Specialist Disability Accommodation · Sydney and NSW
SDA architects for Sydney and NSW
We design Specialist Disability Accommodation that meets the SDA Design Standard, gets through Council or a certifier, and is ready for enrolment. For investors, developers, SDA and SIL providers, and families.
- Registered Architect, NSW No. 11683
- Design Practitioner under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act
- NDIA-accredited SDA Assessor
- DA approvals for Class 3 SDA in Botany and Rosebery
Every project is quoted to its scope. Tell us about your site and we will come back with a clear fee proposal.
Why SDA projects stall
Most SDA projects don't fail on design. They fail on decisions made too late.
SDA sits where four sets of rules meet: the SDA Design Standard, the NCC, NSW planning controls and the DBP Act. When these are dealt with one at a time, the design gets redrawn, approvals slow down and enrolment is put at risk.
- Design category. Which category the site and budget can realistically support, and what that means for the floor plan.
- Building class. Whether the project is likely to be Class 1b, Class 2 or Class 3 under the NCC, and the fire, access and certification consequences of that choice.
- Approval pathway. Whether a CDC is possible or a DA is needed, and what Council will focus on.
- Certification. What the SDA assessor will need at design stage and at completion, so there are no surprises at handover.
Get these right first and the rest of the project has a clear path.
Our SDA services
One point of contact, from feasibility to handover
LVA leads the design and coordinates a trusted network of consultants and builders, so you deal with one team instead of managing each discipline yourself.
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| SDA feasibility and site review | Zoning, lot size, likely design category, dwelling yield and approval pathway, before you commit to a site or a design |
| SDA design | Concept to detailed design to the SDA Design Standard, for new builds and conversions of existing homes |
| DA and CDC approvals | Approval strategy, consultant coordination, lodgement and responses to Council or certifier RFIs |
| Construction Certificate documentation | CC drawings, specifications and DBP Act design compliance declarations for regulated designs |
| Accessibility | Design coordination with AS 1428 and the NCC access provisions |
| SDA assessment support | Preparing the design and documentation the SDA assessor needs at design stage and at completion |
| Consultant and builder coordination | Structural, fire, services, BASIX and other consultants, plus builders from our network, managed as one team |
Every project is different. Contact us to discuss scope and a quotation.
SDA design categories
Four design categories, four different buildings
The SDA Design Standard sets four design categories. The category you choose shapes the floor plan, the structure, the fit-out and the cost, so it needs to be decided before design starts.
| Design category | Who it is designed for | What it typically means for the design |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Liveability | People with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment | Improved wayfinding, lighting, contrast and a home that is easy to understand and move through |
| Fully Accessible | People with significant physical impairment | Step-free access, wider circulation and accessible kitchens and bathrooms throughout |
| Robust | People with complex behaviours | Durable construction and finishes, safe and quiet spaces, and design that reduces the risk of harm |
| High Physical Support | People with significant physical impairment and very high support needs | Fully accessible design plus structural provision for ceiling hoists, emergency power, and space for support workers |
This is a plain-English summary. The SDA Design Standard sets the actual requirements, and we design to the current edition.
New build or conversion
Build new, or adapt what you already own
Both can work. The right answer depends on the site, the existing structure and the design category you are aiming for.
Converting an existing home or building
This can save time and land cost, but the existing structure has to suit the category. Door widths, bathroom sizes, floor levels and ceiling strength for hoists all need checking early. In Cranebrook we secured design approval to convert an existing house to High Physical Support. In Wollongong we are converting standard units into NDIS-compliant Class 2 apartments.
Building new
A new build gives full control over layout, structure and services, and is often the simpler path for High Physical Support or multiple dwellings. Our SDA duplex in Bellbird is an example.
Selected SDA projects
SDA projects across Sydney and NSW
Class 3 SDA Housing, Botany
Class 3 SDA on an existing residential site, Bayside Council
View project → DA approvedClass 3 SDA Housing, Rosebery
Class 3 SDA close to the Sydney CBD
View project → DA approvedClass 3 SDA Housing, Bankstown
Class 3 Specialist Disability Accommodation in Bankstown
View project → Design approvalExisting home to SDA, Cranebrook
Conversion of an existing house to High Physical Support
View project →SDA Housing, St Marys
Purpose-built home for people with high support needs
View project →SDA duplex, Bellbird
Dual occupancy designed to High Physical Support
View project →NDIS Housing, Kingswood
Class 3 accommodation for High Physical Support, LVA as architect and design practitioner
View project →NDIS Housing, Armidale
Class 3 accommodation for High Physical Support, LVA as architect and design practitioner
View project →NDIS Apartments, Wollongong
Converting standard units into NDIS-compliant Class 2 apartments
View project →Our process
From first conversation to handover
- First conversation. You tell us about the site, the target design category and your timeline. We tell you honestly whether it stacks up.
- Feasibility and fee proposal. We review the planning controls and SDA requirements, then send a written proposal with a clear scope.
- Concept design. Layouts tested against the SDA Design Standard, the NCC and the planning controls, with early input from the consultant team.
- Approval. DA or CDC documentation, lodgement and responses to Council or certifier requests.
- Construction Certificate. Coordinated CC documentation and DBP Act design compliance declarations.
- Construction and completion. Support during construction and the documentation needed for as-built SDA certification and enrolment.
FAQs
Common questions about SDA design
What does an SDA architect do?
An SDA architect designs housing to the SDA Design Standard, takes it through planning approval and documents it for construction. At LVA, that also means coordinating the consultants and keeping the design ready for SDA certification.
Is my SDA project Class 1b, Class 2 or Class 3?
It depends on how many people will live there, how the building is arranged and whether the dwellings are separate. The classification drives fire safety, access and certification requirements, so we confirm it with the certifier at the start.
Can SDA be approved under a CDC, or does it need a DA?
Some projects can use complying development if the site and design meet every standard. Many multi-resident SDA projects need a DA. Our free CDC or DA tool gives a first indication for your address.
How long does SDA approval take?
It depends on the pathway, the Council and the complexity of the project. A CDC is usually faster than a DA. We give you a realistic timeline once we have reviewed the site.
What does an SDA assessor do?
An accredited SDA assessor checks the design against the SDA Design Standard and certifies it, at design stage and again once it is built. That certification is needed before the dwelling can be enrolled with the NDIA. Read more.
Do you work outside Sydney?
Yes. We have SDA and NDIS housing projects in Armidale, Wollongong and Bellbird as well as across Sydney.
How much does SDA design cost?
Every project is quoted to its scope. Contact us with your site and goals and we will prepare a fee proposal.
Further reading
Read more on SDA
Planning an SDA project?
Tell us about your site, your target design category and your timeline. Kevin will come back to you within two business days with initial thoughts and a fee proposal.