The NSW State government has added nine new mid-rise apartment building designs to the Department of Planning’s Housing Pattern Book, in addition to the eight low-rise designs released in July.

The previous suite of designs, including an award winning proposal by Walyalup based firm Officer Woods, concentrated on medium-density suburbs where up to three dwellings could be comfortably fit into a single lot. The designs prioritised being ecologically conscious with economical uses of space featuring windows, courtyards, atriums and balconies.

Now, these recent updates to the Housing Pattern Book are focused on higher-density suburbs of Sydney and range from three to six storey designs, from a selection of Architectural Firms across Australia and New Zealand. The book includes patterns designed for small lots, large lots as well as two designed specifically for corner lots, which adds diversity of choice depending on the specific area needs. Most of the chosen patterns incorporate common space into their designs, including rooftop gardens, courtyards, and seating areas with access to BBQ’s.

NSW’s Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said, “Mid-rise housing is built into our state’s story – from Art Deco apartments to the red brick walk ups that are a much-loved part of many communities.” He continued, “These new patterns will write a new chapter for mid-rise homes in NSW, that not only have character but are affordable and sustainable." 

Similarly to the previous drop of nine designs, the updates to the Pattern Book are being offered at a heavily discounted introductory rate of $1,500 for a small lot plan and $2,500 for a large lot. The Minns government noted in their press release that this is 1% of the regular price for similar architect designed plans. The lower price will be available for the first six months, after which time they will increase to 10% of the market value. This assists the government’s policy that is seeking to introduce 112,000 homes across the state by 2030, without compromising the quality or liveability of the builds. Further, as the designs are made to maximise the number of dwellings in small and medium sized lots, they allow development in popular areas of cities and towns, such as Sydney’s Inner West and Inner East where prospective buyers are facing increased competition.

Because these designs have been selected by the state government, they are also eligible for fast-tracked development approval. By providing guidance to local councils, the average DA assessment is likely to be halved, meaning that more homes will be available sooner. Government Architect NSW Abbie Galvin added “Architecture plays a vital role in shaping places people want to live. These designs offer a clear pathway to delivering quality homes that contribute positively to the urban fabric.” She continued, “We have curated designs that are beautiful, functional and easy to build – helping more people move into homes that suit their lives, sooner.”

To learn more about the NSW Housing Pattern Book, visit http://planning.nsw.gov.au