Entries for the NSW pattern book housing design competition 'exceed expectations'

The ongoing NSW pattern book design competition open to Australian and international architects has attracted hundreds of entries, with the NSW government describing the response to the competition as "exceeding expectations."

The competition seeks to increase the supply of quality and improve the diversity of low- and mid-rise housing through designs that can easily be replicated. The endorsed designs will be contained within a pattern book and will qualify for expedited development approval.

The competition has received 212 expressions of interests, 176 from Australia and 36 from Europe, the UK, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. This is only 18 entries less than the Sydney Opera House international design competition, which attracted 230 entries.

Among the expressions of interest were 171 submitted by professional architects and 41 from architecture students. With the expression of interest phase now complete, the next stage will involve selecting 15 professional practices and six students to progress to stage two.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said Sydney and NSW need affordable, quality and sustainable homes.

"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," Scully said. "The pattern book will be a useful resource for industry, architects, planners, councils and the community for years to come."

He added that the designs which respond to climate and are sustainable, as well as improve energy, thermal and water efficicency will be looked upon favourably.

Shortlisted nominees will be announced in early September 2024, with final designs to be submitted by 11 October 2024. To find out more about the competition, visit the website.