Expert Building Design in Akuna Bay

Akuna Bay, a hidden gem in the Northern Beaches, offers a tranquil waterfront lifestyle surrounded by lush bushland and the serene waters of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Known for its marina, secluded setting, and large lots, it’s perfect for those seeking a private retreat with easy access to boating and nature. Akuna Bay is ideal for custom homes that blend luxury with the area’s unique environmental beauty.

At DMR Designs, we provide expert drafting services, council approval assistance, and building design in Akuna Bay. Whether you’re envisioning a waterfront luxury home, a sustainable extension, or a multi-generational residence, our designs meet Northern Beaches Council requirements and reflect your vision for coastal living.

We proudly serve Akuna Bay with bespoke, environmentally sensitive designs tailored for waterfront properties, privacy, and seamless integration with the natural landscape.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Akuna Bay?

  • Waterfront Luxury Layouts: Maximize views, light, and indoor-outdoor flow

  • Custom Designs for Bushland and Waterfront: Respectful of terrain and vegetation

  • Future-Proof Homes: Built for today with adaptability for tomorrow

  • Full DA or CDC Management: We streamline every stage of approval

  • Energy-Efficient and Climate-Conscious: Optimized for coastal breezes and passive design

Our Akuna Bay building designs are luxurious, sustainable, and crafted to enhance your lifestyle while preserving the area’s natural charm.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Akuna Bay

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily E4 Environmental Living, with some R2 Low Density Residential near the marina

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: Typically 6–9m

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m, depending on height and lot width

    • Rear: Varies, especially for waterfront or bushland-adjacent lots

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 800–2,000+ sqm, often with steep slopes or waterfront access

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 for properties near bushland

    • Strict tree preservation—vegetation management plans often required

    • Waterfront properties may require coastal and geotechnical assessments

    • Privacy and view-sharing critical for elevated or waterfront designs

  • Utilities:

    • All standard services available—water, sewer, gas, power, and NBN

Building in Akuna Bay requires careful navigation of environmental overlays, bushfire regulations, and waterfront planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Northern Beaches Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Akuna Bay Project?

Most Akuna Bay projects require a DA due to environmental and waterfront complexities, though minor upgrades may qualify for CDC. Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Ideal for luxury waterfront builds, bushfire-prone properties, or site-sensitive designs

  • We manage all consultants, reports, and council communication

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward renovations or compliant extensions

  • We’ll assess your site and recommend the fastest approval route

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Akuna Bay

  • Yes. Akuna Bay is ideal for guest suites or self-contained studios. We design for privacy, accessibility, and council compliance.

  • North-facing designs capture waterfront views, maximize natural light, and improve energy efficiency. We prioritize solar orientation in every project.

  • In most cases, yes—especially for native or protected species in environmental zones. We assist with arborist reports and council permits.

  • Not at all! While we love working in spots like Avalon, Narrabeen, and Dee Why, we also take on projects across the North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, and even further out. We’re open to select builds up to 4 hours from the Northern Beaches Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in Akuna Bay

We design luxury waterfront homes, sustainable extensions, dual-occupancies, and multi-generational layouts with precision and purpose—ready for construction and council approval.

From start to finish, our Akuna Bay building design services deliver lifestyle, compliance, and lasting value.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Explore our work in waterfront and bushland-adjacent suburbs—designed to maximize light, space, and natural beauty.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Akuna Bay building designs are crafted for modern coastal living and timeless elegance.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Akuna Bay?

We’re here to help you take the next step! whetheR It’s

a new chapter or a fresh upgrade

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Akuna Bay?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Northern Beaches—from Palm Beach and Avalon to Dee Why and Manly. Wherever you're building, we bring the same precision, creativity, and local know-how to every design.