Expert Building Design in Coogee

Coogee is a vibrant beachside suburb in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, famous for its pristine coastline, lively café scene, and family-friendly environment. With a mix of heritage homes, modern apartments, and contemporary townhouses, Coogee offers a relaxed seaside lifestyle within easy reach of the CBD. The suburb’s beaches, coastal walks, and recreational amenities make it a highly desirable location for families, professionals, and investors alike.

DMR Designs provides expert building solutions in Coogee, delivering designs that reflect the suburb’s coastal charm while meeting Randwick City Council planning requirements.

We design homes in Coogee that combine style, functionality, and compliance, ensuring every project complements the local streetscape and lifestyle.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Coogee?

  • Coastal-Optimised Layouts: Maximising light, ventilation, and ocean views.

  • Family-Focused Designs: Spaces crafted for comfort, flow, and liveability.

  • Council Expertise: Skilled in navigating Randwick Council’s coastal and heritage planning rules.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient and environmentally conscious designs.

  • Flexible Solutions: Tailored for single homes, duplexes, and multi-generational living.

Our Coogee designs deliver a harmonious blend of coastal aesthetics, functionality, and regulatory compliance.

Randwick Council Requirements for Building in Coogee

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks typically 5–7m, consistent with local streetscape

    • Side and rear setbacks vary depending on lot size and dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: 250m² – 700m²

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: 200m² – 500m²

  • Key constraints

    • Heritage overlays in select streets

    • Coastal and flood considerations for properties near the beach

    • Height and bulk controls to maintain neighbourhood character

  • Utilities available

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

Designing in Coogee requires solutions that respond to coastal conditions, heritage character, and council planning controls.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Coogee 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 heritage areas, multi-dwelling projects, or developments seeking variations to standards.

  • Necessary for sites affected by coastal, flood, or environmental overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, compliant duplexes, or minor extensions.

  • Faster approvals for projects fully meeting council and zoning requirements.

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 Coogee

  • Yes, duplexes may be approved on appropriately zoned sites complying with Randwick Council rules.

  • Yes, certain streets are heritage-protected, requiring designs that maintain the original character.

  • Proper orientation, open-plan layouts, and large windows help optimise sunlight and coastal breezes.

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

Our Building Design Services in Coogee

We offer custom home designs, duplexes, renovations, and townhouses that suit Coogee’s coastal lifestyle and Randwick Council planning requirements.
From initial concept through to council approval, every design is practical, compliant, and visually appealing.

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 Coogee portfolio demonstrates how expert design can combine modern living, coastal charm, and council compliance.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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With DMR Designs, your Coogee home will achieve comfort, style, and lasting value.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Coogee?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Randwick 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 Coogee?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Randwick City Council area. From Coogee and Kensington to Maroubra and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.