

Expert Architects for Randwick City Council Projects: DAs, Extensions & More
Navigating a development application (DA) in Randwick City Council requires a unique blend of design creativity and local planning expertise. As a Sydney-based architecture firm, KENURO architects has a proven track record of successfully delivering projects throughout the Randwick Council area and its neighbouring suburbs. We are also Class 2 Registered Design Practitioner, fully qualified to manage projects of all scales, from single-dwelling alterations and strata apartments to complex commercial and multi-residential developments.
We understand that the built environment of Randwick — from its heritage-listed oceanfront homes to its bustling commercial hubs — is what makes it special. Our role is to help you enhance that environment with thoughtful, compliant, and beautifully designed architecture.
Our Full Spectrum of Services in the Randwick Area
Whether you're a homeowner planning a dream renovation or a developer seeking approval for a new project, our team handles the entire process. We don't just design; we guide your project from initial concept through to council approval and beyond.
New Builds and House Extensions:
From a modest rear addition in Randwick to a complete new home in Maroubra, we design spaces tailored to your lifestyle while strictly adhering to council’s Floor Space Ratio (FSR), height, and setback controls.
House Renovations & Alterations:
Transform your existing home with a sensitive and well-planned renovation. We specialise in updating terraces in Clovelly and semis in Coogee, respecting the original character while bringing in modern light and space.
Apartment & Strata Renovations:
As experienced Class 2 Registered Designer Practitioner, we are experts in the complexities of strata-titled properties. We manage the additional approvals required for apartment renovations, ensuring all works comply with by-laws and building regulations.
Commercial & Mixed-Use Projects:
KENURO has extensive experience with commercial projects across Randwick and neighbouring councils like Waverley and Bayside. We’ve successfully delivered shop fit-outs, office upgrades, and mixed-use developments, understanding the specific DA requirements for non-residential properties.
DA-Related Projects (Driveways, Parking, & More):
A Development Application isn't just for big builds. We also assist with projects that require council approval, such as adding a new driveway, creating off-street parking, building a carport, or constructing a swimming pool and associated structures.


Why the Development Application (DA) Process in Randwick Needs a Local Expert
Randwick City Council is known for its carefully managed planning framework. The Randwick Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 and the Randwick Development Control Plan (DCP) 2013 contain specific provisions that can be challenging to interpret without local experience.
Our architect-led DA service is designed to de-risk your project. We proactively address key council concerns such as:
Heritage & Character:
Many suburbs, including parts of Randwick and Coogee, fall within Heritage Conservation Areas. We design extensions that are sympathetic and approvable.
Overshadowing & Neighbour Amenity:
We meticulously analyse solar access and privacy to minimise impact on neighbours, a critical factor in gaining council support.
Site-Specific Constraints:
From steep slopes in Clovelly to narrow lots in Kensington, we create site-responsive designs that work with the land, not against it.
Our streamlined DA process includes:
Site analysis, concept design, consultant coordination (BASIX, structural, heritage, stormwater), detailed documentation, lodgement, and ongoing liaison with council planners until your approval is secured.
Our History with Randwick City Council & Surrounding Areas
Our connection to the eastern suburbs runs deep. We haven't just completed projects here; we've built relationships and a deep understanding of the local architectural vernacular. From the Californian Bungalows of South Coogee to the contemporary apartment blocks of Kingsford and the Victorian terraces of Centennial Park, our portfolio reflects the diversity of the region.
We have successfully navigated projects in every corner of the Randwick City Council LGA, including:
Randwick, Coogee, Maroubra, Clovelly, Kensington, Kingsford, South Coogee, Malabar, La Perouse, Little Bay, Chifley, Phillip Bay, Port Botany, Matraville, Daceyville, and Hillsdale.
This granular experience means we often know what a specific council planner will look for on a project in a particular street, saving you time and money.




A Portfolio of Success in Your Neighbourhood. Selected Projects
The best way to understand our approach is to see it in action. We have successfully completed numerous projects within the Randwick City Council area, demonstrating our ability to achieve outstanding results that meet both client dreams and council requirements.
25 CHARMAN AVENUE (MAROUBRA)
Bold Contrast Meets Subtle Refinement: Architect-Designed Family Home Renovation


10 CLOVELLY ROAD (RANDWICK)
Elevating Heritage Homes with Precision & Vision


121 STOREY ROAD (MAROUBRA)
Elevating Heritage Homes with Precision & Vision


Do I Need a DA for My Project in Randwick?
It depends. Many projects can be completed as a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), which is a faster approval pathway. However, a DA is typically required if your project:
Is in a heritage conservation area.
Exceeds the strict dimensions for a CDC (e.g., building height, floor space).
Involves a new driveway or changes to site access.
Is a new commercial building or apartment renovation.
The first and most important step is a professional assessment. We can visit your site, discuss your vision, and clearly advise you on the most strategic approval pathway — whether it's a CDC or a full DA—and guide you through it.
A History Written in Sandstone and Brick
Randwick's story begins with its first mayor, Simeon Henry Pearce, who emigrated from Randwick, Gloucestershire, in the 1840s. He and his brother James were instrumental in shaping the area, building grand estates like the 1848 Blenheim House—Randwick's oldest surviving house, now being carefully restored by the council as a future arts facility . This era gave us the Victorian Georgian style, exemplified by the State Heritage-listed Hooper Cottage (c.1847), a rare surviving example of a market gardener's farmhouse that speaks to the area's pre-suburban past .
As Randwick grew, so did its architectural ambition. The construction of the magnificent Randwick Town Hall in 1882, designed by Blackmann and Parkes in a grand Italianate style, signalled the suburb's coming of age . This period cemented the civic and religious precinct around St Jude's, creating a streetscape of high heritage value that is now protected .
The early 20th century brought new layers. The Inter-war period left its mark with elegant buildings like those in the Berwick Estate in Coogee, featuring dark brick and stone facades, Marseilles terracotta tiling, and decorative leadlight windows—details that councils now actively seek to preserve . Later, post-war development introduced apartment living, changing the density and character of suburbs like Kingsford and Maroubra.
From History to Heritage: The Impact on Your Project Today
This rich tapestry means that much of Randwick is governed by strict heritage protections. Your property might be a locally listed heritage item, or more commonly, it may sit within one of several Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) , such as the newly expanded Moira Crescent HCA or the Edgcumbe Estate HCA in Coogee . For homeowners, being in an HCA doesn't mean you can't renovate or extend. It does mean that any new work must be "compatible with, or complement, the heritage significance of the area" .
This is where the interplay between history and modern planning law becomes critical. The Randwick Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 is the primary legal document that controls development, and it identifies hundreds of heritage items and conservation areas . The Randwick Development Control Plan (DCP) 2013 (currently under review) provides the specific design guidelines—for things like building setbacks, materials, roof forms, and fencing—that ensure new additions respect the old .






Why This Matters for Your DA or CDC
Navigating these overlapping layers of history and regulation is our speciality. Whether you're planning a new build, a contemporary extension, or even a project as seemingly simple as a new driveway, its success depends on a sensitive approach to the local context.
For a DA:
We must demonstrate to council planners that your proposal does not adversely impact the heritage significance of the area. Our knowledge of local Statements of Significance allows us to design extensions that are both modern and sympathetic, addressing council's core concerns from the outset .
For a CDC:
The rules are even more prescriptive. The State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Codes) explicitly restricts complying development on land that contains a "draft heritage item," meaning even properties proposed for listing are subject to extra scrutiny . A recent Land and Environment Court case highlighted how a CDC for demolition was declared invalid precisely because the property was deemed a draft heritage item, underscoring the legal complexities involved .
As Class 2 Registered Design Practitioner, KENURO architects understands this intricate balance. We see heritage not as a constraint, but as an opportunity to create architecture that is deeply rooted in its place. We help our clients navigate the planning framework — from interpreting the LEP and DCP to liaising with council’s heritage officers — so your project honours Randwick's past while embracing a contemporary future.
Start Your Project with KENURO architects
Ready to bring your vision to life? Whether you're planning a small alteration or a major development, our team has the local expertise and design excellence to make it happen.
Contact KENURO architects today for an initial consultation. Let's discuss your project and how we can achieve a successful approval in Randwick City Council.
The Architectural Heritage of Randwick: A Legacy That Shapes Today's Projects
To design for the future in Randwick, you must first understand its past. The architectural character of the Randwick City Council area is not accidental; it's a layered history spanning nearly two centuries, and it plays a pivotal role in how Development Applications (DAs) and Complying Development Certificates (CDCs) are assessed today.
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KENURO architects
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KENURO architects acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
