Architects from across the world and Australia are fighting it out to have their designs shape the face of our suburbs with entries to the Pattern Book design competition exceeding expectations.
The competition has attracted 212 entries, with 176 from Australia and 36 coming in from Europe, the UK, Asia, Africa, the US and South America.
The Opera House international design competition attracted 230 entries and the new housing Pattern Book is not far behind, setting the bar for good designs to shape the housing future of Sydney and NSW.
In addition to good designs, anyone who uses a pre-approved design from the new Pattern Book will get access to a fast-track through the planning system so construction can get underway more quickly.
That means keys in doors faster while maintaining high standards, with the NSW Government Architect's stamp of approval.
The Pattern Book competition complements the biggest planning reforms NSW has seen in a generation as part of the Minns Labor Government's efforts to confront the housing crisis.
With housing the largest cost of living issue facing the people of NSW, the Pattern Book will help add more diversity of housing types in our towns and suburbs.
This way young families can choose a home for their growing families, while downsizers have more choice to stay in the communities they love and have helped build.
These new designs will not only help to build houses, they will build communities as more people get into homes that will suit them through the different stages of life.
These are homes for people who open businesses, have families, build our communities, volunteer and contribute to local economy.
The next phase of the competition will be to select 15 professional and six student competitors to move through to Stage 2 with the next milestone to be announced early September.
Design submissions will be due by Friday 11 October 2024.
Learn more about the Pattern Book Design Competition.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
"In some great news for those trying to get into a home, architects and students of NSW and the world have embraced this home design competition.
"We have had a record turn-out from our Australian architects but I am also pleased to see entries from Spain, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, UK, US, Canada, Colombia, South Africa, India and Iran.
"With 171 expressions of interest submitted by professional architects and 41 from architecture students, this is an opportunity for all designers to create homes for the future.
"Sydney and NSW need affordable, quality and sustainable homes.
"I hope these designs respond to our climate and our lifestyle, are sustainable and improve energy, thermal and water efficiency.
"The Pattern Book will be a useful resource for industry, architects, planners, councils and the community for years to come."
