Skip to main content

Duplex Design

Balanced. Functional. Beautiful.

At Santolo Designs, we specialise in duplex design that maximises the potential of your block while delivering stylish, functional homes.

A duplex (also called a dual occupancy) is a smart way to create two homes on one lot, whether for investment, extended family living, or selling one to help fund the other. We design duplexes that are tailored to your site, compliant with planning controls, and appealing to modern buyers.

New Dwelling
Cranebrook

Why Duplex Design Matters

A great duplex starts with a great design. Unlike a standard home, duplexes come with unique challenges: licensing requirements, site constraints, compliance with local planning controls, and the need to balance two dwellings on one lot. Before a builder can price or start construction, you need a duplex design that is both creative and practical.

At Santolo Designs, we are experts in duplex and dual occupancy design. We understand the NSW planning framework and know how to create duplexes that tick all the boxes from approvals to resale value. By getting the design right from the start, we set your project up for smoother approvals, accurate builder pricing, and a final result that works for both your goals and the market.

Start Your Home Design

What’s Included in Our Duplex Design Service

Site-Specific Solutions

Every duplex block is different. We design with frontage, slope, orientation, and local planning controls in mind to unlock your site’s potential.

A Tailored Design Approach

We don’t work from generic duplex plans. We create unique layouts that respond to your site, goals, and whether you plan to live in, rent out, or sell the dwellings.

Functional and Marketable Layouts

Our duplex designs balance day-to-day liveability with features that appeal to future buyers and tenants, ensuring long-term value.

Planning Compliance

Duplexes must meet strict planning requirements. We design in line with NSW planning rules to make approvals smoother and reduce costly redesigns later.

Approvals and Documentation

Our duplex designs come with the documentation required for council or certifier approvals and for accurate builder pricing.
A modern duplex design concept featuring a sleek façade, large windows, and a well-defined entryway, surrounded by greenery.

Our Duplex Design Process

1

Initial Consultation

We start by learning your vision, financial goals, and how you plan to use the duplex, whether as an investment or for family living.
2

Concept Design

From your brief, we create unique duplex concepts that maximise yield, functionality, and compliance with planning controls.
3

Approvals & Documentation

Once refined, we prepare detailed plans aligned with NSW planning requirements, ready to support council approvals and builder pricing.
4

Ready to Build

With approvals in place, you’ll have a complete duplex design package that is ready for accurate builder pricing and construction.
Book Consultation

Ready to Design Your Duplex?

Your builder cannot price or start a duplex project without a great design. That’s where we come in. Let’s create a duplex design that’s unique to your site, your goals, and the market.

Start Your Duplex Design

New Dwelling
Lidcombe