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NSW Housing Pattern Book winning designs highlight affordability and sustainability.
The NSW Government has announced the winners of the NSW Housing Pattern Book Design Competition, publishing six designs aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis by expediting the construction of adaptable, sustainable, and affordable homes.
The competition featured 212 entries from Australia and abroad, with a shortlist of 21 designs advancing to the final stage. The winners include five professional entries and one student submission across terrace and mid-rise housing categories.
Premier Chris Minns said, “The Design Competition called for world-class, high-quality designs, and the winners have certainly delivered. These beautifully designed mid-rise apartments and terraces are the future of housing in NSW.”
The initiative is part of the Minns Government’s plan to combat the housing shortfall by creating designs that can be quickly approved through an accelerated planning pathway.
Professional and Student Winners
In the terrace housing category, professional winners included:
Housing is a Verb – A collaboration of Other Architects, NMBW Architecture Studio, and TARN from NSW and Victoria.
Officer Woods Architects – Western Australia.
In the student category, the winning terrace design was submitted by:
In Common Studio – A team from The University of Sydney comprising Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh, and Catherine Taylor.
For mid-rise housing, professional winners included:
Andrew Burges Architects – NSW.
Neeson Murcutt Neille, Finding Infinity, and Monash Urban Lab – A team from NSW and Victoria.
Spacecraft Architects – New Zealand.
The designs were praised for their adaptability, environmental sustainability, and ability to meet the needs of modern living while incorporating elements suited to Australia’s climate, such as natural ventilation and shaded outdoor spaces.
Next Steps for the Winning Designs
The six winning designs will be constructed on five government-owned sites managed by Homes NSW, Landcom, and Sydney Olympic Park Authority. These prototypes will allow the public to explore the designs in person before the official launch of the NSW Housing Pattern Book in mid-2025.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully commented, “These homes will have access to a fast-track pathway, which means the delivery of more well-built homes, faster. The designs bridge the gap between detached houses and high-rise apartments, filling a critical gap in our housing options.”
The competition jury, chaired by Government Architect NSW Abbie Galvin, included a panel of five international design experts endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects.
“The quality of entries was extremely high both at the Expressions of Interest stage and among the shortlisted candidates. The architects behind the six entries stood out with their thoughtful, innovative, and well-integrated designs,” Galvin remarked.
Public Voting and Pattern Book Launch
The public will soon have the chance to vote for their favourite design on the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure website. Voting is set to begin later this month, with the most popular design to be announced early next year.
All professional winners will refine their designs in collaboration with Government Architect NSW to meet standards required for inclusion in the Pattern Book.
Once launched, the NSW Housing Pattern Book will allow builders to adopt these pre-approved designs, ensuring a faster transition from approval to construction.
