The New South Wales government is set to develop a pattern book of endorsed housing designs for buildings up to six storeys.
A design competition will be launched in early 2024 that will challenge Australian and international architects, and architecture schools to create best-practice proposals for low- and mid-rise dwelling types for Sydney and New South Wales.
Winning designs will be incorporated in a pattern book that will be available for developers to chose from, in order to access an accelerated pathway to approval.
The pattern book will include designs for terraces, semi-detached housing, manor houses and apartment buildings of up to six storeys.
Proposed designs should suit the New South Wales climate, allow for natural light and include community spaces.
The process will be led by Government Architect NSW, along with the architecture and planning professions, councils, and development and construction industry leaders.
“Despite being in the top 30 cities in the world by GDP, Sydney ranks 859th in the world when it comes to density,” said planning minister Paul Scully. ““Increasing density in well-located and well-connected parts of Sydney is a key part of the NSW Government’s housing plan. We want to ensure density is done well, and this package will ensure that happens.”
The NSW government will also introduce a mechanism to fast track high-rise developments for sites close to transport infrastructure.
As an alternative to the design excellence competition pathway, developers will be able to chose from a list of architects pre-approved by the government architect, which will reduce the planning assessment process by 6 to 12 months.
“I’ve heard builders and other stakeholders explain some of the long approval times they encounter,” said premier Chris Minns.
“What I’ve announced today is the start of addressing those delays.”
