Where did street appeal go?

Grabbing a morning coffee from a local favorite, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between the facades of a modern building and an older historic structure just across the street.

Development control plans aim to create visually interesting facades, emphasizing variety and articulation in length and height. Guidelines typically discourage unbroken walls over 10 meters in length and 3 meters in height and encourage the use of design elements like roof projections, pergolas, and mixed materials like masonry, timber, and glass. In theory, the modern coffee shop building I stood outside would tick these boxes.

But standing next to its historic counterpart, it became clear that facade treatments of the past offered a richness and character that modern designs often miss. 

While architectural styles certainly evolve, I believe there's a lesson here for town planning today—facades matter. They are the public face of our buildings, shaping how we experience our streets and public spaces. Poor facade treatments risk making places feel cold and unwelcoming, while thoughtfully designed ones can help turn a space into a vibrant urban community. 

As planners, we must continue to prioritize facades in our designs to ensure our communities remain interesting and engaging for generations to come.