Expert Building Design in North St Ives

North St Ives offers a peaceful, green lifestyle with access to national parks, wide streets, and quality schools. With larger-than-average blocks, sloping land, and properties bordering bushland, home design in this part of Ku-ring-gai demands both creativity and compliance.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in North St Ives. Whether you're planning a new home, extension, or dual living setup, we tailor every design to suit the land, the regulations, and your long-term lifestyle.

We proudly serve North St Ives with high-performing, council-compliant designs that complement the leafy environment.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in North St Ives?

  • Designs for Bushland Blocks: We optimize outlooks, solar access, and privacy

  • Smart Planning for Large Lots: Ideal layouts for dual living or future upgrades

  • Bushfire-Aware and Slope-Savvy: We design to suit terrain and BAL ratings

  • Council-Ready Documentation: All reports and drawings handled in-house

  • Future-Focused Living: Flexible floorplans with space to grow and adapt

Our North St Ives building design projects combine practicality, beauty, and full alignment with Ku-ring-gai Council’s strict planning rules.

Ku-ring-gai Council Requirements for Building in North St Ives

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with proximity to bushland corridors and environmental zones

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: Typically 6–9m depending on surrounding streetscape

    • Sides: 900mm–1.5m depending on wall height

    • Rear: Subject to slope and land size

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 700–1,200 sqm with generous frontages and moderate slopes

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 for homes backing onto national parks or reserves

    • Tree preservation is strictly enforced under local overlays

    • Stormwater management may be required for larger projects

    • Design must respond to local character and topography

  • Utilities:

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

Building in North St Ives requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Ku-ring-gai Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your North St Ives Project?

The presence of bushland, slope, and overlays often points toward DA being the best route. Most residential developments fall under either a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Best suited for sloping blocks, bushfire-prone land, or heritage-sensitive areas

  • We handle every element—plans, supporting reports, and council coordination

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward builds on compliant blocks

  • We evaluate your site and pursue the fastest approval option available

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 North St Ives

  • Yes—most properties require a bushfire rating due to proximity to bushland. We organize the report and design accordingly.

  • Yes—if your lot size and zoning permit, we’ll provide a tailored design and manage approvals.

  • Yes—we can refer builders we trust or work with your preferred team to ensure a smooth build.

  • Nope! While we're familiar with Ku-ring-gai and its suburbs—like Turramurra, Wahroonga, and Pymble—we also work across the North Shore, Northern Beaches, and beyond. We’re open to select projects up to 4 hours from the Ku-ring-gai 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 custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in North St Ives

We offer custom designs for new homes, extensions, second dwellings, and upgrades tailored to the conditions of North St Ives.

From contemporary family homes to practical additions, our North St Ives building design services help you build smarter and live better.

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 bring together slope-aware design, bushfire compliance, and comfort in every home—tailored to Ku-ring-gai’s unique conditions.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our North St Ives building design services are the ideal blend of lifestyle, land, and local compliance.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in North St Ives?

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

starting fresh or upgrading a family estate.

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 North St Ives?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Ku-ring-gai area—from Pymble and Turramurra to Roseville and Wahroonga. No matter the suburb, we bring the same precision and local insight to every design.