New South Wales has taken another major step in its plan to rebalance the state’s housing supply, unveiling nine new architect designed mid rise apartment patterns that promise faster delivery of high quality homes across well located neighbourhoods.

The release marks the second phase of the Minns Government’s world leading NSW Housing Pattern Book, introduced to simplify design, cut planning delays and give councils, builders and developers a blueprint for delivering more diverse housing at speed. After a decade where housing delivery lagged population growth, the state is now trying to make up ground quickly.

The stakes are high. According to the NSW Productivity Commission, Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, largely due to affordability pressures and limited housing diversity. The government sees mid rise housing as a key part of reversing that trend.

A New Generation of Mid Rise Design

The nine new patterns are all between three and six storeys and sit alongside the eight low rise patterns released earlier this year. Each pattern has been developed by leading architectural firms from Australia and New Zealand and tailored to suit different sites and community contexts.

The collection includes four designs for small lots, three for large lots and two for corner lots. They are intended to be flexible, modern and easy to build, while meeting or exceeding the latest national standards, including the Australian Building Codes Board Liveable Housing Design Standard.

Importantly, all designs prioritise natural light, cross ventilation, solar access and energy efficiency. They also explore adaptable layouts that can meet changing needs across life stages, from young singles to downsizers and multigenerational families.

A Foundation for the State’s Low and Mid Rise Housing Policy

The new patterns are central to the government’s Low and Mid Rise Housing Policy, which aims to support the delivery of 112,000 homes across New South Wales in the next five years. That policy is designed to shift more housing supply into areas already well serviced by public transport, jobs and established communities.

Mid rise apartments have long been part of Sydney’s urban character, from classic Art Deco buildings to the red brick walk ups that still define many suburbs. The state’s planning system now intends to use pattern based design to modernise this form of housing and bring it back into the mainstream.

Premier Chris Minns says the strategy is about more than aesthetics. It is about unlocking supply quickly.

“These new housing patterns are a practical way we are delivering more homes for young people and families,” he said at the launch.

“We are leading the world with the use of pattern books to deliver high quality and affordable homes faster by cutting approval delays and making great design more accessible.”

Planning Reform Designed to Save Time

The mid rise patterns still require a development application, but the government has issued guidance that will allow councils to halve the average assessment timeframe when these designs are used.

New planning legislation, passed by Parliament last week, will go further. The mid rise pattern book is being prioritised for the state’s newly created targeted assessment pathway. This new pathway will streamline approvals and create a clear framework for builders and developers using the pre approved designs.

The aim is simple. Reduce uncertainty. Reduce time. Reduce cost.

For builders, developers and community housing providers already working in a tight market, this clarity is likely to be a significant incentive to adopt the patterns.

Price Accessible Architect Design

To make the designs even more attractive, the government is subsidising the purchase cost for the first six months.

Small lot and corner lot designs will cost 1500 dollars, while the large lot designs will cost 2500 dollars. Officials estimate this is roughly one percent of the usual price of an architect designed set of plans.

The pricing is intended to encourage not just large developers but small to medium builders, community housing providers and even mum and dad investors to use the patterns.

For the industry, this is a clear signal. Government wants these designs used widely and early.

Removing Barriers to Diverse Housing

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully says the objective is to reintroduce mid rise housing as a mainstream and trusted part of local neighbourhoods.

“Mid rise housing is built into our state’s story,” he said.

“These new patterns write a new chapter that is affordable, sustainable and full of character. By streamlining approvals and offering ready to build designs, we are removing barriers and helping more people access quality housing sooner.”

The emphasis on sustainability, natural light and energy performance reflects a long term shift in consumer expectation. Buyers increasingly want homes that are both functional and future proofed. The pattern book approach tries to solve this by creating designs that deliver quality from day one, rather than leaving it to chance.

Better Homes, Faster

The Government Architect NSW, Abbie Galvin, describes the mid rise patterns as a balance between compact living and neighbourhood character. She views the designs as a practical toolkit for increasing supply without sacrificing quality.

“Architecture plays a vital role in shaping places people want to live,” she said.

“We have curated designs that are beautiful, functional and easy to build. These designs will help more people move into homes that suit their lives sooner, while contributing positively to their communities.”

For builders, the ease of construction is a major point. The pattern book is intended to minimise complexity and ensure each design can be repeated efficiently across a range of sites.

What This Means for Builders and Developers

For The Good Builder audience, the implications are significant.

• More shovel ready projects.
• Less design risk.
• Clearer assessment pathways.
• Faster turnaround from concept to approval.
• Lower upfront design costs.

These factors could translate into smoother project pipelines, especially for builders working with community housing providers, developers or in emerging infill markets.

With NSW now approving homes fifteen percent faster than the former government and more homes under construction than any other state, the mid rise pattern book may become a central lever for sustaining that momentum.

A Turning Point for NSW Housing

The release of the new mid rise patterns signals a broader cultural shift. Where planning systems once slowed development through complexity, the state is now embracing design standardisation, digital access and predictable pathways.

The challenge ahead will be ensuring councils apply the streamlined processes consistently, and that industry has the confidence to adopt the designs at scale.

But the direction is clear. NSW wants more homes built quickly, affordably and without compromising architectural quality. The pattern book is shaping up to be one of the state’s most important tools for achieving that balance.

Author: TGB Editorial