NSW Pattern Book Design Competition winners announced

The NSW government has revealed the winning designs of the state's Pattern Book Design Competition, targeting templates for innovative and adaptable homes. Six designs, comprising three terraces and three mid-rise apartments, have been selected from a shortlist of 12 proposals.

In the professional category, the terrace winners are:

In the student category:

In the professional category, the mid-rise apartment winners are:

According to a media communique from the state government, "The winning designs were picked because of their accessibility, adaptability to changing lifestyle needs, affordability and environmental sustainability."

"They respond to the unique Australian climate, including a focus on indoor and outdoor living and how to incorporate shade and ventilation," the statement reads.

Chaired by NSW government architect Abbie Galvin, the five-person jury comprised architect, urban designer and 2024 gold medallist Philip Thalis; 2024 AIA National Emerging Architect Prize winner Jennifer McMaster; architect and Indigenous spatial expert Michael Mossman, and international architect Paul Karakusevic, based in the UK.

Galvin commented, "The architects behind the six entries stood out from a tough field of architects from Australia and around the world with their thoughtful, innovative and well-integrated designs."

"The homes in their designs will enhance living standards, be an asset to our neighbourhoods and can be readily adopted across NSW," she said.

All five professional winners will work with the government architect to refine the designs for inclusion within the NSW Housing Pattern Book, which is expected to launch in mid-2025. The Pattern Book will provide the public access to the designs, which will be accepted within a streamlined planning approval pathway.

According to minister for planning and public spaces Paul Scully, the Pattern Book and fast-track DA process will go a long way to reintroduce variety within Australian housing, in which "we have less housing diversity today than we did 100 years ago."

The designs will be constructed on five state-owned sites from Homes NSW, Landcom and Sydney Olympic Park Authority, allowing the public to experience the projects first-hand.

The public is also invited to vote for their favourite design on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure website. The most popular proposal from the winning designs will be announced early 2025.