I am working on design guidelines for a downtown area - both a hsitoric and urban core area, and fringe areas where infill is more likely to be residential than mixed-use.
What are typical solid to void ratios for facades facing public streets? Specifically, for either a mixed-use building (residential over one-story commercial) or a residential building.
We are looking for a more urban than suburban form, generally 2-5 stories.
I have come across a few surveys showing for the historic area, upper floor solid to void is around 15%-35% void (windows/doors) with some buildings less than this. But I don't have much to go on for the new facades.
Two codes I came across call for min. 40% or 65% void on the first floor, and 25% or 30% on upper floors. We use an overal minimum of 20% for commercial and multi-family in our community.
Many also limit the upper floor void area to 50% to avoid the "glass tower" look.
Help from urban designers would be appreciated!
Obviosuly, the point is to create a pedestrian-friendly environment in our downtown district.
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