Expert Building Design in Naremburn

Naremburn is a charming Lower North Shore suburb known for its mix of heritage cottages, renovated family homes, and modern apartments. With tree-lined streets, excellent transport links, and proximity to Crows Nest and the Sydney CBD, it offers a sought-after blend of convenience and community. Local parks, village cafes, and good schools make it popular with families and professionals alike.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Naremburn that reflect the suburb’s mix of historic charm and contemporary living, while ensuring compliance with City of Willoughby Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve Naremburn with designs that merge style, comfort, and functionality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Naremburn?

  • Family-Friendly Layouts: Perfect for growing families and multi-generational living.

  • Heritage Sensitivity: Designs that respect Naremburn’s historic streetscape.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled navigation of City of Willoughby planning rules.

  • Sustainable Practices: Incorporating energy efficiency into every project.

  • Versatile Solutions: From compact sites to larger family homes.

Our Naremburn designs deliver a perfect balance of style, practicality, and council compliance.

City of Willoughby Council Requirements for Building in Naremburn

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks generally 4.5–7.5 m

    • Side and rear setbacks depend on lot width and zoning

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: 450–750 m²

    • Townhouse sites: 600–900 m²

  • Key constraints

    • Heritage conservation controls for specific streets and precincts

    • Height and overshadowing limits for medium-density builds

    • Requirements for landscaping and street presentation

  • Utilities available

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

Building in Naremburn requires designs that harmonise with its village character while embracing modern living standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Naremburn 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 developments, heritage properties, or where design variations are sought.

  • Needed for sites in heritage conservation areas or exceeding CDC limits.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant single dwellings, duplexes, and small-scale renovations.

  • Offers faster approval for straightforward projects.

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 Naremburn

  • Yes, but designs must comply with heritage conservation guidelines and require DA approval.

  • Yes—on sites meeting minimum lot size and frontage under the R2 or R3 zoning rules.

  • Popular styles include Federation and Californian Bungalow restorations, alongside sleek contemporary builds.

  • 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 Naremburn

We create customised designs for houses, duplexes, and townhouse developments that reflect Naremburn’s heritage and contemporary mix.
From initial concepts to final approval, we focus on compliance, aesthetics, and lifestyle.

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 Naremburn portfolio showcasing homes that blend character and modern convenience.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Naremburn demands expertise and creativity—both of which we bring to every project.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Naremburn?

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 Naremburn?

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.