As part of its response to tackle Sydney’s housing crisis, the New South Wales Government has unveiled the NSW Housing Pattern Book – a visionary initiative designed to accelerate the delivery of high-quality, affordable homes. The Pattern Book will feature a suite of architect-designed low-rise and mid-rise housing designs – including semi-detached or dual occupancy homes, terraces, manor homes, and row homes and mid-rise apartment buildings up to 6 storeys – each endorsed by the Government Architect NSW. These ready-to-build designs will be made available to the public for just $1,000 providing a fast-tracked, cost-effective pathway to increasing housing supply without compromising on design excellence or liveability. For a short window the designs will be available for just $1 per pattern.

Maddocks provided strategic legal advice that supported the development and implementation of this innovative housing initiative. Working closely with the NSW Government, Maddocks advised on procurement strategy, risk allocation, intellectual property issues, and provided tailored legal documentation for key project phases including the international design competition and architect procurement.

The work ensured that the necessary contractual and governance frameworks were in place to support the successful launch of the Pattern Book to the market. This enabled the NSW Government to release architect-designed, high-quality housing solutions that are accessible to the broader community — efficiently, affordably, and with appropriate legal protections in place. 

The Maddocks team was led by Partners, Jeff Goodall and Andrew Chapman, with the team comprising of Special Counsel, Elizabeth Ireland, Senior Associates Bernadette Lim Lo Suy, Danielle De Bruyn, and Leo Kohn and Lawyers Clare Giugni and Vanessa Jan, with cross functional assistance from Planning Law Partner Michael Winram.