Celebrating a New Era in Housing Design – NSW Housing Pattern Book Released

This initiative, led by the Government Architect NSW, provides a suite of architecturally designed, pre-approved housing patterns for low- and mid-rise developments, including terraces, dual occupancies, and apartments up to six storeys.

By offering adaptable, climate-responsive, and cost-effective designs, the Pattern Book:
·        Supports faster planning approvals through a streamlined pathway – either through a Complying Development (CDC) if the designs are adopted or DA pathway if there are more site constraints such as bushfire
·        Encourages housing diversity in well-located areas
·        Promotes high-quality, liveable homes for all life stages
·        Helps councils and developers meet growing housing demand with confidence

Mecone is proud to have supported and contributed to the Low Mid Rise Policy work, as we see this as a game-changer for planning and housing delivery in NSW. It’s a practical tool that aligns with broader planning reforms and helps unlock the potential of our suburbs while maintaining design excellence.

The Mid-Rise Pattern Book, featuring apartment designs for buildings between 3 to 6 storeys, is currently in development and expected to launch in late 2025. This mid-rise component requires further refinement to address the greater design and planning complexity associated with higher-density forms.

In the meantime, the Low-Rise Pattern Book is being released first, as its designs already align with the NSW Government’s existing low-rise housing policy.

Mecone can help clients navigate the Pattern Book, whether through the fast-tracked complying development pathway or confirming it’s not possible due to zoning, heritage, or other constraints, or by guiding you through the development application process to deliver high-quality homes.

Congratulations again to Abbie and the Government Architect NSW team for this visionary work. We look forward to seeing these designs come to life across the State.

Learn more here: NSW Housing Pattern Book https://lnkd.in/gjHScyAa