Expert Building Design in South Coogee

South Coogee is a peaceful coastal suburb offering sweeping ocean views, relaxed living, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Known for its clifftop homes, modern duplexes, and proximity to Coogee Beach and Maroubra, it provides a desirable balance of coastal charm and urban convenience. With excellent schools, parks, and transport links, South Coogee is a sought-after location for families and professionals.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in South Coogee that reflect the suburb’s coastal character while ensuring compliance with Randwick City Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve South Coogee with designs that combine comfort, style, and practicality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in South Coogee?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes designed for functionality and flow, perfect for growing families.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that complement South Coogee’s coastal streetscape and contemporary architecture.

  • Compliance Expertise: Knowledge of Randwick City Council’s coastal development and setback requirements.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-smart solutions designed for sea breezes and coastal exposure.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Tailored for multi-generational living, professionals, and investors.

Our South Coogee designs deliver a harmonious balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this suburb.

Randwick Council Requirements for Building in South Coogee

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 4.5m – 6m depending on the street

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

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 350m² – 650m²

    • Duplex sites: 300m² – 450m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal erosion and cliff-top stability requirements

    • Strict building height limits to protect views

    • Overshadowing controls for neighbours

  • Utilities available:

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

Building in South Coogee demands designs that embrace the coastal environment while meeting all council standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your South 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):

  • Needed for duplexes, townhouses, or builds in areas with coastal hazard overlays.

  • Required for projects seeking flexibility on setbacks, height, or floor space ratios.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single homes and alterations that fit neatly within zoning controls.

  • Provides a streamlined approval process for straightforward designs.

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 South Coogee

  • South Coogee is known for modern duplexes, luxury coastal homes, and updated family houses designed to take advantage of ocean views and natural light.

  • Yes, coastal conditions such as salt exposure, cliffside stability, and wind loads require durable materials and careful structural planning.

  • Absolutely. With access to quality schools, oceanfront parks, and nearby Coogee and Maroubra beaches, South Coogee is one of the most family-friendly coastal suburbs in Sydney.

  • 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 South Coogee

We provide customised building designs for homes, duplexes, and renovations that align with South Coogee’s coastal character and council standards.
From concept to approval, we ensure stylish, compliant, and durable designs.

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 South Coogee portfolio showcasing homes crafted for coastal living, compliance, and lifestyle needs.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in South Coogee requires expertise in both design and regulation—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in South 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 South 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.