In a major push to tackle the state’s housing shortage and rising construction costs, the New South Wales government has released a “pattern book” offering professionally designed home plans for as little as $1.
Premier Chris Minns unveiled the initiative on Wednesday, highlighting its potential to streamline approvals and make high-quality design accessible to more residents. The book includes eight housing designs ranging from terraces to duplexes and manor homes developed by well-regarded firms such as Sam Crawford Architects, Carter Williamson Architects, Saha, and Anthony Gill Architects.
“These designs give people more choice, faster approvals, and affordable, high-quality homes,” Minns said. “Whether you’re a first homebuyer, a growing family, or downsizing, this is about making good housing more attainable.”
For the first six months, the plans will be sold for $1 before reverting to a standard price of $1,000 a fraction of the usual $20,000-plus cost for custom architectural plans. The designs focus on energy efficiency, straightforward construction methods, and flexibility to suit different family needs.
The project stems from a 2024 design competition aimed at encouraging medium-density developments, such as terraces and townhouses, as part of broader planning reforms. Under new zoning rules, these types of housing can be built within 800 metres of transport and retail hubs without the need for complex approvals.
While the specifics of the fast-track process are still being finalised with local councils, the government confirmed that the designs will qualify for a complying development certificate (CDC) a pathway that typically allows construction approval within 10 to 20 days, with minimal paperwork or neighbour consultations.
Planning Minister Paul Scully drew a historical parallel, saying: “Much of Sydney was built on pattern books. They look great, they’re simple and cost-effective.”
Sam Crawford, one of the contributing architects, said the aim was to create homes that reflected the charm of traditional terraces while adapting to modern needs. His firm’s design includes flowing interiors, accessible hallways, and a flexible garage space that can function as a studio or bedroom.
Another featured design, by Saha, envisions a townhouse model that can be built in groups of four, each with its own entrance and yard. The layout lends itself to both prefabricated and conventional construction techniques.
“It’s a small-scale, modular design,” said Saha partner Harry Catterns. “Ideal for young families and perfect for infill developments.”
While the pattern book homes may not beat the price of mass-produced project homes, they are expected to offer significant savings estimated between 5% and 17% compared to fully bespoke architectural builds.
The pattern book will also include landscaping advice tailored to different regions of NSW, with a focus on native plants and climate-appropriate design.
By making high-quality plans widely available and easier to approve, the Minns government hopes to kickstart new construction and ease the pressure on the housing market across the state.
