Housing remains the single biggest cost of living pressure people across NSW are facing with a recent NSW Productivity Commission report finding that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, putting us at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren.

This once in a generation opportunity to confront the housing crisis will mean the winning designs used by developers will have access to an accelerated approval pathway.

The accelerated pathway will allow builders to have homes approved and built faster, providing homes to those who need them sooner.

The competition jury will be chaired by the NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin and is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects.

The jury is looking for designs which are liveable, buildable, replicable, cost effective, sustainable and that meet the needs of the industry and local communities.

Highlighting the NSW Government’s commitment to this Pattern Book, final designs will initially be built by the government on five sites provided by Homes NSW, Landcom and Sydney Olympic Park.

This will allow people across New South Wales to see the physical homes contained in the patten book while providing winning architects with the opportunity to see their designs in built form.

To apply, registered architects and students must express their interest to take part and design a terrace house or mid-rise apartment building.

Short-listed candidates will then submit detailed designs with the winners to be announced later this year.

The competition opens on 2 July 2024 and the final Pattern Book will be launched in 2025.

This initiative builds on the Government’s plans to build better homes for NSW having already undertaken the single largest rezoning of land in NSW history, while also making the largest investment in the building of homes by a NSW Government since federation.

To learn more about the Pattern Book Design Competition or to submit an EOI visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pattern-book-design-competition

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This competition provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australia and the world’s best architects to play a central role in addressing the housing crisis our state is facing.

“Pattern books have been used in NSW by architects and builders since the 19th century, and we’re committed to using these new designs to deliver more homes faster for those who need them.

“These designs will offer ease of approvals for builders while delivering quality homes that shape our city’s future.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Our planning reforms to low and mid rise housing are fundamental to the Pattern Book competition and will provide diversity of housing for our diverse community.

“Anyone who uses one of the pre-approved designs will have access to a faster development assessment pathway which will save builders, developers and homeowners time and money.

“The NSW Government Architect is working closely with our valued partners the Australian Institute of Architects, Regional Architects Association, Housing NOW! and other industry stakeholders so that the patterns cater to accessibility and gaps in the market – such as intergenerational housing and family friendly housing.”

Government Architect NSW Abbie Galvin said:

“Design competitions provide us the privilege of hearing from the deep and diverse talent in the design industry. We look forward to seeing the creativity and skills of architects from around the world contribute innovative designs for the Pattern Book and have the opportunity for these designs to be built as demonstration projects.

“Good housing design goes beyond just the look of a building and its architectural style.

“Thoughtful design can add to a better quality of life and improve our streets and neighbourhoods.

“The development of low-and-mid-rise housing patterns will support our reforms to build up and not out, with more diverse housing close to transport, green space, amenities and jobs.

“The Pattern Book will be a useful resource for industry, architects, planners, councils and the community.”