NSW Pattern Book Design Competition winners announced

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Winning terrace design by Housing is a Verb – a collaborative team including Other Architects, NMBW Architecture Studio and Tarn.

Winning terrace design by Housing is a Verb – a collaborative team including Other Architects, NMBW Architecture Studio and Tarn. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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Winning terrace design by Officer Woods Architects with Jennie Officer, University of Western Australia.

Winning terrace design by Officer Woods Architects with Jennie Officer, University of Western Australia. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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Winning student design by In Common Studio – Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh and Catherine Taylor from the University of Sydney, NSW.

Winning student design by In Common Studio – Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh and Catherine Taylor from the University of Sydney, NSW. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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Winning mid-rise apartment design by Andrew Burges Architects.

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Andrew Burges Architects. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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Winning mid-rise apartment design by Neeson Murcutt Neille, Finding Infinity and Monash Urban Lab.

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Neeson Murcutt Neille, Finding Infinity and Monash Urban Lab. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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Winning mid-rise apartment design by Spacecraft Architects.

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Spacecraft Architects. Image: Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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The six winning proposals will shape the future of Australian housing by providing templates for streamlined planning approval within NSW.

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:

Housing is a Verb – a collaborative team including Other Architects, NMBW Architecture Studio and Tarn – NSW and Vic

Officer Woods Architects with Jennie Officer, University of Western Australia – WA

Winning terrace design by Officer Woods Architects with Jennie Officer, University of Western Australia. Image:  Courtesy of the New South Wales government

In the student category:

In Common Studio – Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh and Catherine Taylor from The University of Sydney, NSW

Winning student design by In Common Studio – Madeleine Gallagher, Poppy Brown, Kangyun Kim, Paris Perry, John Suh and Catherine Taylor from the University of Sydney, NSW. Image:  Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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

Andrew Burges Architects – NSW

Neeson Murcutt Neille, Finding Infinity and Monash Urban Lab – NSW and Vic

Spacecraft Architects – New Zealand

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Andrew Burges Architects. Image:  Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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.

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Neeson Murcutt Neille, Finding Infinity and Monash Urban Lab. Image:  Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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.

Winning mid-rise apartment design by Spacecraft Architects. Image:  Courtesy of the New South Wales government

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.

This story by Lucia Amies was originally published on ArchitectureAu.com 15 November 2024. For regular news and insight into architecture in Australia, subscribe to their newsletter.


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