Expert Building Design in St Ives

St Ives is a vibrant, family-friendly suburb known for its leafy streets, large residential blocks, and proximity to bushland reserves. With a mix of established homes, new builds, and dual occupancies, the area offers flexibility—while also demanding compliance with tree preservation and bushfire planning controls.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in St Ives. Whether you're planning a full knockdown-rebuild, an extension, or a backyard studio, we design to suit your site, your lifestyle, and the Ku-ring-gai Council’s requirements.

We proudly serve St Ives with custom building designs that deliver comfort, space, and peace of mind—every step of the way.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in St Ives?

  • Sloping & Elevated Site Expertise: Designs that adapt to your land’s shape

  • BAL-Ready Homes: Bushfire-safe layouts tailored to your BAL rating

  • Council-Approved Results: We handle all paperwork, reports, and plan submission

  • Smart Family Floorplans: Designed for functionality, privacy, and flexibility

  • Dual Living Designs: Perfect for intergenerational families or added income

Our St Ives building design projects blend architectural creativity with strict compliance to council planning codes.

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

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with E3 Environmental Management near bushland edges

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6–9m depending on streetscape

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

    • Rear: Varies with lot depth and slope

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 800–1,500 sqm, mostly rectangular, often sloping or surrounded by mature vegetation

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 for homes near bushland or green corridors

    • Strict tree preservation controls apply—removal requires approval

    • Overland flow, slope, or drainage management may be required

    • Dual occupancy may be restricted depending on site area and zoning

  • Utilities:

    • Fully serviced with town water, power, sewer, and NBN in most areas

Building in 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 St Ives Project?

Due to overlays and environmental controls, most builds go through a DA process. 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 new homes, sloping sites, or bushfire-affected land

  • We coordinate your plans, BAL reports, arborist assessments, and full council submission

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for compliant additions or new homes on simple sites

  • We assess your land’s eligibility and fast-track approvals if viable

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 St Ives

  • Often, yes—if your lot meets size and zoning criteria. We handle feasibility and design.

  • Definitely. We specialize in split-level and raised-floor designs that work with your land.

  • Some properties are rated BAL-12.5 or higher—we’ll obtain a BAL report and incorporate compliant design elements.

  • 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 St Ives

We provide tailored building design solutions for new homes, dual occupancies, studios, and extensions—each one shaped by your land and lifestyle.

From concept to council approval, our St Ives building design services are practical, creative, and 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 similar projects in Ku-ring-gai—homes that overcome site challenges with style and full compliance.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our St Ives building design services help you create something special—designed with purpose and approved with ease.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in 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 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.