Expert Building Design in Cowan

Cowan is a peaceful bushland village perched at the northern edge of the Hornsby Shire. Known for its national park surroundings, quiet streets, and strong sense of community, Cowan is ideal for those looking to build in harmony with nature. With Cowan Station offering rail access and nearby hiking trails, the suburb combines country calm with commuter convenience.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Cowan—delivering tailored designs that respect the environmental constraints, steep terrain, and fire-prone conditions typical of the area. Whether you're upgrading a weatherboard cottage, building a modern eco-home, or adding space to suit a growing family, our work reflects Cowan’s natural character and Hornsby Shire planning rules.

DMR Designs proudly serves Cowan and all suburbs across the Hornsby Shire. We also take on select rural or remote residential projects up to 4 hours from the council area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Cowan?

  • Bushland-Ready Designs: We create homes that sit gently within natural surroundings, with BAL and slope in mind.

  • Sustainable Building Solutions: Our designs balance energy efficiency, resilience, and council compliance.

  • Experience With R5 Zoning: We know how to design on large or irregular rural lots.

  • Navigating DA Requirements: We manage vegetation, drainage, and geotechnical reports as needed.

  • Stress-Free Project Coordination: From drafting to consultant reports and lodgement, we handle it all.

Our Cowan building design projects prioritize environmental sensitivity and long-term functionality—all in line with Hornsby Shire Council regulations.

The Hornsby Shire Council Requirements for Building in Cowan

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 10–20m typical in rural zones | Side: 5–10m depending on lot size

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Usually limited to 0.1:1 in R5 Large Lot Residential zones

  • Average Block Size:

    • 1,500–4,000+ sqm rural lots, often sloped or wooded

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R5 Large Lot Residential with surrounding Environmental zones

  • Local Considerations:

    • Most blocks require BAL assessment due to bushfire exposure. Drainage, tree retention, and access constraints often apply. Some properties may also be impacted by national park proximity or habitat protections.

Building in Cowan 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 Cowan Project?

In Cowan, most builds and major renovations require a Development Application (DA) due to bushfire risk and environmental zoning.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for most new homes, rebuilds, and additions

  • Includes assessment of fire risk, slope, vegetation, and access

  • Managed by Hornsby Shire Council

  • Allows for tailored designs and consultation with planners

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Rarely applicable due to rural zoning and overlays

  • May apply to very minor works only

  • Assessed by private certifier if compliant with all planning controls

We assess your site and choose the path that minimizes delays while ensuring compliance.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Cowan

  • Yes—we specialize in designing for steep blocks and BAL-rated zones. We’ll guide you through all requirements.

  • Design to DA submission typically takes 8–12 weeks in bushland or rural areas.

  • Most Cowan projects require BAL, geotech, drainage, and vegetation assessments. We manage all consultants.

  • 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 Cowan

We design custom homes, rural retreats, BAL-compliant dwellings, knockdown rebuilds, and extensions that suit Cowan’s natural setting and planning guidelines.

From rural blocks to cozy upgrades, our Cowan building design services guide you through every step—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 other rural homeowners across Cowan and Hornsby Shire design homes that complement nature while meeting all council requirements.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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From bushland knockdowns to nature-focused rebuilds, our Cowan building design services create homes that work with the land—stress free.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Cowan?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a new home in the bush or transforming a long-held family property.

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 Cowan?

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.