Thanks siriuskey, leaning towards that as well!

I agree with siriuskey. Once painted they will need ongoing maintenance. A good high pressure clean and repainting the trim only (never the bricks) combined with some careful landscaping will give your body corporate the best bang for its buck.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

Yes, clean-em-up. But, get rid of the silly picket fence, this doesn't flatter the architecture, nor does the ramp. Stainless steal or metal and timber railing would

enhance the scene - e.g.:

Thanks Weaver Interiors for your feedback. We plan to change the fence definitely, but it has to be substantial due to drop off. Plain black iron is current favourite.

Ramps have to be brought up to 1m so looking at ways to do that...again huge drop off and huge expense to fully redesign them. Hence thinking a stone colour to tie in with bricks.

Thanks everyone for your ideas! Still hoping for more!!

Just another idea that could work with the cream an brown ? bricks. I love black and cream and black with just about anything!!

Using the building cladding for the fences with the coloured walk way and adding a round timber handrail to the required height (This is by Teedland Architects)

Can you have ivy grow up part of the building? I know it takes maintenance and time but those bricks though are really in your face.

Thanks siriuskey for the timber look suggestion. I agree that the black brown and cream look is 'sharp'. We are screening clothes drying area with spotted gum. Think will paint ramps in stone /cream colour then see from there.

I agree that ivy would be appealing AUS Joinery, however concrete cancer has been an issue so not advisable. The plan at the moment is to plant lillipillies (with uplights) to grow up in front of the building from ramp below which will soften the facade.Will take about 5 years though!!

I appreciate both your comments! Thanks!

Think the round timber rail to achieve reg. height is a winner! Thanks siriuskey!

Another idea might be to have wrought iron or steel sections installed to the top of the ramp walls, as an extension to meet 1m code. Do love look of timber handrail as well.

This probably seems a dumb comment, but do take caution with whoever does brick cleaning. It’s super easy to push water around window frames and cause leaks into building, esp with pressure washing. Recently my husband was having dental surgery at the same time tradesmen were pressure washing the dental clinic’s roof and guttering...water and debris was forced into surgery rooms and then had to hurriedly be evacuated and completed sanitised before surgery could resume.

Maybe be there are alternative methods.

Thanks annb1997 for your ramp walls suggestions. It was suggested to build up with more brick and painting in with the stone colour. What is your opinion on that?

Re pressure washing, thanks for that insight! Yes need to be mindful!

You would be looking at something like the following and would suit the period of the building. re cleaning the exterior brick work you could look into something like spraying with "Wet & Forget" , acid washing

or similar, would be far gentler the blasting as this can create problems with grouting

Aesthetically, I think railing or similar is much more appealing than extending upward the ramp brickwork; however, changing colour will definitely improve visual of the existing walls. The pics siriuskey provided are very attractive. I like the idea of repeating the same style handrail as you have inside, as it lends consistency. Solid brickwork seemstoo heavy and chunky to me; a handrail will add elegance.

Note: Do you need to worry about children attempting to climb the ramp walls (do code regs address this)?

We are visiting an architect tomorrow to prepare a pre development application, so can ask that question! Any other hints for this pre DA meeting....please??

We added a single round metal bar above a solid wall on a balcony that came off our offices in Sydney to bring it up to a safe height for clients use but can't remember what was the current accepted height. Easy fix and looked great. I kind of like the second photo that I posted bit bit more edgy but the main thing is to have interior and exterior railings matching. good luck

thanks siriuskey for your reply. We love the second railing you posted and hope we can use that one over the ramp. The height has to be 1m from toe hole. Will definitely match up internal stairs to external. Can't wait to be able to post 'after' shots!

Great balustrading siriuskey.

For trimwork, I really admire a dark grey as it sits beautifully with cream brick facade. It looks as though the bit of roof we can see is charcoal...? Colorbond Windspray or perhaps an even darker grey/charcoal. Carry that across to carport roof and trim. Are you planning any change/s to carport?

What about external lighting? Is there a parking garage to be considered?

Thanks annb, yes the carports are being replaced in a grey/charcoal steel and lighting factored in to front entry as well. Garage is underneath. Thanks for your reply!