NSW Government
Planning

Small Lot Apartments 01 by Collins and Turner

Residential flat building at 3–4 storeys with dwellings ranging from studios up to 4 bedrooms.

Street view of 4 storey apartment with two apartment blocks on left and right.

A timeless, compact design that integrates Art Deco sensibilities with the conveniences of modern living.

Small Lot Apartments 01 by Collins and Turner is a 3- to 4-storey apartment building for compact sites. It reinterprets the character of the classic Art Deco walk-up, offering a timeless brick facade that can fit comfortably within many NSW neighbourhoods.

The design includes a mix of studios, one-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, many with a flexible room that can be used as a study, nursery or playroom. Apartments are arranged on the building corners to maximise light-filled interiors, cross- ventilation, and leafy views. With only 3–4 apartments per floor, the building supports a close-knit community while providing private balconies for each home and shared open spaces at ground level and on the rooftop.

The pattern is efficient and adaptable, making it suitable for a range of sites. It can be configured for 3 or 4 storeys, with options for basement, or on-grade parking. It works on sites with slight slopes (up to one metre) and can adapt to sites with a minimum width between 13 m and 16.6 m. It can be adapted to a 0 m, 1.5 m or 3 m side-setback arrangement depending on the site width, location and number of storeys desired.

Download to preview Small Lot Apartments 01 (ZIP, 41.9 MB).

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Key metrics

Each pattern provides a design for low- and mid-rise (LMR) housing areas with some of the designs providing options to suit non-LMR housing areas. The key metrics reflect the compact designs for low-rise patterns and the range of options for mid-rise patterns.
  • Number of dwellings 7-13
  • Bedrooms per dwellingStudio-4
  • Gross Floor Area (GFA) 441-1350 m2
  • Efficiency (NSA:GFA)86-97%
  • Parking spaces per building 4-8
  • zoom_in_map Minimum lot area 520-904 m²
  • Minimum lot width 13-16.6 m
  • Number of storeys 3-4
  • Floor-Space Ratio (FSR) 1.09:1-1.49:1
  • Livability rating (ABCB)Standard
  • Site gradient front to back0-1 m

Key metrics

Each pattern provides a design for low- and mid-rise (LMR) housing areas with some of the designs providing options to suit non-LMR housing areas. The key metrics reflect the compact designs for low-rise patterns and the range of options for mid-rise patterns.
  • Angled street view of 4 storey apartment with two apartment blocks on left and right. Image credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative street view, a modern take on the classic Art Deco style blends seamlessly into neighbourhoods.
  • View into living room of apartment from the balcony with two people talking inside.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative interior view, apartments have a comfortable and well-lit open-plan layout.
  • View of sheltered communal area with people interacting and plants in foreground.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative communal view, rooftop garden offers shaded seating for residents to relax and connect.
  • Street view of 4 storey apartment with two apartment blocks on left and right.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative front view, mid-rise apartments offer private balconies on each floor.

Floor plans

Explore the floor plan layouts. Refer to the pattern pack for more floor plan variations to suit your preferences.

  • Ground plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    Ground floor plan (not to scale), featuring a communal landscape area in the rear.
  • Basement plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    Basement floor plan (not to scale), secure underground parking for cars and bicycles.
  • First floor plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    First floor plan (not to scale), many apartments offer a flexible room that can be used as a study, nursery or playroom.
  • Second floor plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    Second floor plan (not to scale), apartments arranged on corners to maximise light and cross ventilation.
  • Third floor plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    Third floor plan (not to scale), bedroom mix ranges from studios up to 2 bedrooms.
  • Roof plan of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
    Credit: Collins and Turner
    Roof plan (not to scale), all residents can access an outdoor gym and communal open space.

Fixed and flexible features

Fixed features must be included in your planning application. Flexible features can be modified within agreed parameters.

Axonometric section of the Small lot apartments 01 by Collins and Turner.
Tap to explore

  • Fixed features
    • Brick palette and formal style

      A refined brick material palette and compact form referencing traditional Art Deco apartments. 
    • Welcoming entry

      A gracious front entry and central stair provides a welcoming place of arrival and encourages neighbourly interaction. 
    • Efficient, fixed-apartment mix

      The general arrangement of this pattern, including circulation and dwelling configuration is fixed to optimise efficiency.
    • Communal open space

      Twenty-eight per cent of the site area is dedicated to communal space supporting indoor outdoor living on the ground floor and on the rooftop.​
    • Services and waste provisions

      Waste rooms sized for weekly kerbside collection and provision for kiosk substation and fire pump room if required.

  • Flexible features
    • Facade design

      Choose between rectilinear or curved facade details, alongside 3 brick material palette options.​
    • Number of storeys

      Suitable for 3 storeys on a minimum 13.6 m-wide lot with 1.5 m side setback, or 4 storeys on a minimum 16.6 m-wide site with 3 m side setback.​
    • Parking options

      Basement, or on-grade parking options available.
    • Side setback and slope

      Zero metre side setback option makes the design adaptable to sites between 13 m and 16 m wide at 3 or 4 storeys. Adaptable to 0 m–1 m upslope and downslope.
    • Adaptable interiors

      Select apartments can meet Australian Standard 4299-1995 – Adaptable housing to support aging in place.​

Materials and character

The primary cladding is face brick, complemented by compressed fibre cement sheeting. 3 brick colour options and interchangeable facade details allow the building to suit a range of settings across NSW.  

Street view of 4 storey apartment with blonde bricks.
Credit: Collins and Turner
Blonde brick and CFC

The 2 primary materials are blonde brick and a CFC cladding.

Street view of 4 storey apartment with light brown bricks.
Credit: Collins and Turner
Light brown brick and CFC

The 2 primary materials are light brown brick and a CFC cladding.

Street view of 4 storey apartment with dark brown bricks.
Credit: Collins and Turner
Dark brown brick and CFC

The 2 primary materials are dark brown brick and a CFC cladding.

Close up image of the metal balustrades, screens and awnings.
Credit: Collins and Turner
Metal details

Metal balustrades, screens, awnings and window frames finished in similar tones to the primary materials.

About the architect

Collins and Turner is an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio that has delivered residential, public and commercial buildings across Australia. Their projects have a broad range of styles that reflect their clients’ needs and the settings the buildings are situated in. They take an honest and restrained approach to materials.

For more of Collins and Turners’ work, visit Collins and Turner.

Meet the pattern book design team

Getting into the detail

Learn more about turning your pattern book project into reality with supporting guidance for designing your landscape and gaining fast-track planning approval.

Illustration of landscape design. Credit: Felix Saw
Illustration of landscape design.
Credit: Felix Saw

Complement your proposal with beautiful, resilient, landscape designs.

Illustration of approvals process. Credit: Felix Saw
Illustration of approvals process.
Credit: Felix Saw

All patterns are eligible for a fast-tracked planning assessment pathway.

Preview or purchase this pattern

View the pattern drawings at no cost to help you select the most suitable pattern for your project.

To use the pattern for your planning application, you must purchase the full suite of documents, accept the terms and conditions and reference your unique identification number. When you pay the fee, you will receive technical drawings in PDF and DWG formats, a BASIX information sheet for this pattern, an editable design verification statement and your unique identification number.

Purchase the pattern design