With the construction of hundreds of new apartments in City Centre South, Spon End Regeneration, the old Gasworks site and other sites in the city, the issue of high rise design becomes very important.
A recent opinion piece in Dezeen questioned the value of the tiny balconies that now adorn so many new apartment blocks. The criticism is familiar: many are little more than a narrow ledge, too small to accommodate a table and chairs, or even two people standing comfortably together. They offer the appearance of outdoor living without providing a genuinely usable space.
The debate raises a wider question. Why have such balconies become so common, and are they the result of building regulations, planning policy or simply developers responding to what buyers expect?
The answer is a combination of all three, although perhaps not in the way many people imagine.
Building Regulations do not require balconies, whether usable or decorative. Instead, they require homes to be safe, adequately ventilated and well lit. Modern apartments increasingly feature full-height glazing and French or sliding doors to maximise daylight and provide natural ventilation. Where those doors open above ground level, regulations require protection against falling. One straightforward solution is the Juliet balcony: a guardrail fixed across the outside of the opening.
Unlike a conventional balcony, a Juliet balcony is not intended as an outdoor room. It is an honest architectural device that allows residents to throw open their doors, enjoy fresh air and uninterrupted views while remaining safely inside.
Projecting balconies are different. They promise something more: a private outdoor space. In recent years many planning authorities have encouraged developers to provide private amenity space for every dwelling, recognising the importance of access to fresh air and the outdoors, particularly in higher-density housing.
The difficulty is that providing genuinely usable balconies is expensive. They require additional structure, waterproofing, drainage and maintenance, while also reducing the amount of internal floor area that can be sold. A balcony large enough for a small table and two chairs occupies valuable space and increases construction costs.
The result is a compromise. Many new developments feature projecting balconies that satisfy expectations and, in some cases, planning requirements, but are too shallow to function as comfortable outdoor rooms.
Architects have increasingly questioned whether this is good design. A balcony only one metre deep may allow someone to step outside, but little else. It may be impossible to sit comfortably, entertain friends, or even grow more than a few potted plants. Such balconies become architectural symbols rather than practical living spaces.
By contrast, the much-maligned Juliet balcony makes no such promise. It is essentially a floor-to-ceiling window with a safety barrier. While it cannot be occupied, it provides generous daylight, excellent ventilation and a strong visual connection with the outside world. It is arguably a more honest solution than a projecting balcony that offers little practical benefit.
This debate reflects broader changes in residential architecture over the past quarter-century. Advances in glazing technology, higher energy performance standards and changing public expectations have all encouraged larger windows and brighter interiors. At the same time, rising land values and construction costs have placed increasing pressure on developers to maximise internal floor space. The tension between these competing priorities is visible on the façades of many new apartment buildings.
There is, however, an important lesson for planning authorities. If policies encourage private outdoor space, they should also consider whether that space is genuinely usable. Some design guides now recommend minimum balcony depths of around 1.5 metres to ensure residents can comfortably sit outside, rather than merely step onto a narrow platform.
Good architecture is not simply about appearances. Whether a balcony projects from a building or sits flush with its façade matters less than whether it genuinely improves the lives of those who live there.
Sometimes a simple Juliet balcony provides exactly what it promises: light, air and a view. If the alternative is a tiny balcony that cannot realistically be used, perhaps honesty is the better design principle.