The New South Wales government has launched a housing pattern book featuring eight architect-designed blueprints for townhouses, terraces, and manor houses. These designs, created by renowned firms like Sam Crawford Architects and Carter Williamson Architects, will be available for $1 for the first six months and then for $1,000. The designs aim to provide affordable housing solutions with fast-tracked planning approvals, sustainability, ease of construction, and cost-effectiveness in mind. They can be adjusted to fit a family’s needs and are eligible for a complying development certificate (CDC), which allows for approval within 10 to 20 days.
The pattern book is expected to boost the state’s sluggish housing construction rates and alleviate cost-of-living pressures. According to Sam Crawford, director of Sam Crawford Architects, the pattern book has the potential to “democratise good design”. The designs include features such as flow between spaces, wider hallways for accessibility, and adaptable spaces, including garages that can be converted into studios or ground-level bedrooms. Using these designs is expected to save between 5% and 17% in building costs compared to custom architectural plans.
The designs will come with a landscape guide offering advice on appropriate native plants and designs depending on the latitude of the site. Chris Minns, the New South Wales Premier, said, “For too long, too many people in NSW have been locked out of the housing market by rising cost and a system that made it too hard to build. We’re changing that.” Paul Scully, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, noted that “much of Sydney was built on pattern books. They look great, they’re simple and cost-effective.”
Image Courtesy: The Guardian
