Expert Building Design in Turramurra

Turramurra is one of the North Shore’s most sought-after suburbs—known for its leafy streets, federation homes, and elevated blocks. With a mix of older homes, new builds, and multi-generational living options, designing in Turramurra means balancing modern lifestyle needs with heritage character and topographic constraints.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Turramurra. Whether you’re transforming a classic home or building from scratch, we tailor every design to the land, the family, and Ku-ring-gai Council’s planning requirements.

We proudly serve Turramurra with thoughtful, custom building designs that make the most of every block—whether level, sloped, or tree-lined.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Turramurra?

  • Federation & Character Home Expertise: Blending traditional street appeal with modern living

  • Multi-Generational Layouts: Designs with guest suites, studios, or dual living spaces

  • Slope-Sensitive Planning: Split-level homes, minimal excavation, better flow

  • Compliant From the Start: We handle BAL reports, council documents, and submissions

  • Built for Families: Storage, light, and flexible living zones in every plan

Our Turramurra building designs combine lifestyle, longevity, and compliance—designed to suit how locals actually live.

Ku-ring-gai Council Requirements for Building in Turramurra

 

  • Zoning:

    • R2 Low Density Residential with heritage conservation areas and environmental overlays in select streets

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6–9m typical depending on adjoining homes

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m based on height and length

    • Rear: Variable with lot depth and slope

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 800–2,000+ sqm, with a mix of wide-frontage and sloping bush-adjacent properties

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 in bush-adjacent zones

    • Tree Preservation Orders enforced—tree removal needs approval

    • Drainage and overland flow paths on sloped sites

    • Façade and roof pitch controls in character streetscapes

  • Utilities:

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

Building in Turramurra 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 Turramurra Project?

Due to slope, heritage, and bushfire zones, most Turramurra 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 most new homes, additions, or upgrades in conservation areas

  • We handle all reporting, plan preparation, and council submissions

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for minor works on simple blocks without overlays

  • We assess site eligibility and manage the fast-track process if available

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 Turramurra

  • Sloping land is common here—we design around contours to reduce retaining walls and improve layout flow while keeping costs down.

  • Yes. Many homes in Turramurra are conservation-listed or character-protected. We specialize in keeping street appeal while updating the internal layout for modern living.

  • We design functional dual living layouts, including backyard studios or internal guest quarters—perfect for adult children or aging parents.

  • 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 Turramurra

We design homes, studios, extensions, and heritage-sensitive renovations tailored to the land, council controls, and lifestyle of Turramurra residents.

From concept to council approval, our Turramurra building design services simplify every step—without compromising on quality or compliance.

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 projects throughout Ku-ring-gai—from heritage homes to new builds on sloped land—designed to suit modern family life with approval success built in.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Turramurra building design services combine functionality and finesse, no matter the block or budget.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Turramurra?

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 Turramurra?

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.