Expert Building Design in Sylvania

Sylvania is a sought-after suburb in the Sutherland Shire, renowned for its waterfront living along the Georges River and its family-friendly streets. The suburb features a diverse mix of housing, from original brick cottages and mid-century homes to luxury waterfront residences and modern rebuilds. With easy access to Southgate Shopping Centre, schools, and major road links, Sylvania offers both convenience and lifestyle.

At DMR Designs, we create building design in Sylvania that reflects the suburb’s balance of prestige and practicality. Our expertise ensures designs that make the most of water views, sloping sites, and leafy surrounds while complying with Sutherland Shire Council planning controls.

We pride ourselves on delivering homes that combine style, comfort, and compliance, suited to the unique character of Sylvania.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Sylvania?

  • Waterfront Focus: Designs that optimise Georges River views.

  • Family Comfort: Layouts tailored for everyday living and flexibility.

  • Prestige Living: Premium design solutions for luxury homes.

  • Council Compliance: Expertise in Sutherland Shire Council rules and overlays.

  • Smart Design: Solutions for sloping blocks and irregular-shaped lots.

Our Sylvania designs capture the balance of lifestyle and sophistication this suburb is known for.

Sutherland Shire Council Requirements for Building in Sylvania

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E4 Environmental Living (foreshore and bushland areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks typically 6–8m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary depending on lot width and slope

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 550–900 sqm

    • Duplex sites: 300–400 sqm per dwelling (with required frontage)

  • Key constraints:

    • Foreshore building line restrictions near the river

    • Height limits generally capped at 8.5m

    • Bushfire and vegetation protection in certain pockets

  • Utilities available:

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

Building in Sylvania often requires tailored solutions for waterfront or sloping sites.

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

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

  • Required for waterfront lots, duplexes, or projects seeking variations.

  • Necessary where foreshore or environmental overlays apply.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, knockdown-rebuilds, and compliant alterations.

  • Limited for waterfront and environmentally constrained sites.

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 Sylvania

  • A mix of older brick homes, luxury rebuilds, and prestigious waterfront residences.

  • Yes, duplexes are possible on suitably sized lots with the right frontage under R2 zoning.

  • Yes, foreshore building line rules apply, affecting how close you can build to the water.

  • While we know the Sutherland Shire area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Sutherland Shire Council area, including Cronulla, Caringbah, Engadine, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Sutherland Shire 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 beachside homes to bushland retreats and specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Sutherland Shire project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Sylvania

We provide building design in Sylvania for luxury waterfront homes, duplexes, and family residences. Our designs are tailored to meet both lifestyle aspirations and planning compliance.

From concept to completion, we create homes that embody Sylvania’s prestige and riverside charm.

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

Discover our Sylvania designs, showcasing homes that combine water views, comfort, and compliance.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Sylvania requires both creativity and planning expertise — and we deliver both.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Sylvania?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Sutherland Shire 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 Sylvania?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Sutherland Shire Council area. From Cronulla and Caringbah to Engadine and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.