Demand for new housing across NSW has intensified the need for intelligent solutions that bridge the gap between detached homes and high-rise towers. Many suburban blocks, typically 13 to 16 metres wide and about 30 metres deep, remain underutilised. The Pattern Book program responds by offering replicable designs suited to these sites, aiming to streamline approvals and promote architectural quality in the “missing middle.”

Collins and Turner’s brief was ambitious: deliver a scheme that achieves significant density, versatility of dwelling type, and strong street presence while ensuring cost-efficiency and ease of construction for smaller developers. The design needed to meet the performance benchmarks of the NSW Apartment Design Guide and integrate best-practice sustainability measures. The studio also responded to community concerns around character, amenity, and privacy showing that medium density can feel both generous and neighbourly.

Two main design options were developed, each drawing on Sydney’s diverse apartment legacy. One scheme references the robust character and enduring brick detail of post-war Art Deco walk-ups; the other channels the lighter, more open quality of coastal buildings from the 1960s. Both variants use a contemporary construction logic of solid, street-defining brickwork to the public edges with lighter, more adaptable materials elsewhere, delivering strong architectural identity and flexible buildability.

At the heart of the design is an efficient floorplate that maximises residential yield without sacrificing spatial quality. Wet areas (kitchens and bathrooms) are aligned vertically for construction simplicity, allowing daylight and ventilation to reach deep into each home while minimising service runs and costs. Dwellings range from studios to four bedrooms, many with flexible multipurpose rooms to accommodate changing household needs. Large, full-width balconies extend living zones outdoors, enhancing liveability and market appeal.

Key Features:

Smart Planning: Standardised and stacked wet areas streamline documentation and construction, reduce costs, and improve internal amenity by facilitating light, views, and good acoustic separation.

Generous Balconies: Each apartment enjoys broad, outdoor space as a deliberate extension of the main living room. These balconies bring natural light and ventilation deep inside, offering shading and a connection to the landscape.

Communal Spaces: Social interaction is nurtured by a combination of semi-private rear courtyards and a shared rooftop garden.

Privacy by Design: Windows are positioned to provide privacy through oblique outlooks or translucent glass, fostering comfort and openness while protecting against direct overlooking.

Façade Character and Practicality: Investment is focused where it matters: robust brickwork defines the street, while lightweight, efficient construction systems are used to the sides and rear. This approach ensures presence and longevity while remaining financially accessible to smaller builders.

Sustainability: Sustainability is integral throughout the scheme, not simply added at the end. Passive solar design is foundational: layouts maximise northern exposure; cross-ventilation is standard; rainwater harvesting and rooftop solar panels are integrated from the outset. Long-lasting, low-maintenance materials are specified, with a focus on lifecycle performance. These measures reduce operational costs and environmental impact, benefiting both future residents and developers.

The Collins and Turner Mid-Rise Pattern sets a new standard for medium density in suburban NSW. It demonstrates that compact, efficient buildings can be generous, attractive, and contribute to neighbourhood vitality. The scheme makes quality development feasible for smaller players while also creating lasting value for residents and communities. By focusing on what can be replicated this pattern offers a credible pathway for scaling up good design while strengthening the social and physical fabric of the city.