Architectural Services Sydney: A Journey of Vision and Purpose
Architectural services in Sydney blending creativity, integrity, and sustainable design. A design studio committed to shaping a thoughtful society.
It is a rare and meaningful coincidence to have you here. Yet, perhaps it is not coincidence at all, but a quiet resonance in our thoughts, values, and shared aspirations that has brought you to this message.
At giantA Pty Ltd®, we see architecture not only as a profession but as a vocation—a path of service, creativity, and responsibility. We approach each project as an opportunity to shape a space that reflects both the dreams of its occupants and the broader needs of our community. As one of the dedicated architecture firms in Sydney Australia, we hold firmly to principles of professional integrity, human dignity, and a genuine spirit of collaboration.
Architectural Services with Vision Beyond the Present
We believe architecture should not be limited to solving today’s needs—it must envision the future. Our work as residential architects in Sydney and commercial architects in Sydney is guided by the understanding that a well-designed space can uplift daily life, strengthen human connection, and endure with timeless relevance.
Our role is not only to prepare architectural drawings or develop construction documents, but to listen deeply, understand your aspirations, and translate them into tangible form. Whether in home architecture design, sustainable architecture, or green architecture, we strive to design spaces that feel both personal and purposeful.
The Values That Shape Our Work
Architecture, for us, is an offering—a contribution towards a more thoughtful and beautiful society. Every member of our architecture studio is committed to combining technical precision with artistic sensitivity. We see each project as a dialogue between form and function, structure and emotion, nature and the built environment.
In our practice, sustainability is not an afterthought but a core principle. From BASIX and NatHERS compliance to integrating landscape and architecture, we aim to design buildings that respect the environment while enhancing the lives of those who inhabit them.
A Partnership Built on Trust
You may place your trust in our team. We are more than just an architecture office—we are a design studio where ideas, skills, and values converge. Whether you are seeking a registered architect for a home, a visionary architect commercial for a business space, or a partner to bring an innovative architecture and interior design concept to life, we are here to serve with sincerity.
Our work is our commitment to you, to our community, and to the belief that architecture can be a force for good.
Approval & Design Services
NSW planning approval pathways — DA, CDC, BIC and modifications.
Development Application (DA)
Council DA documentation, SEE coordination, BASIX, lodgement via NSW Planning Portal. 6–16 weeks.
Learn more →Complying Development (CDC)
Fast-track 2–4 week approvals for code-compliant residential projects. Certifier coordination.
Learn more →Building Information Certificate
BIC for unauthorised work, council structural adequacy certificates, rectification documentation.
Learn more →Section 4.55 Modification
Modify approved DAs via s 4.55 (1) & (2) applications. Amended plans, consent conditions.
Learn more →Dwelling Services
Residential buildings — NCC Class 1a, 1b, 10a, 10b.
Duplex Design
Dual occupancy design, feasibility, DA & CDC. 450 m²+ lots. Subdivision strategy.
Learn more →Townhouse Design
Multi-dwelling yield feasibility, R3 zoning, Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, DA.
Learn more →Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
Secondary dwelling approvals — 60 m², CDC 2–4 weeks on qualifying lots.
Learn more →Single Dwelling (Class 1a)
New house design, semi-detached, duplex-style homes. CDC and DA pathways.
Learn more →Boarding House (Class 1b)
Small boarding houses, guest houses, B&B up to 12 persons / 300 m².
Learn more →Garage, Carport & Shed (Class 10a)
Non-habitable structures. Many exempt from approval. Larger needs DA.
Learn more →Fence, Pool & Retaining (Class 10b)
Pool safety AS 1926, fence rules, retaining wall engineering.
Learn more →Location Services
Architecture services across Greater Sydney.
Architect Parramatta
Western Sydney CBD–based. LEP/DCP expertise across Cumberland, City of Parramatta.
Learn more →Architect Western Sydney
Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool, Fairfield. Growth corridor specialists.
Learn more →All Sydney Areas We Serve
Inner West, North Shore, Eastern Suburbs, Hills District, South West, CBD.
Learn more →Specialist & Regulated Services
Commercial, institutional and regulated buildings — NCC Class 2–9.
Knockdown Rebuild
Demolition coordination, new dwelling design, DA/CDC. 18–24 months total.
Learn more →Class 2 Apartment Buildings
Regulated under DBP Act 2020. RDP declarations, fire, acoustic compliance.
Learn more →Class 3 Motel & Boarding
Larger accommodation buildings, RDP sign-off, fire engineering.
Learn more →Class 5 Office Buildings
Standalone offices, tenancy fit-outs, medical offices. Section J energy compliance.
Learn more →Class 7 & 8 Warehouse / Industrial
Industrial buildings, fire engineering, Section 68 services approvals.
Learn more →Class 9a Medical Centres
Medical centres, dental clinics, day procedures. NSW Health facility planning.
Learn more →Class 9b Childcare & Schools
Childcare centres, schools, assembly buildings. DoE approvals.
Learn more →Class 9c Aged Care
Aged care facilities, nursing homes. RDP sign-off, dementia-friendly.
Learn more →Commercial Architect (Overview)
Commercial architecture, retail fit-outs, mixed-use. RDP sign-off.
Learn more →Landscape Design Services
Council-ready landscape plans for DA, BASIX, WSUD and outdoor structures. From $800, 1–4 weeks.
Learn more →Luxury Home Design
Bespoke luxury homes $2M+. Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, prestige Sydney. End-to-end design + approval.
Learn more →Heritage & Conservation Design
Heritage-listed and conservation-area homes. Sympathetic alterations, DA + Heritage Impact Statement, adaptive reuse.
Learn more →Interior Fit-Out Design
Tenancy fit-outs across every building class — office, retail, medical, childcare, industrial, residential. CDC 2–4 weeks; DA for class changes.
Learn more →Registered Architect Design Review & Statutory Compliance Declarations
Design review, coordination and statutory declarations for NSW-regulated developments. DVS, Class 2 DBP Compliance Declarations, consultant coordination.
Learn more →Measured Survey & Existing Conditions
Detailed existing measurements & photographic survey. Existing Floor Plans with openings, beams, joinery, wall thicknesses. Hourly, pay in advance.
Learn more →Development Due Diligence & Feasibility Reports
Pre-purchase and pre-DA due diligence for developers and investors. Zoning analysis, yield calculation, site constraints, cost modelling and risk assessment.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions — Architectural Services in Sydney
How much do architectural services cost in Sydney?
For residential projects, expect $3,000–$8,000 for a single-dwelling DA package, and $8,000–$20,000+ for duplex or multi-unit designs. Fees depend on site complexity, building class, and whether BASIX/NatHERS certification is bundled. giantA provides a fixed-fee proposal after a free site feasibility check.
What is the difference between architectural design and drafting services?
Architectural design covers concept, planning compliance, 3D visualisation and consultant coordination, whereas drafting typically documents an already-agreed design for approval. Most DA/CDC lodgements need both — concept design to resolve the brief, then construction documentation to lodge. Our detailed comparison explains when each is the right fit.
How long does DA or CDC approval take in NSW?
CDC (Complying Development Certificate) — 10–20 days via a private certifier when the design meets the SEPP Housing Code. DA (Development Application) — 6–16 weeks via council, depending on complexity and whether neighbour notification triggers submissions. See our DA/CDC checklist and CDC vs DA comparison.
Do I need BASIX and NatHERS certificates with my architectural drawings?
Yes — every residential DA in NSW requires a BASIX certificate covering water, energy and thermal comfort. Most projects also need a NatHERS 7-star energy rating (from May 2027 NCC 2025 makes this stricter). giantA bundles both with the DA package so your lodgement is complete on day one.
What building classes does giantA design for?
We cover all NCC classes from Class 1a single dwellings and Class 2 apartments through to Class 9c aged care. See the full list on our architectural services page.
Do you work outside Parramatta and Western Sydney?
Yes. While our studio is at Parramatta Square, we serve all of Greater Sydney, including the Western Sydney growth corridors, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong. Site visits and council meetings are included in our standard service.