NSW Government
Planning

Small Lot Apartments 02 by Nguluway DesignInc

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

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

A sculptural, family-friendly apartment building with thoughtful in-between spaces for neighbours to connect with landscape and each other. 

Small Lot Apartments 02 by Nguluway DesignInc is a 3- to 4-storey apartment building designed for compact sites. Its warm, earthy material palette and culturally responsive design make it adaptable to many locations across NSW.

The design offers a mix of generous one-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments suited to families and households of different sizes. Communal spaces are located on each level and in the shared rear garden, providing opportunities for neighbours to meet and connect.

These shared spaces are imagined as 'brackish spaces' – places that blur the line between private and public, inspired by the Dharawal story of the meeting of Freshwater and Saltwater Country.

'An old Dharawal story speaks of the confluence of Freshwater and Saltwater Country, and of the magic that unfolds in the meeting. This 'brackish water' is never the same; it moves, shifts, and transforms with each passing tide.

So too could our built thresholds become Brackish Spaces - vibrant, ambiguous, ever-changing. Here, people ebb and flow, moving between private and public realms. These places resist ownership yet are always animated by the self-organising movement of people. In their neutrality lies a quiet dynamic of togetherness - emerging not from design, but from the simple passing by as we go about our daily lives.' – Craig Kerslake Nguluway DesignInc.

The building layout is efficient and adaptable. It can be configured as 3 or 4 storeys, with basement parking. It suits sites with slopes of up to 1.6 m and can be adapted to site lengths between 42 and 52 m.

Download to preview Small Lot Apartments 02 (PDF, 23.8 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 6-14
  • Bedrooms per dwelling1-3
  • Gross Floor Area (GFA) 642-1238 m2
  • Efficiency (NSA:GFA)81-89%
  • Parking spaces per building 5
  • zoom_in_map Minimum lot area 571-863 m²
  • Minimum lot width 13.6-16.6 m
  • Number of storeys 3-4
  • Floor-Space Ratio (FSR) 0.92:1-1.39:1
  • Livability rating (ABCB)Standard
  • Site gradient front to back0-1.66 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.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative street view, warm material palette and culturally responsive design adapts to many locations.
  • View into living room of apartment from the kitchen to the balcony with two people talking inside and another person sitting on the couch.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative interior view, open plan apartment interior filled with natural light designed for comfortable living.
  • View of sheltered communal area with people interacting and plants in foreground.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative communal view, welcoming communal space designed for connection, greenery and open circulation.
  • View of two people seated at a bench in the open foyer of this apartment building.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Illustrative view, communal ‘brackish’ space between apartments for residents to meet.
  • View of people socialising in the garden behind an apartment building with barbecue.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Illustrative garden view, communal open space with native garden connects to nature.
  • Street view of 4 storey apartment with two apartment blocks on left and right.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative front view, curved balconies and common spaces support outdoor living.

Floor plans

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

  • Architectural drawing of the ground floor plan including driveway and communal outdoor area.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Ground floor plan (not to scale), singular apartment is featured on the ground floor with landscaped surroundings.
  • Architectural drawing of the basement plan.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Basement floor plan (not to scale), secure underground parking for cars and bicycles via ramp access.
  • Architectural drawing of the second floor plan with highlight over the different bedroom types.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Second floor plan (not to scale), brackish spaces featured on every level outside apartments for connection.
  • Architectural drawing of the roof plan including solar panels.
    Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
    Roof floor plan (not to scale), including provision of solar panels.

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 02 by Nguluway DesignInc
Tap to explore

  • Fixed features
    • Country-centred design

      Two material options and an earthy colour palette respond to the Country where the building is located. 
    • ‘Brackish’ common space

      Communal areas on all levels comprise 28% of the site, supporting connection and community.
    • Diverse apartment mix

      A diverse apartment mix on each level suits a wide range of household types.
    • Generous interior layouts

      Light-filled interiors have generous, naturally-ventilated living areas.
    • Services and waste provisions

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

  • Flexible features
    • 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 lot with 3 m side setback
    • Site size and slope 

      The design adapts to site conditions including 0–1.66 m for slope (either up or down) and to longer site lengths up to 52 m.
    • Adaptable interiors

      Selected apartments can be adapted to Australian Standard 4299-1995 – Adaptable housing.
    • Furniture layouts

      Joinery elements are indicative and can be adapted to suit the end user.

Materials and character

The building’s modular design uses repeatable elements for efficiency and flexibility. Distinctive blade walls with angled window hoods capture light and views, while articulated balconies add depth and texture to the facade.

A choice of materials — including naturally finished aluminium, concrete and red brick — allows the design to adapt to different locations across NSW while maintaining a contemporary character. The materials are durable, easy to build with and locally appropriate. Colour options can be selected to reflect the tones of local clay and Country, helping the building sit comfortably in its surroundings.

Street view of 4 storey apartment with bricks.
Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
Variable coloured brick

Local brick in colours derived from the clay on Country.

Street view of 4 storey apartment with compressed fibre cement sheeting.
Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
Variable coloured cement sheeting

Compressed fibre cement sheeting coloured to match local clay.

Close up image of the metal balustrades, screens and awnings.
Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
Tonal metal details

Metal balustrades, screens, awnings, window frames in complementary tones.

Close up image of concrete core, slabs and retaining walls in similar tones to the primary material.
Credit: Nguluway DesignInc
Concrete elements

Concrete core, slabs and retaining walls in similar tones to primary material.

About the architect

Nguluway DesignInc is a joint venture partnership between DesignInc Sydney and Nguluway (Saltwater Studio), led by Wiradjuri Architect Craig Kerslake. This unique partnership fuses Indigenous design thinking with the technical capability and capacity of DesignInc, an architecture practice that delivers projects in several sectors including residential, commercial, infrastructure, education and public architecture. Nguluway DesignInc is a majority Indigenous-owned design practice that is Supply Nation Certified, and a NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce assured business.

For more of Nguluway DesignInc’s work, visit Nguluway DesignInc.

Meet the pattern book design team

Getting into the detail

Learn more about turning your pattern book project into reality with  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, an editable design verification statement and your unique identification number.

Purchase the pattern design