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A growing directory of design notes and reference links—practical articles, thoughtful ideas and professional insights to help you make more informed decisions about your home.

Browse guidance on architecture, interiors, renovating and everyday living, with a focus on spaces that feel healthier, more sustainable and better suited to the way you live. Use this page as a starting point for deeper reading, planning research and project prep.

Start exploring: Your Home · Sanctuary · Renew · Government Architect NSW · Sustainable House Day · Green Magazine

Explore all articles below.

DESIGN NOTES LIBRARY

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Design Inspiration + Everyday Living

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Colour, Culture and Place: How to Design a Home That Feels Like You

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How to Use Pinterest With Your Architect or Interior Designer

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Essentials for a Happy Home

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Designing Your Dream Home

The Dream Home Starter Guide

The Five-Part Comfort Test: What Makes a Home Feel Good All Year

Designing a home that grows with you

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What to Expect in Your First Meeting With an Architect

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Healthy + Sustainable Homes

The Cosy Fireplace Problem: Creating Warmth Without Compromising a Healthy Home

AI, Wellbeing and the New Residential Revolution

How to Use ChatGPT to Organise a Room — Starting With Just a Photo

A Healthy Home Starts With Moisture Control: Designing to Reduce Mould Risk

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Early Heat Wave Exposes the Value of Climate-Ready Homes

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Healthy Habits, Cued by Space: How Your Home Can Support a Better Way of Living

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What is an “evolving home design plan”

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Planning + Approvals

Building on Bushfire-Prone Land in NSW: Where Do You Start?

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NSW is preparing to replace the DBP Act: What homeowners need to know

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Architectural Process

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DA vs CDC: What’s the Difference? (And Which One Do You Need?)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Renovating + Building

+ + + down load + + +

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Why Good Floor Plans Matter: The Hidden Cost of Bad Layouts

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Retrofit An Old Garage

Design notes

Architecture, interiors, healthy homes, approvals and everyday living.

Explore all articles →

Checklists + tools

Worksheets for project briefs, budgets, site questions and conversations with your builder.

Coming soon

Design kits

Material palettes, mood boards and curated ideas for a more considered home.

Coming soon

Architecture, sustainable homes + considered living.

Explore Australian and NSW planning resources, technical knowledge, sustainable building, design inspiration and everyday eco living.

Planning, approvals + building standards

#	Website	What readers will find
1	National Construction Code — NCC / BCA	Building requirements, housing provisions, technical handbooks and learning resources.
2	NSW Planning	Approval pathways, development applications and guidance for homeowners.
3	NSW Planning Spatial Viewer	Search a property's zoning, planning controls and mapped constraints.
4	BASIX	NSW residential water, energy and thermal-performance requirements.
5	NSW Legislation	Search Acts, regulations, Local Environmental Plans and State Environmental Planning Policies.
6	Government Architect NSW	Design guidance, housing resources and the Connecting with Country framework.
7	NSW RFS — Building on Bush Fire Prone Land	Bushfire planning, assessment and building guidance.
8	Heritage NSW	Heritage information, conservation resources and approval guidance.
9	Building Commission NSW	Building regulation, industry information and consumer resources.
10	Standards Australia	Search Australian Standards for construction, materials and technical requirements.

Architecture, professional practice + technical learning

#	Website	What readers will find
11	Australian Institute of Architects	Architecture awards, professional development, practice resources and student support.
12	NSW Architects Registration Board	Architect registration, professional standards and resources for clients and practitioners.
13	Association of Consulting Architects	Running an architecture practice: fees, employment, contracts and business resources.
14	Australian Architecture Association	Architecture walks, house visits and opportunities to learn about Sydney's buildings.
15	Australian Institute of Landscape Architects	Landscape architecture, climate-positive design, awards and professional learning.
16	Design Institute of Australia	Design industry news, professional networks and resources across design disciplines.
17	Engineers Australia — Resources	Technical publications, professional guidance and early-career engineering resources.
18	WoodSolutions	Timber design tools, construction guidance, case studies and educational webinars.
19	Think Brick Australia	Brick and masonry technical manuals, detailing guidance and educational presentations.
20	NATSPEC — TECHreports + TECHnotes	Concise technical guidance for specification writing and building documentation.

Sustainable building + better-performing homes

#	Website	What readers will find
21	Your Home — House Designs	Free architect-designed house plans, climate-responsive layouts and energy-efficient design ideas.
22	Green Building Council of Australia	Green Star, sustainable building resources, industry education and research.
23	Australian Passivhaus Association	Passivhaus principles, training and examples of high-performance buildings.
24	Renew	Practical sustainable-home advice, research, education and community programs.
25	Sustainable House Day	Real sustainable homes, homeowner experiences, open-house events and recorded workshops.
26	Home Energy Rating — including NatHERS	Understanding home energy assessments, finding assessors and improving energy performance.
27	Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council	Research and policy resources on building sustainability and embodied carbon.
28	GECA — Good Environmental Choice Australia	Independently certified products, ecolabel information and sustainable purchasing resources.
29	Living Future Oceania	Regenerative design, materials transparency and Living Building Challenge resources.
30	Sustainable Builders Alliance	A practical roadmap to low-carbon homes, with tools, webinars and podcasts.

Architecture magazines + design inspiration

#	Website	What readers will find
31	ArchitectureAu	Australian architecture projects, industry news, interviews and design commentary.
32	Landscape Australia	Landscape architecture, public spaces, urban design and project reviews.
33	Sanctuary Magazine	Sustainable Australian homes, renovations, materials and practical design advice.
34	Green Magazine	Sustainable architecture, gardens, thoughtful interiors and material inspiration.
35	The Local Project	Residential architecture, interiors, product design and architectural films.
36	The Design Files	Australian homes, creative people, architecture and approachable renovation inspiration.
37	Habitus Living	Residential architecture and interiors across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
38	Never Too Small	Clever compact homes, apartment layouts, adaptable joinery and small-space design.
39	ArchDaily	International architecture projects and precedents for design research.
40	Dezeen	International architecture, interiors and contemporary design news.

Eco living, gardens + everyday sustainability

#	Website	What readers will find
41	Energy.gov.au — Households	Practical guidance on appliances, insulation, heating, cooling and electrification.
42	NSW Climate and Energy Action — Households	NSW energy-saving information, household upgrades, rebates and incentives.
43	Rewiring Australia	Household electrification, solar, research and tools for planning the switch to electric.
44	Planet Ark	Environmental initiatives and practical ways to reduce everyday environmental impacts.
45	Recycling Near You	Find local reuse and recycling options for household materials and unwanted items.
46	Sustainable Gardening Australia	Sustainable gardening education, climate-resilient gardens and downloadable resources.
47	Gardening Australia	Gardening stories, practical demonstrations and Australian planting inspiration.
48	Permaculture Australia	Permaculture education, community connections and resources for regenerative living.
49	Milkwood	Permaculture, growing food and practical guides for more sustainable everyday living.
50	CERES	Environmental education, urban farming, community gardens and sustainability workshops.

06 | Directory of links and articles