As Sydney grapples with an ongoing housing shortage, the push for more affordable homes has sparked a debate about the role of standardised designs in urban development. The New South Wales Housing Pattern Book, which introduces pre-approved designs for various types of housing, aims to streamline construction and make housing delivery faster and more cost-effective.
Read: Surry Hills Warehouse to Become $500m Apartment Complex
However, for areas like Surry Hills, known for its unique blend of heritage terraces, modern apartments, and vibrant arts scene, the introduction of these standardised designs raises important questions about how they might impact the character of the neighbourhood.
The NSW Housing Pattern Book includes designs for terraces, semi-detached homes, and mid-rise apartment buildings, all intended to speed up construction processes. While these plans address the need for more housing, their uniformity may not be suitable for every community, particularly in areas like Surry Hills, where the character is defined by a mix of old and new.
The rapid gentrification of the area has already seen significant changes to its landscape, and the introduction of more generic housing options could risk further altering the neighbourhood’s unique charm.
While the intention behind these designs is to provide affordable housing solutions quickly, critics argue that they may not fully meet the diverse needs of Surry Hills’ residents. The area is home to a wide demographic, from young professionals and families to retirees, and the challenge is whether a one-size-fits-all approach can truly cater to the variety of housing needs without compromising the neighbourhood’s character or residents’ quality of life.
Adapting Standardisation to Local Needs
Architect Amelia Holliday, whose studio in Surry Hills was shortlisted in a recent NSW Pattern Book competition, understands the delicate balance between innovation and tradition. While her studio’s entry didn’t win, Holliday appreciates the competition’s potential to foster collaboration across industries.
She believes that architects have a critical role in ensuring that new housing developments remain functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sensitive to the existing urban context. For Surry Hills, this means adapting the standardised designs to maintain the neighbourhood’s distinct character, while also meeting the pressing demand for affordable housing.
By incorporating local design elements and considering the area’s architectural heritage, developers and architects can ensure that new housing complements, rather than disrupts, the existing streetscape. In Surry Hills, where heritage terraces stand side by side with modern apartment blocks, there is potential to create housing that reflects both the historical and contemporary nature of the community.
Read: Mixed Reactions as Surry Hills Development Moves Forward
Meanwhile, the design teams are collaborating and conducting consistent design reviews to ensure the patterns meet the required standards for inclusion in the NSW Housing Pattern Book.
The low- and mid-rise architects’ designs will be combined with the winning designs from the NSW Housing Pattern Book Design Competition to form the NSW Housing Pattern Book, which will be available for use in mid-to-late 2025.
Published 10-April-2025