Expert Building Design in St Ives Chase

St Ives Chase is a tranquil, bush-surrounded suburb tucked between Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Garigal National Park. With its quiet cul-de-sacs, large blocks, and proximity to native bushland, the area offers privacy and space—but also introduces stricter planning controls for bushfire safety, tree protection, and land slope.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in St Ives Chase. Whether you're planning a brand-new home or an extension that blends into the bushland backdrop, we design with compliance, comfort, and creativity in mind.

We proudly serve St Ives Chase with custom home designs that respond to land conditions and align with Ku-ring-gai Council regulations.

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

  • Bushland-Aware Design: Homes that complement the landscape and meet BAL requirements

  • Slope-Responsive Planning: Designs that follow terrain, reduce excavation, and retain views

  • Effortless Council Coordination: We handle plans, reports, and approval submission

  • Smart Use of Space: Flexible layouts suited to families, entertainers, or retirees

  • Eco-Friendly Options: Passive solar design, sustainable materials, and land-sensitive layouts

Our St Ives Chase designs are built for peaceful living with practical, long-term value.

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

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with extensive environmental overlays and bushfire-affected zones

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: Typically 6–9m based on streetscape

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

    • Rear: Variable—depends on slope and surrounding constraints

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 700–1,500+ sqm, often irregular or sloped, with bushland to the rear or side

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 due to proximity to national parks

    • Tree Preservation Orders enforced—arborist reporting often required

    • Drainage plans needed for sloped sites or overland flow paths

    • Limited access or narrow frontages on some blocks

  • Utilities:

    • Fully connected to sewer, water, electricity, and NBN, though stormwater upgrades may apply

Building in St Ives Chase 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 Chase Project?

Due to slope, vegetation, and bushfire risks, most builds go through DA. 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):

  • Required for homes on sloping or bushfire-prone land

  • We manage all required reports, design plans, and council submissions

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • May apply to minor alterations or compliant builds on simpler blocks

  • We assess eligibility and fast-track where appropriate

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 Chase

  • Absolutely. We often design around existing trees and advise on creative solutions to preserve the natural setting.

  • A bushfire-compliant home includes fire-rated materials, specific glazing, sealed rooflines, and proper asset protection zones. We integrate all BAL requirements into your design.

  • We work with tricky access blocks all the time and can optimize driveway layout, parking, and site entry during design.

  • 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 Chase

We design custom homes, extensions, second dwellings, and site-sensitive builds that prioritize compliance, creativity, and comfort in every detail.

From planning to approvals, our St Ives Chase building design services make complex sites simple and the build process 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

View our past work across Ku-ring-gai—where we’ve turned slope, bushfire zones, and vegetation overlays into inspired home designs.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our St Ives Chase building design services help you navigate every challenge with ease.

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

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 Chase?

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.