Imagine being able to purchase architect-designed blueprints for a new home for just $1, with the guarantee of council approval within a short span of 10 to 20 days. This vision is now a reality with the release of New South Wales’ state housing pattern book by Premier Chris Minns. The book features eight detailed designs for townhouses, terraces, and manor houses, sourced from internationally recognized architectural firms, including Sam Crawford Architects, Carter Williamson Architects, Saha, and Anthony Gill Architects.
These affordable designs, available for $1 for the first six months and then for $1,000, are adaptable to cater to a family’s specific needs. Created with sustainability, ease of construction, and cost-effectiveness in mind, the plans offer a significant contrast to custom architectural plans, which can cost upwards of $20,000.
The designs are also streamlined for an application for a complying development certificate (CDC), which ensures approval within 10 to 20 days by councils with minimal paperwork and less neighborhood consultation. This initiative is part of the government’s plan to boost the state’s housing construction rates and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures, particularly through changes to zoning laws that allow denser developments in areas close to transport and shopping hubs without complex approval processes.
Plans are already available, with detailed visualizations and adaptability options showcasing how Raymond Terrace-inspired designs can integrate into modern living. The pattern book is poised to democratize good design, making it an intriguing alternative to both custom architect-designed builds and project homes.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/16/architectural-home-designs-for-1-nsw-releases-housing-pattern-book-aimed-at-boosting-construction
