Yes - too close to back door HOTONDO 90

Q.8 Is the front door protected from the weather? e.g. Porch/verandah
Yes - but the ground floods due to poor concreting HOTONDO 90

Q.9 Has the exterior been altered by the tenant in any way?
Yes - concreting to avoid external flooding at sliding door HOTONDO 90

Q.10 Does the house have any unusual or particular elements that makes your house unique?
Yes - toilet faces kitchen HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - front of house is only 8ft from footpath on corner block METRICON
Yes - fish tank front window - 8ft windows - heater in the dining room and lighting orientation VITALE

Q.11 Is it overlooked by neighbouring living areas?
Yes - kitchen looks into back yard and into other neighbouring houses VITALE
Both side neighbours and back neighbours can see into back yard because fence heights are inadequate POULSON

13. CONSTRUCTION IN GENERAL


Q.1 Are there any major defects in construction?
No - but slab extends past the house HOTONDO 90
Ceiling in the kitchen cracking and internal movement POULSON
Eaves are cracking and birds can get into roof because of holes POULSON
Slab cracking METRICON

Q.2 Has the house had repeated maintenance for a specific problem?
Yes - tiles around shower HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - pilot light on hot water service continually goes out due to its position. Heater fan breaks down - cupboard doors fall off hinges - shower door continually comes off runner and exhaust fans HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - sealing in windows i.e. glass loose in frame HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - carpet mould HCV DESIGN
Yes - flooding in back yard - drain blockages shower base - repeatedly needs repairing HCV DESIGN
Yes - windows on western side of living area allows draft in at all times JENNINGS
Yes - eaves need to be replaced often as they fall away from house - crack in lounge room wall from window to wall - repeatedly repaired (silicone and foam holding wall together) JENNINGS
Shower base leaking - water leaking through room on to heater - being too close to flu from heater METRICON
Yes - shower base flooding METRICON
Yes - shower recess don't stay on METRICON
Yes - water going down behind tiles and on to carpet WEST
Yes - walls cracking PROFILE
Yes door handles keep falling off PROFILE
Bungalow 2nd hand - so therefore has been maintenance intensive VITALE
The mould is making the concrete walls crumble. Repeated request for attention has been ignored by HCV
Ceiling in the lounge is moving away from the wall. It also seems to be bowing POULSON
Taps and door handles HOTONDO 90
Taps and door handles HOTONDO 90
Door handles HOTONDO 90

Q.3 Has the house deteriorated physically for any reason or in any way during your tenancy?
Yes - door handles keep falling off HOTONDO 89
Paintwork needs re-doing due to inferior quality at outset - also to eliminate mould - carpet worn due to inferior quality HUNTER RAYSON
Cracking in lounge wall (interior) HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - window frames HUNTER RAYSON
Crack appearing in ceiling JENNINGS
Ground dropping - and carpet worn JENNINGS
Path going from back door to line has sunk METRICON
Carpet due to flooding from shower, clothes line, concrete, grill door, wardrobe doors - and paint flaking METRICON
Needs external paintwork METRICON
Yes - because of repeated problems with items not being able to be used properly (e.g. doors fall off - handles etc.) PROFILE
Carpets worn - walls need painting because it is not washable WEST
Paint washing off - windows - back door rotting due to exposure to weather WEST
Yes - outside paintwork and woodwork VITALE
When it rains the yard fills with water because the yard is contoured down VITALE
towards the house - there is no proper drainage Yes - cracking up POULSON
Moisture has led to deterioration. Poor paint surfaces POULSON

Q.4 Do all windows and doors open and close properly?
Laundry door seems not to fit properly HOTONDO 89
Sliding door doesn't fit properly VITALE

Q.5 Are there any gaps?
Yes - the front door doesn't match properly HOTONDO 89
Yes - sliding door PROFILE
Yes - back door VITALE

Q.6 Are there any cracks or gaps in the walls? Yes - some in the bathroom HOTONDO 89
Yes - outside VITALE

14. DESIGN DETAILS


Q.1 Is there anything interesting or unique in or around your house?
The front of the house looks unfinished - could look better HUNTER RAYSON
Yes - courtyard PROFILE
Yes - toilet in the middle of the house. No ventilation WEST
Yes - size of windows and bedroom 3 opens on to dining area VITALE
Size of windows and irregular shape VITALE
Size of windows VITALE

Q.4 Are you satisfied with the privacy within and around your house?
No - the design of the dining/lounge and bedroom 3 causes problems VITALE

Q.7 Are you satisfied with the wall finishes?
No - wall finishes are inferior and hard to clean HOTONDO 89
Paint is non washable - which is ridiculous with young children - the colour is also too light and depressing HUNTER RAYSON
No - paint washes off HCV DESIGN
Wall paint washes off JENNINGS
No - had half of house repainted - but not the rest and paint non washable JENNINGS
Should be washable paint METRICON
Non washable paint PROFILE
Non washable paint WEST
Wall paint not washable - bedrooms not big enough - not enough storage WEST
Typical commission paint VITALE
Wet areas yes - other areas no POULSON
Can't clean it properly - it is flat paint like chalk POULSON
Non washable HOTONDO 90
Non washable - rooms different colours HOTONDO 90

Q.8 Are there any hazards for children that you have noticed?
Yes - front step HOTONDO 90
Yes - concrete slab - hot water taps - the depth of the windows allows young children to stand on them HOTONDO 90
Size of windows WEST
Yes - stove too close to laundry door PROFILE
Yes - construction in front yard HOTONDO 89

DESIGN DETAILS


Some people have concerns where the rooms are in their homes in relation to one another for example: some people may feel that the kitchen is too close to the living room.
Would like drainage hole in laundry - and a verandah for weather protection outside front and back doors HUNTER RAYSON
Back door goes from dining room HCV DESIGN
Would prefer door instead of archway leading to lounge from entry hall - also prefer separate laundry instead of passage way to back door JENNINGS
Lounge room and dining area has no privacy. Bedroom 3 opens on to dining room. VITALE
Bedroom opens on to dining room HOTONDO 90
Would have liked a door in laundry instead of having to go outside through kitchen POULSON
Should have door from laundry to outside POULSON
Bedroom 3 opens on to dining area HOTONDO 90
Would prefer house turned around on block HOTONDO 90

Q.6 Are you satisfied with the appearance of external areas?
Landscaping HOTONDO 89

ADDITIONAL THERMAL PERFORMANCE

(Comments)
(New tenant) Heating cost not known so far HOTONDO 89
The house stays at a comfortable temperature sometimes WEST
I am satisfied with the heater - when it works properly METRICON
(New tenant) Heating cost not known so far HOTONDO 89
(New tenant) Heating cost not known so far HOTONDO 89
Heater too big HOTONDO 89
Location of heater is poor VITALE
Would install an air conditioner if we could afford it VITALE
Needs something to keep house cool in summer JENNINGS
Took 12 months to learn how to use heater HUNTER RAYSON
Back of house gets too cold in winter HUNTER RAYSON
If shading was provided to front and back of house this would eliminate heating and cooling problems which are always prevalent HUNTER RAYSON
The heater is in dining area VITALE

TENANT INVOLVEMENT


Q.1 Do you think there is a role for tenant participation in the planning and designing of houses built for the Ministry of Housing and Construction?
Yes - if men didn't build them it would be better POULSON

Q.2 If so - would you want to be involved in the development design and the housing design (e.g. Tenant Group discussions with designers to cover such issues such as site layout, internal design etc.?
Yes - If I thought we were going to be listened to HUNTER RAYSON

Q.3 Would you want to be involved in only internal wall finishes, paint type and colour or carpet choice?
Yes - within own house HOTONDO 89