Collaborating on good housing design

Government Architect NSW partnered with experienced architects and technical experts to create high-quality, thoughtfully designed homes for the people of NSW.

The collaborative design process ensured that a wide range of lifestyles, living arrangements, and style preferences were considered in the pattern designs.

Each design is modest, adaptable and affordable. We consulted with technical experts on accessibility, construction, sustainability, and the cost to prepare pattern designs for use.

Mid-rise designers

Architects from New South Wales and New Zealand have contributed mid-rise pattern designs. Find out more about the architects’ pattern design and biography:

Group photo of the Andrew Burges Architects team.
Credit: Andrew Burges Architects
Andrew Burges Architects

Large Lot Apartments 03

Photo of Bennett and Trimble.
Credit: Bennett and Trimble
Bennett and Trimble

Large Lot Apartments 02

Photo of Collins and Turner.
Credit: Collins and Turner
Collins and Turner

Small Lot Apartments 01

Group photo of the MHN Design Union team.
Credit: MHN Design Union
MHN Design Union

Small Lot Apartments 03

Group photo of the Neeson Murcutt Neille team.
Credit: Neeson Murcutt Neille
Neeson Murcutt Neille

Small Lot Apartments 04

Group photo of the Nguluway DesignInc team.
Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
Nguluway DesignInc

Small Lot Apartments 02

Photo of the Silvester Fuller team.
Credit: Silvester Fuller
Silvester Fuller

Large Lot Apartments 01

Photo of the Spacecraft Architects team.
Credit: Spacecraft Architects
Spacecraft Architects

Corner Lot Apartments 02

Group photo of the Tonkin Zulaikha Greer team.
Credit: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

Corner Lot Apartments 01

Low-rise designers

Architects from New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia have contributed low-rise pattern designs. Find out more about the architects’ pattern design and biography:

Group photo of the Anthony Gill Architects team. Credit: Will Stever
Group photo of the Anthony Gill Architects team.
Credit: Will Stever
Anthony Gill Architects

Semis 01

Group photo of the Carter Williamson Architects team. Credit: Pablo Veiga
Group photo of the Carter Williamson Architects team.
Credit: Pablo Veiga
Carter Williamson

Terraces 01

Group photo of the SAHA team. Credit: Saskia Wilson
Group photo of the SAHA team.
Credit: Saskia Wilson
SAHA

Row Homes 01

Group photo of the Sam Crawford Architects team. Credit: Jarrod Ruchalski
Group photo of the Sam Crawford Architects team.
Credit: Jarrod Ruchalski
Sam Crawford Architects

Terraces 02

Group photo of the Sibling Architecture team. Credit: Tope Adesina
Group photo of the Sibling Architecture team.
Credit: Tope Adesina
Sibling Architecture

Semis 02

Group photo of the Studio Johnston team. Credit: Jarrod Ruchalski
Group photo of the Studio Johnston team.
Credit: Jarrod Ruchalski
Studio Johnston

Manor Homes 01

Group photo of the Officer Woods Architects team. Credit: Officer Woods Architects
Group photo of the Officer Woods Architects team.
Credit: Officer Woods Architects
Officer Woods Architects

Terraces 03

Group photo of the Other Architects x NMBW team. Credit: Kasia Werstak
Group photo of the Other Architects x NMBW team.
Credit: Kasia Werstak
Other Architects x NMBW Architecture Studio

Terraces 04

The pattern book team

The NSW Housing Pattern Book is the result of collaboration and commitment across the NSW Government.

Government Architect NSW, part of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, played a key role in shaping the pattern book, guiding the vision, brief, and design development. The team worked closely with the Housing Policy and Codes team, the Digital Experience and Solutions team, the communications and engagement teams, and the legal and finance teams.

We received advice from Homes NSW, Landcom, Building Commission NSW, Investment NSW and other NSW housing delivery agencies.

Looking down on to a desk where a discussion over housing designs are taking place. Credit: GANSW
Looking down on to a desk where a discussion over housing designs are taking place.
Credit: GANSW

Contributors

Thank you to the architects, designers, and technical collaborators who contributed their time, creativity, and expertise to this work. Your commitment to thoughtful, high-quality design has helped shape a collection of homes that are inspiring and grounded in the needs of the people of NSW.

Together, you have helped demonstrate the power of good design to improve everyday living.

Technical advisors

  • ACOR
  • Arup
  • Building Innovations Australia
  • Ecodweller
  • Flux Consultants
  • Fire & Rescue NSW
  • Hassell
  • Jondreau Studio
  • MBMPL Pty Ltd
  • Sensum
  • Slattery
  • Traffix
  • TTM Consulting
  • Waterproofing Integrity Test Pty Ltd

Policy and process support

  • Christie Fearns
  • Felix Saw
  • For the People
  • ChoiRender
  • MAKO Architecture
  • Atlas Economics
  • Gyde Consulting
  • Maddocks
  • O’Connor Marsden & Associates
  • More Communication Design

Competition contributors

  • Paul Karakusevic (juror)
  • Jennifer McMaster (juror)
  • Michael Mossman (juror)
  • Philip Thallis (juror)
  • In Common Studio – Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh and Catherine Taylor (student winners)
  • Monash Urban Lab – Associate Professor Maryam Gusheh, Dr Jacqui Alexander, Professor Mel Dodd, Dr Laura Harper, Dr Tom Morgan, Associate Professor Catherine Murphy, Professor Louise Wright
  • Finding Infinity
  • JILA
  • Sue Barnsley Design

Explore the pattern book

Illustration of variety of low- and mid-rise homes on an axometric map.
Credit: Felix Saw

See how low- and mid-rise housing fits in your area.

Row homes design by 01 SAHA render street view of 2-storey house with 2 houses on either side with less detail. Credit: SAHA
Row homes design by 01 SAHA render street view of 2-storey house with 2 houses on either side with less detail.
Credit: SAHA

Explore the range of available pattern designs before you commit.