Enabling and removing barriers to the supply of diverse housing options.

The NSW Housing Pattern Book is a collection of designs aimed at making designs more accessible, to accelerate the development of high-quality, affordable housing sustainable housing.

The pattern designs support standardisation, increasing opportunities to utilise modern methods of construction such as prefabrication. This results in simpler building designs that reduce reliance on specialist skilled labour, which can be difficult to source, particularly in regional locations.

The availability of patterns assists with removing barriers to the supply of diverse housing options across NSW.

There are low- and mid-rise design patterns with variations and adaptations to suit a specific site or preference. Low-rise pattern designs are for semi-detached houses, terraces, row homes and manor homes. Mid-rise pattern designs are for apartment buildings of 3-6 storeys. The design patterns are accompanied by a landscape design guide.

The patterns are endorsed by NSW Government and are eligible for a fast-tracked planning approval process.

What we did

Atlas assisted the NSW Government understand the potential cost savings associated with use of the low- and mid-rise pattern designs. These include cost savings through reduced holding costs, professional fees and ultimately investment certainty associated with an accelerated planning pathway.

The outcome

The low-rise patterns were launched in July 2025, followed by the mid-rise patterns in November 2025. The NSW Housing Pattern Book is now available for use and eligible for a fast-tracked planning approval process.