Clarke Hopkins Clarke's Jordan Curran explains how COVID-19 could influence the design of mixed-use communities

Clarke Hopkins Clarke's Jordan Curran explains how COVID-19 could influence the design of mixed-use communities
Olivia RoundJuly 2, 2020

COVID-19 has encouraged discussion about the way we live, how we interact with others, and what's important to us in our day-to-day lives.

Recently I caught up with Clarke Hopkins Clarke's Jordan Curran over Zoom to find out how the practice is responding to the pandemic and what which key learnings will influence their mixed-use precinct designs moving forward.

As a Partner at CHC, Jordan has spent years cultivating thriving mixed-use communities across Australia. In this interview, Jordan shares some valuable insight into the ways architects and developers can create meaningful communities which will enhance the way we live, as well as some of the main benefits of buying into a master-planned community. 

Watch the interview:

Topics discussed:

00:22 - Given the current pandemic, what learnings have Clarke Hopkins Clarke taken from the situation that will shape the way you design communities in future?

02:54 - How can architects and developers provide residents with a better quality of life through the design of their home and the surrounding neighbourhood?

07:06 - A study by the Danish architect, Professor Jan Gehl, found that COVID-19 encouraged people in four European cities to visit areas with existing public facilities, but they were less likely to travel to the CBD. Do you feel that Australia caters well to a similar demand for local infrastructure or is there room for improvement? 

08:31 - What public space typologies have the most positive impacts on a person's quality of life?

09:40 - What's your process for ensuring a mixed-use precinct is well-integrated within the existing community?

11:34 - What types of new community spaces are you looking to develop within your masterplans in future?

14:02 - What are some of the benefits of buying into a mixed-use precinct that property seekers might not know about? 

Watch next: ClarkeHopkinsClarke's Dean Landy comments on the value of employment hubs within our neighbourhoods 

Olivia Round

Olivia Round is the Features Editor of urban.com.au. Olivia specialises in news reporting, in-depth editorial content and video + podcast interviews with industry experts.

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