Residential Design
Extensions | Renovations | New Homes
Whether you are adding space to your existing home or creating your dream build, we develop practical designs tailored to your lifestyle.
Start your design
Residential & Commercial Building Design Specialists Across the Illawarra, Sutherland Shire and Surrounding NSW Regions
Not sure where to start?
Design MJB delivers reliable residential and commercial building design: safe, compliant house designs with clean finishes and documentation your builder, certifier and council can work from. Requesting a quote is easy, with one call or a short enquiry form.
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Awards Finalist
2025 & 2026 -
Class 2 Practitioners
NSW Fair Trading -
$20m Public Liability
icare Insured -
Local Studio
Helensburgh NSW -
Owner-Operated
Personal Service
Call us today: 0428 900 209
Proudly serving Helensburgh to the South Coast NSW
What We Do
Residential building design NSW homeowners and businesses rely on, shaped around your lifestyle, site conditions, budget and approval pathway, from first ideas to builder-ready plans.
Development Applications
DA Preparation | Council Liaison | Documentation
Taking the stress out of the approval process by preparing accurate documentation and managing council requirements.
Get your DA moving
3D Renders & Concepts
Visualisation | Design Options | Client Presentations
See your project before construction begins with realistic 3D concepts.
See your project firstFeatured Project
House Concept Design: 3D Walkthrough
Before a single wall goes up, you see your home the way it will actually live: pool, alfresco, carport and all. Our 3D concept designs let you test ideas, refine the layout and walk into your build with certainty.
- Concept design and 3D visualisation
- Layouts refined around your block and budget
- Documentation ready for approvals and construction
Design Renders, Concepts & Finished Projects
What Our Clients Say
Homeowners and businesses across the Illawarra, Sutherland Shire and South Coast on working with Design MJB.
Our Residential Building Design Process
Five clear steps from first conversation to builder-ready documentation, so you always know what happens next.
Initial Consultation
Discuss your ideas, budget and project requirements.
Site Assessment
Review your property and council requirements.
Concept Design
Develop plans, renders and design options.
Approval Process
Manage DA/CDC documentation and submissions.
Construction Documentation
Prepare plans ready for your builder.
Designed With Local Council Requirements in Mind
Every site is different, and the right approval pathway depends on zoning, site constraints and local planning controls. From Wollongong's LEP and DCP, with its sloping blocks, coastal exposure, bushfire and stormwater considerations, to Sutherland Shire's controls on streetscape, setbacks, landscaping, privacy and parking, we design with the rules in mind from the start.
That means fewer redesigns, fewer surprises at assessment, and documentation that helps councils, certifiers, engineers and builders understand your project the first time. If you need DA approval assistance in NSW, we prepare the paperwork and handle the back and forth with council on your behalf.
- Early design consultation and site review
- Planning pathway guidance: DA, CDC or exempt
- DA, CDC and Construction Certificate documentation
- BASIX, energy efficiency and liveability considered in every design
- Coordination with builders, engineers, certifiers and consultants
Not Sure Where to Start?
Most of our clients begin with one of these thoughts:
- “I have an idea but need plans.”
- “I don't know if I need council approval.”
- “I want to know what's possible on my block.”
- “I need drawings my builder can quote from.”
- “I need help with DA, CDC, BASIX and certifier requirements.”
If that sounds familiar, you're exactly who we help. One phone call is usually enough to point you in the right direction.
Call 0428 900 209We Prepare Designs for These Council Areas
We work across these council areas and the surrounding local government areas as well. Our services are not limited to the councils listed here, so if your project sits outside them, give us a call and we will let you know how we can help.
Why Choose Design MJB?
Local Knowledge
We understand local council requirements and approval pathways.
Complete Design Service
From initial concepts through to approvals and construction documentation.
Personal Approach
Work directly with Michael and Bianca throughout your project.
Practical Designs
We create designs that are not only visually appealing but functional and achievable.
Designed to Be Different
At Design MJB, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all design. Every site has potential. Every client has a vision. Our role is to bring the two together.
Based in Helensburgh, NSW, we specialise in custom Building Design for new homes, renovations, extensions, secondary dwellings, dual occupancies and subdivisions.
We approach every project individually, creating considered spaces that respond to the land, maximise opportunity and reflect the way you want to live.
From the first idea through to council approval and construction documentation, we transform your vision into a design that is functional, distinctive and unmistakably yours.
Work With UsMeet The Team
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Michael Baczkowski Building Designer -
Bianca Baldwin Client Relations & Business Operations
Design MJB is a locally owned building design company helping homeowners and businesses bring their ideas to life.
Building Designers Illawarra, Sutherland Shire, Wollongong & South Coast NSW
Looking for a building designer in Shellharbour, Helensburgh, Kiama or anywhere from Greater Sydney and the Southern Highlands through to the Shoalhaven? These are the areas we know best.
Northern Illawarra
- Helensburgh
- Stanwell Park
- Otford & Coalcliff
- Scarborough & Wombarra
- Coledale & Austinmer
- Thirroul & Bulli
Wollongong & Illawarra
- Wollongong
- Fairy Meadow & Balgownie
- Corrimal & Woonona
- Figtree & Unanderra
- Dapto
- Port Kembla & Warrawong
Sutherland Shire
- Sutherland & Loftus
- Engadine & Heathcote
- Menai
- Miranda & Kirrawee
- Caringbah & Gymea
- Cronulla
South Coast NSW
- Shellharbour
- Kiama
- Gerringong
- Berry
- Nowra
- Shoalhaven
Sydney & Southern Highlands
- Greater Sydney
- Bowral
- Mittagong
- Moss Vale
- Robertson
- Bundanoon
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a residential building designer do?
A residential building designer prepares design concepts, layouts, drawings and documentation for home building projects such as new homes, renovations, extensions and second-storey additions. Design MJB takes your project from early ideas through to builder-ready plans.
Do I need a building designer or an architect?
Many residential projects in NSW can be handled by a building designer, especially practical home design, drafting, renovation plans, extension plans and documentation for approval and construction. Complex or highly specialised projects may also involve an architect or other consultants, and we'll tell you honestly if yours is one of them.
Do I need council approval for a home renovation in NSW?
It depends on the scope of work, your site, zoning and development standards. Some minor works are exempt, some straightforward projects qualify for a fast-tracked Complying Development Certificate (CDC), and others require a Development Application (DA). We review your site and explain the likely pathway before design work begins.
What is the difference between a DA and a CDC?
A Development Application (DA) is assessed by your local council. A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a fast-track approval pathway for straightforward development that meets specific state-wide standards. We prepare design documentation suited to either pathway, including Construction Certificate documentation.
What plans does a builder need to quote my project?
Builders need clear drawings, dimensions, scope information and enough documentation to understand the work involved. The more complete the documentation, the more accurate your quotes. We prepare builder-ready plans designed for accurate pricing and fewer surprises on site.
Does BASIX apply to my residential project?
BASIX applies to residential dwellings in NSW and forms part of the development application process, covering water use, energy use and thermal performance. Our designs consider orientation, natural light, ventilation, insulation and window placement so your project is positioned to meet current BASIX standards.
Which areas does Design MJB service?
As building designers in the Illawarra we're based in Helensburgh NSW and service the Sutherland Shire, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the South Coast, with projects also taken on across Sydney. Being local, we understand the coastal, sloping and bushfire-prone sites common to the region.
How do I get a quote for residential building design?
Call 0428 900 209 or send an enquiry below with your project type, suburb and a short description. Photos, existing plans or survey details help us give you a faster, more accurate quote.
Request a Residential Building Design Quote
Let's discuss your project. Fill out the form or give us a call and we'll come back to you with clear next steps.
Start Your Residential Building Design Project With Design MJB
Local, practical and personal residential building design in NSW, with clear documentation and a design process that makes the next step easy.