Expert Building Design in Arcadia

Arcadia is one of Hornsby Shire’s most rural suburbs—known for its acreage properties, horse paddocks, and relaxed bushland lifestyle. With large blocks, quiet streets, and close proximity to Galston and Glenorie villages, Arcadia is ideal for families, hobby farmers, and anyone seeking space and serenity away from the city bustle.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Arcadia—creating custom homes, extensions, and rural-style builds that meet Hornsby Shire Council regulations while embracing the area's peaceful charm. Whether you’re building your dream homestead or upgrading a rural residence, we deliver designs tailored to lifestyle, land, and compliance.

We proudly service Arcadia and all suburbs across the Hornsby Shire Council—bringing tailored design expertise to every block, from acreage lots to bushland slopes.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Arcadia?

  • Rural-Lifestyle Expertise: We design with acreage in mind—verandas, paddocks, sheds, and open flow.

  • Environmental Sensitivity: Our plans respect the natural landscape, tree retention rules, and water runoff needs.

  • DA-Ready Drawings: We meet Hornsby Shire’s zoning and development controls for rural-residential land.

  • Bushfire Compliance: Full coordination of BAL assessments and compliant materials.

  • Large-Block Flexibility: Maximize your block with thoughtful positioning of main dwellings, granny flats, or studios.

Our Arcadia building design projects deliver rural living with modern comfort—while ticking every box for council approval.

The Hornsby Shire Council Requirements for Building in Arcadia

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 15–20m typical on large rural lots | Side: 5–10m depending on block width

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Often limited to 10%–13% site coverage on RU4 or E4 zoned land

  • Average Block Size:

    • 5,000 sqm–10+ hectares (commonly rural residential with mixed land use)

  • Zoning:

    • RU4 Primary Production Small Lots, E4 Environmental Living

  • Local Considerations:

    • Bushfire risk, significant vegetation, slope, and onsite wastewater treatment are often key concerns in Arcadia.

Building in Arcadia requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the The Hornsby Shire Council website.

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

Most Arcadia builds must go through the DA pathway due to zoning and environmental controls.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for most new builds, large extensions, and secondary dwellings

  • Allows for custom design suited to rural lifestyle

  • Submitted through Hornsby Shire Council

  • BAL, heritage, or flora/fauna assessments may be required

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Rarely used in Arcadia due to RU zoning and constraints

  • May apply to sheds or internal works on compliant sites

We’ll evaluate your site and guide you to the most fitting approval pathway.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Arcadia

  • Yes—subject to lot size and zoning. We design secondary dwellings that complement the main house and comply with council.

  • Most likely. Arcadia has high BAL zones. We coordinate with bushfire consultants to ensure your home meets all requirements.

  • Most projects move from concept to submission in 6–10 weeks, depending on complexity.

  • Not at all—we also work across the entire Hornsby region, including Mount Colah, Hornsby, and Waitara. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hornsby Shire 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?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic home.

Our Building Design Services in Arcadia

We design custom homes, rural extensions, secondary dwellings, outdoor entertainment spaces, and accessory farm structures—tailored to Arcadia’s acreage lifestyle and planning controls.

From lifestyle upgrades to dream rural homes, our Arcadia building design services help your ideas become reality—stress free.

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 how we’ve helped acreage clients in Arcadia and surrounding suburbs bring their rural homes to life.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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From rural retreats to family estates, our Arcadia building design services deliver long-term lifestyle value—without the stress.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Arcadia?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic home.

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 Arcadia?

DMR Designs proudly services the entire Hornsby Shire Council area—from the riverside homes of Brooklyn and Berowra Waters to the leafy streets of Beecroft, Wahroonga, and Westleigh. Wherever you're building across the Shire, we bring the same expert process and personalized design approach to every project.