Expert Building Design in Berkeley

Berkeley is a well-established suburb located on the western shores of Lake Illawarra. Known for its lakeside parks, schools, and community amenities, Berkeley offers affordable housing options with easy access to Wollongong CBD and the M1 motorway. The suburb attracts families, retirees, and first-home buyers seeking a balance between lifestyle and convenience.

Housing in Berkeley ranges from older fibro and brick homes on large blocks to newer townhouses and duplex developments. With its lakeside location and affordable land, the area is seeing a gradual shift towards modern, higher-density housing.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in delivering Building Design in Berkeley that enhances liveability while meeting Wollongong Council’s requirements. Whether you’re planning a duplex investment near Lake Illawarra, a knockdown-rebuild of an older fibro home, or an extension for a growing family, we ensure your project is practical, stylish, and compliant.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Berkeley?

  • Lakeside Living: Designs that maximise views and access to outdoor spaces.

  • Family-Friendly Layouts: Open floorplans and functional spaces suited to families.

  • Modernisation of Older Blocks: Transforming dated properties into contemporary homes.

  • Sustainable Focus: Energy-efficient designs ideal for lake breezes and sunlight.

  • Regulatory Expertise: Thorough understanding of Wollongong Council zoning and flood-prone considerations.

Our Berkeley designs are tailored to the suburb’s character, helping clients make the most of large blocks and growing redevelopment opportunities.

Wollongong Council Requirements for Building in Berkeley

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks: typically 5.5m–7.5m

    • Side setbacks depend on dwelling type and lot width

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Older blocks: 600m²–900m²

    • Duplex/townhouse developments: 300m²–400m² per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Flood-prone land near Lake Illawarra foreshore

    • Slope variations in some elevated sections

    • Building height controls to protect streetscape

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, gas, electricity, and NBN

Building in Berkeley requires careful planning around flood controls and council guidelines, especially for projects near the lake.

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

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

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for multi-dwelling housing, homes on flood-prone land, or designs that vary from council standards.

  • Often applies to duplexes or large-scale renovations in Berkeley.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward new homes, secondary dwellings, or extensions that meet all state and local rules.

  • Provides a faster option for compliant designs away from flood-affected zones.

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 Berkeley

  • The suburb features post-war fibro homes, brick residences, and newer townhouses and duplexes as redevelopment increases.

  • Yes, properties near Lake Illawarra require flood resilience measures and may need a DA rather than a CDC.

  • Yes, larger lots make Berkeley attractive for duplexes, especially for investment purposes, provided designs meet zoning and setback requirements.

  • While we know the Wollongong area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Wollongong City Council area, including Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Figtree, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Wollongong 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 coastal homes to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Wollongong project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Berkeley

We provide customised building design in Berkeley for homes, duplexes, and townhouses. Many projects here involve upgrading post-war and brick veneer houses into modern family residences, as well as new builds that suit the suburb’s lakeside location. Depending on local trends, this may include spacious knockdown-rebuilds near Lake Illawarra, compact duplexes on smaller blocks, and family-oriented townhouses in growing residential pockets.

From initial planning to council approval, we create Berkeley building designs that combine compliance, lifestyle, and timeless quality tailored to the suburb.

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

Our Berkeley projects show how thoughtful design can transform ageing properties into modern, efficient homes that take full advantage of larger block sizes.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With DMR Designs, your Berkeley home will be designed for comfort, compliance, and lasting value.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Berkeley?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Wollongong 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 Berkeley?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Wollongong City Council area. From Corrimal and Fairy Meadow to Figtree and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.