$1 homes set to change Sydney landscape

One of the approved home designs from a NSW “pattern book”, available for $1. Picture: Anthony Gill Architects

The Minns Government has launched a “pattern book” of pre-approved house designs intended to provide an accelerated pathway for the approval of new low-rise houses.

Homes built following the eights designs in the pattern book will only take 10 days to get approval and will bypass much of the council red tape that’s contributed to significant housing backlogs.

The designs range from terraces, townhouses and manor homes and will cost $1,000 to use, but the NSW government has promised to charge just $1 for those using the designs over the first six months of the program.

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There are also designs for townhouses. Picture: Sam Crawford Architects

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the designs would be available for $1 over the first six months. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

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A media release announcing the designs revealed that these charges will help those building new homes bypass an estimated $20,000 in fees for custom architecture.

The announcement follows the launch of an international pattern book design competition in 2024, with the state government endorsing eight designs for families, young people and downsizers.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister of Planning Spaces Paul Scully revealed that the designs were aimed at accelerating the development of affordable and sustainable housing.

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The government claims the designs will create vibrant communities. Picture: Studio Johnston,

Each design will be adaptable for different family sizes and housing needs, including different room formations and layout. The government claimed in the release that this would help create vibrant diverse communities.

Each design purchase will come with a complimentary Landscape Pattern to help new homeowners design gardens.

“This Pattern Book is about giving people more choice, faster approvals and affordable, high-quality homes – whether you’re a young person trying to get in, a family needing more space, or a downsizer looking to stay close to the community you know,” Mr Minns stated in the release.

“This is a practical step to make the housing system fairer – and make sure NSW remains a place where the next generation can live and thrive.”

Terraces 02 by Sam Crawford Architects is a multi-dwelling housing terrace included in the pattern book. Picture: Sam Crawford Architects

The delivery of homes through the pattern book is further supported by the Minns Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aimed to make terraces, townhouses and

manor houses broadly permissible across NSW.

“Much of Sydney was built on pattern books,” Mr Scully said. “These designs offer choice, with less complexity, making it easier to build homes in NSW.”

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