The future of Sydney housing: $1 architect-designed homes

The NSW Government has today launched the NSW Housing Pattern Book: a suite of eight architect-designed low- and mid-rise housing patterns, now available to the public for just $1.

The initiative, led by the Government Architect NSW, is part of a wider strategy to ease planning bottlenecks and reduce the cost of new housing, particularly in Sydney’s high-pressure market.

These pattern homes, comprising terraces, townhouses, and low-rise apartment buildings (including manor homes), have been pre-approved for a fast-tracked “complying development” pathway, slashing traditional planning delays.

“For too long, too many people in NSW have been locked out of the housing market by rising costs and a system that made it too hard to build. We’re changing that,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns.

“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,” Minns said.

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

For the next six months, the designs are available for $1 each, after which the price will rise to $1,000, which is still a fraction of the $15,000 to $25,000 typically spent on architecturally designed plans.

From July 30, these homes will be eligible for a complying development certificate, allowing builders to bypass lengthy council DAs and receive approvals in as little as 10 to 20 days.

Architect-approved design sets

The eight featured designs were selected through a national design competition and authored by award-winning practices. Anthony Gill Architects, Carter Williamson, and Studio Johnston are some of the low-rise architects, while MHN Design Union, Nguluway DesignInc, and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer are some of the mid-rise architects.

Each pattern incorporates key principles of sustainability, well-designed floorplans, and adaptability for people’s changing needs. If need be, the patterns can be adapted to different sites, locations, even steep Sydney blocks, and family size.

The pattern book also includes guidance on landscaping, solar access, and materials..

“I am excited to be able to share these patterns that can be used by the development industry, architects, planners, councils and communities,” said Government Architect NSW’s Abbie Galvin.

The Pattern Book forms part of a wider policy reset by the Minns government, which also includes density reforms near transport hubs, a $1 billion development guarantee, and a target of 377,000 new homes by mid-2029. A newly established Housing Delivery Office will coordinate the rollout, including state-led pilot projects on government-owned land.

The Labor government is also pushing for urban infill, including rezoning, around 171 suburbs, opening the door to medium-density developments such as terraces, townhouses, and apartment buildings of up to six storeys. This is part of their plans to ease a housing supply shortage that is helping to drive up prices.

You can find the NSW Housing Pattern Book here.

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