Sydney Building Designer
Council-Ready Plans for New Homes, Extensions and Duplexes
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We help you plan your custom new home, extension, heritage renovation or duplex project with clear advice from concept to DA or CDC lodgement. We guide the approval pathway and turn your ideas into practical, buildable plans.
30
Years' Experience
25+ Awards
Accredited Designer
ABOUT US
Distinct Innovations is a BDAA-Accredited Building Design studio based in Sydney’s Hills District, servicing Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Illawarra.
With more than 30 years of experience, we prepare custom home designs, architectural drafting, DA and CDC documentation, Construction Certificate drawings and sustainable design solutions for residential projects across NSW.
Clients choose us for practical planning advice, buildable design, personalised service and hands-on building experience from concept through to approval documentation. Having designed and built our own family homes, we bring a first-hand understanding of the costs and decisions involved in your project, helping us guide you through the process with practical care and foresight.
From luxury acreage residences to complex knockdown rebuilds, our custom homes are tailored to your site, lifestyle and budget. We combine our planning expertise to create spaces that are practical, compliant and built for long-term value. From your initial concept through to council lodgement, we prepare all required documentation to move your project toward construction.
Whether you are expanding your living space, capturing views or modernising an existing property, our extensions are designed to improve functionality, natural light and everyday living. Projects range from rear and ground-floor additions to substantial upper-storey extensions and outdoor entertainment spaces across Sydney. Careful planning ensures the new work integrates seamlessly with the existing home while meeting strict council requirements.
Heritage projects require a clear understanding of conservation controls, heritage overlays, Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs). Our approach balances contemporary family living with respect for the architectural character of the original home. We provide heritage-sensitive design, coordinate your Heritage Impact Statement and manage council liaison to secure a clear submission pathway, preserving the qualities that make your property unique.
A knockdown rebuild allows you to create a home tailored to your lifestyle and future needs, while remaining in the location you already love. We respond to sloping blocks, narrow frontages, acreage properties and complex planning controls, delivering practical, site-specific outcomes rather than standard builder solutions. Each project includes comprehensive, council-ready documentation.
Designing in bushfire-prone areas requires specialist knowledge of BAL ratings, Flame Zone requirements, planning controls and construction standards. We combine bushfire-responsive design with passive solar principles to improve comfort, energy efficiency and long-term building performance. Our portfolio includes homes designed for BAL-40 and BAL-FZ sites, demonstrating how strong architectural outcomes can be achieved while meeting NSW's most demanding bushfire requirements.
Dual occupancies, duplexes and townhouse projects require careful consideration of planning controls, site constraints, market expectations and neighbourhood character.
Our focus is on efficient layouts, strong street presentation and practical building outcomes that maximise the potential of the site.
From initial feasibility through to council lodgement, we manage the technical documentation required to progress your project from a blank concept to construction-ready plans.
Navigating DA, CDC and NSW Planning Portal requirements can be one of the most difficult parts of a residential project.
Distinct Innovations provides planning review, architectural drafting, documentation coordination and lodgement support to help projects move through council or private certifier pathways with fewer avoidable delays.
A well-prepared application can reduce redesign, clarify approval requirements and give builders, consultants and homeowners a more coordinated set of documents before construction begins.
Every residential project starts with a clear design consultation to understand the site, budget, planning controls and your brief. We then develop a practical concept strategy, balancing layout, lifestyle, council requirements and buildability. Our process guides your project through each stage with clear planning, accurate drawings and coordinated support, ensuring you are ready for lodgement and construction.
Trusted by Sydney homeowners for complex DA approval applications, custom homes and heritage extensions.
"Achieved a successful DA approval in a heritage and conservation area. No small feat with our local council."
Brad, Creewood III House
Heritage Extension
"Luke took our home from ‘lovely’ to ‘WOW,’ striking the perfect balance between heritage sensitivity and modern design."
Sean & Tabitha, Creewood I House
Heritage Extension
Service Areas for Building Design & Architectural Drafting
Our work spans Greater Sydney and selected regional NSW locations, with projects including custom homes, heritage extensions, renovations and complex DA applications in the following areas:
The Hills District
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Castle Hill
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Baulkham Hills
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Kellyville
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Bella Vista
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Dural
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Kenthurst
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Glenorie
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Annangrove
North Shore
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Mosman
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Wahroonga
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Turramurra
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Beecroft
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Epping
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Lane Cove
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Gordon
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Lindfield
Inner West
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Haberfield
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Concord
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Leichhardt
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Stanmore
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Strathfield
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Burwood
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Annandale
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Marrickville
Greater Sydney & Regional
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Penrith
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Parramatta
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Blacktown
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Blue Mountains
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Lake Macquarie
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Central Coast
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Newcastle
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Wollongong