Secondary Dwelling Design

Building Design Services | Sunshine Coast

DraftRoom provides considered secondary dwelling and granny flat design across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton Bay.

Whether the additional dwelling is intended for family, independent living, guests or greater flexibility in how the property is used, the design needs to work with more than just the available backyard space.

Before we draw, we consider the relationship with the existing home, orientation, privacy, access, parking, site levels, services and the planning and building requirements affecting the property.

A secondary dwelling may be smaller than the primary home, but that does not necessarily make the project simple. Flood, bushfire, setbacks, wastewater, existing structures and service connections can all influence what is possible.

The aim is to create a compact, comfortable home that makes intelligent use of the site while fitting naturally into the wider property.

From initial site review through concept design, consultant coordination and detailed working drawings, the important decisions are resolved before progressing towards building certification and construction.

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Planning a secondary dwelling? Tell us what you’d like to achieve.

Discuss Your Secondary Dwelling

A smarter way to plan your new secondary dwelling

  • Understand the whole site

    Understand the whole site

    Review access, orientation, levels, services and planning constraints early, before deciding where the secondary dwelling should be positioned.

  • Make better use of space

    Make better use of space

    Create a compact home that balances privacy, natural light, outdoor connection and everyday function without unnecessary floor area.

  • Resolve constraints early

    Resolve constraints early

    Test setbacks, flood, bushfire, services and construction requirements while the design is still flexible and easier to adjust.

  • Move forward with clarity

    Move forward with clarity

    Progress with coordinated drawings that give builders, consultants and certifiers clear information to price, assess and build from.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • “Granny flat” is the common term homeowners often use, while secondary dwelling is generally the terminology used in planning and building documentation. The specific requirements depend on the property and relevant planning framework.

  • Start with a review of the site. Property size, planning controls, setbacks, access, services, flood, bushfire, wastewater and existing development can all influence what is possible.

    Contact us for a free Site Assessment.

  • The permitted size depends on the planning requirements applying to the property and location. We review the relevant controls before developing the design rather than assuming a standard maximum applies to every site.

  • Not every secondary dwelling follows the same approval pathway. Some projects may proceed without a Development Application where the relevant requirements are satisfied, while others require further planning assessment. Building certification will generally still be required for the building work.

  • Potentially, however the existing building must first be assessed for its proposed residential use. Structure, floor levels, ceiling heights, energy efficiency and other current building requirements can make a conversion more involved than it initially appears.

  • A contour and feature survey is commonly recommended so the design can accurately respond to boundaries, site levels, existing buildings and other property features. We can confirm the appropriate survey requirements after reviewing the site.

  • No. If you already have consultants, we are happy to coordinate with them. Alternatively, we can provide referrals to experienced surveyors, structural engineers, town planners, certifiers, energy assessors and other specialists from our consultant network.

  • Yes. We can work with a builder you have already selected or develop the design independently before you seek construction pricing. Builder feedback can also be useful once the concept is sufficiently resolved.

  • Fees depend on the site, complexity, approval pathway and level of documentation required. Once we understand the property and intended scope, we can prepare a detailed fee proposal outlining the stages and services included.

  • Yes. DraftRoom works throughout the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton Bay, with selected residential projects also undertaken across Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and other parts of South East Queensland.

Free Site Assessment

DraftRoom offer a no obligation, free Site Assessment to help you identify opportunities, constraints, and the development potential of your property. Learn more

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