Building Designer & Architectural Drafting FAQ Sydney

No, I am not a builder. I am your design and planning partner. My job is to prepare the high-detail plans and technical documentation you need for council approvals and construction. Keeping the design and build phases separate gives you full control. Once the design is complete, you can take the plans to multiple builders to compare quotes ensuring you find a contractor that fits your style, budget and quality expectations.

I provide building design and architectural drafting services throughout Greater Sydney and Regional NSW. I work regularly across the Hills District (Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Dural, Kenthurst), the North Shore (Mosman, Wahroonga, Turramurra, Beecroft, Lane Cove, Gordon, Lindfield), the Inner West (Haberfield, Concord, Leichhardt, Stanmore, Strathfield, Burwood, Annandale, Marrickville), and across Greater Sydney including Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, and the Blue Mountains. I also take on projects along the coast and regional NSW, from Newcastle and Central Coast in the north down to Wollongong in the Illawara in the South. If you're unsure whether I cover your area, get in touch - if your project is the right fit, I'll travel to you.

Yes! Dual occupancy and duplex design is a significant part of my work and one I find particularly rewarding. These projects require careful planning from the start: understanding how the block can be subdivided, what each dwelling needs to achieve individually, and how both homes relate to each other and the streetscape. A recent example is a large block in Beecroft where we managed a full subdivision, designing a single storey home on one lot and a double storey home on the adjoining lot. Each tailored to its orientation, outlook, and planning controls. For that project we also produced a complete Schedule of Finishes for each of the homes giving the developer a full project portfolio to hand to their builder covering exactly how every finish, fixture, and fitting should be specified and installed. This meant the builder could quote and work from a single, authoritative document. I handle the complete design and documentation for DA or CDC submission, including any subdivision applications, across Sydney and Regional NSW. If you have a block you think has dual occupancy potential, I'm happy to assess it.

Yes. Under the NSW Housing SEPP, a secondary dwelling can be built on most residential lots of 450sqm or more, with a maximum internal floor area of 60sqm. Done well, a custom designed granny flat can add meaningful value to your property and provide flexible accommodation for family members or rental income. The key to a good outcome is design that genuinely integrates with your existing home in materials, scale, and layout rather than feeling like a bolt-on addition. I handle the full design and documentation for custom secondary dwellings, including CDC and DA submissions, ensuring compliance with the Housing SEPP and your local council's requirements from the start. If you're considering a granny flat, get in touch and I can assess whether your block is eligible and what's realistically achievable.

Yes. I have extensive experience achieving council approvals for heritage projects all over Sydney, particularly in Epping, Leichhardt, Concord, Strathfield, and Burwood. I specialise in preserving the character of Federation and Victorian homes while adding seamless, modern rear extensions. My heritage work has been recognised with multiple national and state awards: Salt St House (2025) Winner, Best Heritage and Finalist, Alterations & Additions, BDAA National Design Awards Strathfield House (2017)  Winner, Residential Interiors and Commendation, Alterations & Additions $500k & Over, BDAA National Awards Creewood House (2013) Winner, Heritage/Adaptive Reuse; Winner, Alterations & Additions up to $250K; Winner, Paul Dass Memorial Award (the highest award achievable at BDA) BDA NSW. Winner, Best New Development Involving Heritage Canada Bay City Council Design Awards. Featured in The Daily Telegraph Home Magazine. Excelsior St House (2012)  Winner, Residential Alterations & Additions over $250K, BDA NSW. Featured in Winning Design Magazine.

Yes. I am recognized in high-risk bushfire design, specializing in homes that are safe and aesthetically pleasing. I understand how to navigate RFS requirements using non-combustible materials.   My expertise is demonstrated by my Mount Riverview project, another National Award Winner designed to BAL-40 standards, and my work in Beecroft dual home development - BeecroftA and BeecroftB which balance bushfire compliance with heritage restrictions.

Most residential projects in Sydney typically take around 3 to 6 months to progress from initial concept design through to final approval.   The design and drafting phase usually takes around 4–8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the home and how quickly design decisions are finalised. Once the drawings are complete, the approval process is lodged through the NSW Planning Portal and assessed by either a private certifier (for CDC applications) or the local council (for DA applications). Approval timeframes can vary, but generally range from 2 to 12+ weeks, depending on the pathway chosen and the workload and assessment timeframes of the relevant local council or certifier.

It depends on your site, planning controls, and whether the proposed design complies with NSW planning standards. A CDC (Complying Development Certificate) is a fast-track approval for projects that meet strict state planning rules under the NSW Housing Code. It is typically assessed by a private certifier and can often be approved within 2–5 weeks. A DA (Development Application) is a merit-based assessment lodged through the NSW Planning Portal and assessed by your local council. It allows more flexibility in design but usually takes longer, commonly 2–4 months or more depending on council workload.

With a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Design, I ensure your home is engineered for performance.   Meeting the stricter BASIX and 7-star NatHERS standards in 2026 requires smart Passive Solar design. In simple terms, I optimize orientation for the sun and cross-ventilation to create a home that is naturally comfortable and significantly cheaper to run.

Yes. I prepare all documentation required for the NSW Planning Portal. I have extensive experience in councils right across Sydney including The Hills District, Hornsby, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, the Inner West, Canada Bay and the Blue Mountains. I ensure your project is compliant with local LEPs and DCPs from the start.