Residential Design

## The Real Deal About Designing a Triplex (From Someone Who’s Done It) Alright, let’s talk triplex design. And I mean *really* talk about it… not the glossy magazine version where everything looks perfect and costs seem to magically disappear. I’ve been in this game long enough to know that when someone’s thinking about a triplex, they’re usually asking themselves “how the heck do I make three homes work on one block without it looking like I just stacked boxes?” **Fair question.** ## First Things First – What Even IS a Triplex? Look, a triplex is basically three separate living spaces under one roof (or sometimes cleverly designed to look like one building). Think of it as the middle child between a duplex and an apartment building. Not quite as simple as splitting things in two… but not as complex as managing 20 units either. The beauty? You get three rental incomes. Or maybe you live in one and rent out two. Or your extended family all lives together but separately. The possibilities are actually pretty exciting when you think about it. ## The Stuff Nobody Tells You About Here’s where it gets real. Designing a triplex isn’t just about drawing three boxes and calling it a day. **Nope.** You’ve got to think about: – **Privacy** – Because nobody wants to hear their neighbor’s Netflix marathon at 2am – **Access** – Three separate entrances that don’t make your property look like a maze – **Parking** – Oh boy, the parking… Sydney councils have opinions about this – **Services** – Three sets of utilities that somehow need to make sense – **Fire separation** – This is the big one. The rules are strict and for good reason ## The Council Dance (Yes, It’s a Thing) Alright so… councils. They’re going to want to know *everything*. And I mean everything. Your site coverage, your setbacks, your height limits, how many trees you’re keeping, where the bins go, how wide your driveways are. It’s like they have a checklist of 1000 things and guess what? They actually do. But here’s the thing – **this is where good design really matters**. When you nail the design from the start, council approvals become so much smoother. Trust me on this one. ## The Money Talk (Because Let’s Be Honest) I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. Triplex design involves: – **Initial design fees** – Getting it right the first time saves money later – **Council application fees** – These vary but budget for them – **Engineering reports** – Structural, stormwater, maybe acoustic – **BASIX certificates** – Energy efficiency isn’t optional anymore – **Construction certificates** – The final hurdle before building But here’s what people forget… **good design actually saves money**. When your spaces are efficient, when your construction details make sense, when your builder isn’t scratching their head every five minutes – that’s where the real savings are. ## Making It Actually Work So what makes a triplex design actually *good*? **Flow.** Each unit needs to feel like a home, not a compartment. Natural light, cross ventilation, outdoor space that’s actually usable. **Character.** Just because it’s three units doesn’t mean it has to look institutional. Some of the best triplexes I’ve seen look like large family homes from the street. **Future thinking.** Design for how people actually live. Where do the bikes go? The prams? The Amazon deliveries? This stuff matters more than you think. ## The Design Process (The Real One) Here’s how it actually works: 1. **Site analysis** – What can actually fit? What are the rules? What’s the neighborhood like? 2. **Concept sketches** – Quick ideas, lots of them. Finding what clicks 3. **Client feedback** – Because it’s your vision we’re bringing to life 4. **Detailed design** – This is where the magic happens. Every door, window, power point 5. **3D visualization** – See it before it’s built. Make changes while they’re still cheap 6. **Documentation** – All those drawings the council and builders need 7. **Approvals** – The paperwork marathon (but we handle that) 8. **Construction support** – Because questions always come up during the build ## Why This Matters in Sydney Sydney’s changing. Land’s expensive. Families want to stay close. Investors need better returns. Triplex design isn’t just about maximizing land anymore… it’s about creating homes that work for how we live now. Maybe it’s multi-generational living. Maybe it’s that sweet rental income. Maybe it’s just making the most of what you’ve got. ## The Bottom Line Look, I could go on about setback requirements and fire ratings and waste management plans. But here’s what really matters: **Good triplex design is about balance.** Balancing what you want with what’s allowed. Balancing privacy with community. Balancing your budget with your dreams. It’s complex? Sure. But when you see three families living comfortably on a site that used to hold one old house… when you see the rental returns… when you see how *right* it can look… That’s when you know it was worth getting the design right from the start. — *Need someone who actually gets this stuff? Who’s dealt with Sydney councils more times than they can count? Who knows how to make three homes feel like… well, homes?* *That’s what we do. Every day. And we’re pretty good at it.*

Look, I’ve renovated more homes than I can count, and let me tell you – it’s not rocket science, but man, it’s easy to mess up if you don’t know what you’re doing. I remember this one time, couple years back, I watched my neighbor try to “save money” by doing everything himself. Poor guy ended up spending triple what he budgeted because he had to redo half the work. Don’t be that guy. ## **Start With The Boring Stuff (Trust Me On This)** You wanna jump straight into picking tiles and paint colors, right? I get it. But hold your horses. First thing – and I mean the VERY first thing – you gotta know what you’re working with. Get a proper assessment done. Check the bones of your place. Foundation issues? Electrical problems? Water damage hiding behind those walls? Find out NOW, not after you’ve spent 20k on a fancy kitchen. Here in Sydney, you can’t just knock down walls willy-nilly. You need permits, approvals, the whole nine yards. And trust me, the council doesn’t care that you already bought the materials. They’ll make you tear it all down if you didn’t do the paperwork right. ## **Budget Like Your Life Depends On It** Okay, whatever number you have in your head right now? Add 30% to it. Seriously. Here’s how I break it down: – **60%** for the must-haves (structure, plumbing, electrical) – **25%** for the nice-to-haves (that dream kitchen) – **15%** for the oh-crap fund (because something WILL go wrong) And please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t blow your entire budget on one room. I’ve seen people create these magazine-worthy kitchens while the rest of their house looks like it’s from 1982. ## **Get The Right People (This Is Where Most Folks Screw Up)** You wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself, would you? So why try to design and manage a whole renovation without pros? A good building designer isn’t just drawing pretty pictures. They’re thinking about: – How your space actually flows – Where the sun hits at different times – How to maximize every square meter – Making sure everything’s up to code I’ve worked with teams that handle everything from the initial sketches to getting council approvals. The good ones will even stick around during construction to make sure the builders don’t “interpret” the plans their own way. ## **The Order Matters (Like, Really Matters)** Don’t be that person installing new floors before fixing the roof. Here’s the order that actually makes sense: 1. **Structural stuff** – Foundation, roof, walls 2. **Systems** – Plumbing, electrical, HVAC 3. **Insulation and drywall** 4. **Flooring** 5. **Kitchen and bathrooms** 6. **Painting and finishing touches** Mess this up and you’ll be ripping out brand new work. Expensive mistake. ## **Small Spaces? Get Creative** Not everyone’s renovating a mansion. Most of us are trying to make our regular homes work better. Here’s what works: – **Built-ins everywhere** – That weird corner? Built-in storage. Space under the stairs? More storage. – **Multi-purpose everything** – Dining table that extends, ottoman with storage inside, you get the idea – **Light colors and big mirrors** – Oldest trick in the book because it actually works – **Open plan (if you can)** – Knocking down non-structural walls between kitchen and living areas is a game-changer ## **Sustainability Isn’t Just Trendy BS** Look, I used to roll my eyes at all the eco-friendly stuff too. But here’s the thing – it actually saves you money long term. Good insulation? Lower energy bills forever. Water-efficient fixtures? Same deal. Solar panels? They basically pay for themselves these days. Plus, if you’re in Sydney, you need that BASIX certificate anyway. Might as well lean into it and do it right. ## **The Reality Check** Renovating while living in the space? It’s gonna suck. No sugar-coating it. Dust everywhere, no kitchen for weeks, contractors showing up at 7am. If you can crash somewhere else for the worst of it, do it. Your sanity (and relationship) will thank you. Timeline? Whatever the contractor tells you, add 50%. Weather delays, material shortages, surprise problems when they open up the walls – it all adds time. ## **Final Words From Someone Who’s Been There** The best renovation isn’t the one that looks perfect on Instagram. It’s the one that makes your life better every single day. Focus on function first, then make it pretty. And honestly? Sometimes the smartest move is admitting you need help. A good design team can save you from expensive mistakes and actually get you better results than going it alone. They know the local councils, they know what works in Sydney homes, and they’ve seen every possible problem before. Your home should work for YOU, not the other way around. Keep that in mind and you’ll do just fine. *Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go help my neighbor fix the “minor” flooding issue from his DIY bathroom reno. Some people never learn.*

Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know when something just makes sense. And multi-residential design? It’s one of those things that ticks so many boxes you’d think it was too good to be true. But it’s not. ## **The Money Side (Because Let’s Be Real)** First things first – the financial benefits are massive. When you’re designing multiple dwellings on a single block, you’re essentially multiplying your income potential without multiplying your land costs. Smart, right? Think about it: – **One block of land, multiple income streams** – **Shared infrastructure costs** (one driveway can service multiple units) – **Better return on investment** than a single dwelling – **Tax benefits** that your accountant will love I’ve seen clients in Sydney transform underutilized blocks into goldmines. And no, that’s not an exaggeration. ## **The Design Magic That Actually Works** Here’s where it gets interesting. Multi-residential design isn’t just about cramming as many units as possible onto a block. It’s about creating spaces that people actually want to live in. The best part? **You get to be creative with:** – Shared courtyards that foster community – Private spaces that still feel spacious – Smart layouts that maximize natural light – Storage solutions that actually make sense I remember this one project where we turned a tired old house into three stunning units. Each one felt like a proper home, not a compromise. That’s the sweet spot. ## **Why Sydney’s Going Crazy For It** Let me paint you a picture. Sydney’s growing. Fast. And not everyone can afford (or wants) a massive house with a giant backyard. Multi-residential design solves real problems: – **Housing affordability** – smaller units, lower price points – **Urban density** done right – **Sustainable living** (less sprawl, more community) – **Aging in place** options for extended families ## **The Hidden Benefits Nobody Talks About** Okay, here’s the stuff that doesn’t make it into the glossy brochures but matters just as much: **Community Building** When you design multiple residences thoughtfully, you create natural opportunities for neighbors to connect. Shared gardens, common areas, even just well-designed entrances that encourage a quick chat. **Flexibility For Life Changes** Your needs at 25 are different from your needs at 65. Multi-residential properties can adapt. Live in one, rent the others. Have family move in. Downsize without leaving. The options are endless. **Environmental Win** Smaller footprints per dwelling. Shared walls mean better insulation. Less land clearing. It all adds up to a lighter touch on the planet. ## **But Here’s The Catch…** Not all multi-residential designs are created equal. I’ve seen some absolute disasters where developers tried to cut every corner. The difference? Working with designers who actually understand: – **Local council requirements** (trust me, this is huge) – **Privacy concerns** between units – **Acoustic separation** (nobody wants to hear their neighbor’s TV) – **Natural light and ventilation** for every space ## **Making It Work For You** So how do you know if multi-residential design is right for your property? Ask yourself: – Is your block big enough? (Most councils have minimum requirements) – What’s the zoning like in your area? – Are you looking for investment income or family accommodation? – Do you want to stay involved as a landlord or sell off individually? The answers to these questions shape everything. ## **The Bottom Line** Multi-residential design isn’t just a trend. It’s a response to how we actually live now. Smaller households, bigger communities, smarter use of land. When it’s done right – with proper planning, thoughtful design, and attention to detail – it creates homes people love AND investments that perform. That’s not a compromise. That’s a win-win. And in today’s market? Those are getting harder to find. — *Want to explore if multi-residential design could work for your property? The team at Mizan Design Studio specializes in creating multi-residential projects that actually make sense – financially, practically, and aesthetically. They know Sydney’s planning requirements inside out and can guide you through the entire process.*