Expert Building Design in University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) precinct in Kensington is a vibrant hub of education, student life, and urban living. Surrounded by modern apartments, student housing, and commercial spaces, it caters to students, professionals, and families seeking convenience near one of Sydney’s leading universities. The area benefits from excellent transport, nearby shopping precincts, and access to beaches like Coogee.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in the UNSW precinct that reflect the area’s high-density, urban lifestyle while ensuring compliance with Randwick City Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve the UNSW area with designs that combine functionality, modern appeal, and compliance.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in University of New South Wales?

  • Smart Layouts: Space-efficient designs perfect for student living, professionals, and investors.

  • Urban Integration: Designs that fit seamlessly into the dynamic streetscape of Kensington and the UNSW surrounds.

  • Compliance Expertise: In-depth understanding of Randwick City Council’s urban development regulations.

  • Sustainability Focus: Eco-friendly features suited for apartments and student accommodations.

  • Versatile Spaces: Customised solutions for mixed-use buildings, multi-unit housing, and compact homes.

Our UNSW precinct designs deliver a balance of practicality, compliance, and style suited to this urban community.

Randwick Council Requirements for Building in University of New South Wales

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

    • R4 High Density Residential

    • B2 Local Centre (in commercial corridors)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 4.5m – 6m

    • Reduced side/rear setbacks for multi-unit housing and commercial buildings

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Apartment blocks: 600m²+

    • Student housing: varies, generally 450m² – 800m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Building height restrictions to protect sunlight and street amenity

    • Parking and traffic management near the UNSW campus

    • Noise and privacy considerations for dense housing

  • Utilities available:

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

Building near the UNSW precinct requires designs that balance density, liveability, and compliance with strict council controls.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your University of New South Wales 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 apartment buildings, mixed-use developments, or projects exceeding CDC standards.

  • Needed for developments with parking, traffic, or heritage impacts.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for small-scale student housing, duplexes, or alterations that comply fully with zoning controls.

  • Provides faster approval for compliant and straightforward projects.

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 University of New South Wales

  • The area features student accommodations, high-density apartments, duplexes, and mixed-use developments catering to the university community.

  • Yes, Randwick City Council enforces strict height and floor space ratio limits to manage density, sunlight, and streetscape character.

  • Absolutely. With strong rental demand from students and staff, developments near UNSW attract consistent returns and long-term value.

  • 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 University of New South Wales

We create tailored designs for apartments, duplexes, and mixed-use housing that suit the urban environment around UNSW.
From planning to approval, our designs ensure compliance and modern appeal.

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 UNSW precinct portfolio featuring projects that balance density, comfort, and urban lifestyle.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in the UNSW area requires expert navigation of planning regulations—exactly what we deliver.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in University of New South Wales?

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 University of New South Wales?

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.