Wherever possible, the combination of natural and built shade should be considered as the most effective and sustainable outcomes for shade creation. This combination will allow the built structures to provide effective shade while the trees are growing, and/or allow for a greater coverage of shade area.
Consider the following elements:
Position shelters on site to capitalise upon solar orientation and prevailing breezes. Design may need to consider protection from westerly sun and wind when required.
Locate a shelter near play spaces and orient furniture to facilitate supervision.
Group park items together to reduce visual clutter and provide cohesion to the landscape.
A smooth transition is required between all pathways and adjoining concrete slabs to access associated embellishments.
Existing mature trees and new tree plantings, can provide additional natural shade.
It is not recommended that shelters are constructed under mature trees as this can damage existing tree roots.
Avoid locating shelters adjacent to plants with leaves with cutting edges, sharp thorns, spikes or poisonous parts.
Avoid positioning shelters where existing or planted vegetation does, or will in future, obstruct views from the shelter. Rectification works may be environmentally sensitive.
To minimise leaf litter and excess maintenance on shelter roofing, guttering and downpipes, consider mature tree canopy spread and prevailing wind direction.
Consult an arborist for species and offset advice.
Design for appropriate climate-based orientation. Provide shade and allow for the penetration of breezes, sunlight and the integration of the shelter with the natural environment.
Note that the adopted rain angle allowance of 60° is a concession between 10 am - 2 pm shade cover (60.15° at summer solstice) and driving rain (63°).
The following ideal parameters for positioning a shelter should be considered, however all, may be modified to suit individual site requirements.
Consider the direction of sun/rain/wind and carefully locate shelters and furniture to reduce exposure. Rain on barbecues can collect in the fat trays, causing maintenance issues.
Research shows that wind may cause rain to fall at considerable inclination. Resultant angles may be between 40 and 60 degrees (source: 'The Influence of the angle of incidence of the rainfall on the overland flow process'. Department of Land & Water Use, and Department of Hydraulics & Catchment Hydrology, Agricultural University Wageningen, The Netherlands).
Consider the direction of prevailing winds, and orient shelters to provide natural protection where possible. This may be achieved by positioning the shelter alongside vegetation or other existing features.
Increasing the overhang on more than one side of the shelter, should be considered where the roof is higher or the shelter is facing west. Prevailing winds may be stronger and therefore greater coverage is required to provide adequate protection.
Shelter function can be adversely affected by wind driven rain, however rain protection is not the primary objective of a shelter.
Furniture is to be offset a preferred minimum 1.2 m inside a shelter roofline (where possible).
To minimise odour impact on food preparation. For double bin installation, position waste bin closest to eating area and recycle bin furthest away to prevent contamination.
To minimise odour impact on food preparation. For double bin installation, position waste bin closest to eating area and recycle bin furthest away to prevent contamination.
To allow users to wash food utensils and hands. Must not be attached to shelter post.
Shelter
Clear area to any other embellishment
2.5 m
For deck mower clearance (where possible)
Avoid creating small, difficult to mow areas.
Roof edge
Edge of concrete slab
500 mm min (from lowest side of unguttered shelter)
To prevent scouring, waterlogged areas and slab undermining.
Timber post gap (anchor clearance)
Top of concrete slab
75 mm min
Termite management
Prevents wet rot at post base
Facilitates replacement of posts
Under shelter furniture (seating, barbecues and tables)
Edge of roofline
Minimum 1.2 m offset to furniture
To minimise disruption to under shelter activities during rain events
To maximise protection from the sun during the period of highest UV radiation exposure. (9 am to 3 pm)
Shelter posts
Furniture under shelter
1.0 m
To facilitate stroller/wheelchair/mobility device manoeuvrability
Figure 16: Typical layout – skillion roof shelter
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.
All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.
This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.
Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.
Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.
This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.
Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
Copyright
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