Expert Building Design in Phillip Bay

Phillip Bay is a peaceful coastal suburb within Randwick City, offering a relaxed seaside lifestyle with close proximity to La Perouse, Yarra Bay, and Little Bay Beach. With its quiet streets, ocean views, and open green spaces, Phillip Bay attracts families, retirees, and investors seeking a calm residential environment close to the city. Homes here range from post-war cottages to modern redevelopments, creating opportunities for knockdown-rebuilds, duplexes, and custom-designed homes.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in bespoke building design services for Phillip Bay, delivering homes that are functional, stylish, and compliant with Randwick Council requirements. Whether you’re looking to renovate, build a custom home, or create a profitable duplex, we’ll help you maximise your block’s potential.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Phillip Bay?

  • Local Expertise: Familiar with Randwick Council’s planning rules and coastal considerations.

  • Lifestyle-Oriented Homes: Designs that take advantage of natural light, breezes, and ocean views.

  • Sustainable Living: Energy-efficient layouts suited for modern coastal living.

  • Smart Investment: Duplex and redevelopment designs that enhance long-term property value.

  • Client-Centred Service: We collaborate with you to ensure your project reflects your vision.

With DMR Designs, your Phillip Bay home will be both practical and future-ready.

Randwick Council Requirements for Building in Phillip Bay

 

  • Zoning categories

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setback guidelines

    • Front setbacks typically 5–6m

    • Side/rear setbacks vary with block size and orientation

  • Block sizes

    • Generally 450m²–700m², suitable for duplexes and new custom builds

  • Key constraints

    • Height limits to protect coastal views

    • Overshadowing and privacy controls for neighbours

    • Building design must respect local seaside character

  • Utilities

    • Access to water, sewer, gas, electricity, and NBN

Building in Phillip Bay requires thoughtful design to balance modern living with local character.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Phillip Bay 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):

  • Suitable for duplexes, townhouses, or unique designs outside CDC standards.

  • Longer process but allows more flexibility and creativity in design.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Ideal for straightforward builds, renovations, or extensions.

  • Faster approvals if your design meets set planning 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 Phillip Bay

  • Freestanding family homes are the most common, though many owners choose knockdown-rebuilds for modern upgrades.

  • Yes, if your block size and frontage meet council requirements under R2 or R3 zoning.

  • Definitely — Phillip Bay’s coastal location and limited land supply make it attractive for both families and investors.

  • 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 Phillip Bay

We offer custom homes, duplex designs, townhouses, and renovations tailored to Phillip Bay’s coastal environment.
Our team ensures every design is modern, functional, and fully compliant with Randwick Council regulations.

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

At DMR Designs, we turn your Phillip Bay vision into reality with creative, future-focused design solutions.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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We make the process smooth, efficient, and rewarding — helping you achieve a home that reflects your lifestyle and enhances property value.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Phillip Bay?

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 Phillip Bay?

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.