Expert Building Design in Castlecrag

Castlecrag is a landmark suburb shaped by garden suburb principles, with curving streets, native bushland reserves, and a distinctive collection of architectural homes overlooking Middle Harbour. It is sought after for its tranquil, leafy character, strong community spirit, and access to foreshore walks, village amenities, and quality schools.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Castlecrag that respect the suburb’s unique residential character while ensuring compliance with City of Willoughby Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve Castlecrag with designs that combine comfort, style, and practicality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Castlecrag?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes designed for comfort, flow, and liveability.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that complement Castlecrag’s bushland setting and harbour outlooks.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled navigation of City of Willoughby’s planning controls.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient designs suited to modern lifestyles.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Customised for families, professionals, and multi-generational living.

Our Castlecrag designs deliver a harmonious balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this suburb.

City of Willoughby Council Requirements for Building in Castlecrag

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E4 Environmental Living (in bushland/foreshore pockets)

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks typically 6.0 m (or consistent with prevailing streetscape)

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by dwelling height, lot width, and slope

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: generally 600–900 m²

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: typically 800–1,000 m²+ and location-dependent

  • Key constraints

    • Conservation and heritage considerations for streetscape and original character

    • Bushfire and foreshore scenic protection controls near Middle Harbour

    • Strict tree preservation and biodiversity protections

  • Utilities available

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

Building in Castlecrag demands designs that respect the suburb’s character while meeting all council standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the City of Willoughby Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Castlecrag 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):

  • Typically required for works within conservation areas, multi-dwelling proposals, or projects seeking variations from CDC standards.

  • Necessary for sites with environmental, foreshore, or bushfire overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant single dwellings, alterations, and secondary dwellings on unconstrained sites.

  • Allows faster approval for straightforward projects that meet all planning controls.

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 Castlecrag

  • Yes—additions must maintain the established streetscape, scale, and landscape character, with careful attention to height, bulk, and materials.

  • It is, provided the design addresses bushfire standards, stormwater, and excavation limits while minimising impact on trees and natural landform.

  • Generally yes on compliant lots, subject to zoning, private open space, parking, and setback requirements.

  • While we know the Willoughby area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Willoughby, including Chatswood, Castlecrag, Willoughby East, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Willoughby 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 contemporary urban designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We’d love to hear about your Willoughby project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Castlecrag

We offer customised building designs for homes, duplexes, and townhouses fitting Castlecrag’s character and planning requirements.
From concept to council approval, we ensure compliance, style, and quality.

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 Castlecrag portfolio showcasing homes designed for lifestyle, compliance, and local character.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Castlecrag requires expert planning and design—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Castlecrag?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Willoughby 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 Castlecrag?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Willoughby area. From Chatswood and Castlecrag to Willoughby East and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.