Get Your Home Designed & Council-Approval in Weeks — Not Months.
✔ No budget blowouts — fixed-fee transparency from day one
✔ Avoid council rejection delays — we manage the full DA process
✔ One integrated team: design, planning, and builder engagement
✔ From concept to approval in weeks, not months
Ready to See What's Possible?
Book your free 45-minute strategy session — in our Darlinghurst studio or via video call. No obligation. Most clients leave with a clearer plan than they've had in months.
Currently accepting new projects. Limited slots available each month.
FEATURED IN
10+ Years Experience
End-to-End Delivery
Fixed-Fee Transparency
Builder Engagement
“Woods Mead made the entire process feel like a partnership rather than a transaction. What truly impressed me was their knack for getting council approval without unnecessary delays.”
– Rachel Cunningham
The Woods Mead difference.
With over a decade of experience – and features in The Local Project and Custom Homes Australia, we noticed a clear gap: thoughtful design was often overpriced or painfully slow.
Woods Mead offers a better path. We deliver high-calibre home design at an accessible fixed fee and within weeks, not months. Our team manages the full journey, from early concepts and planning approvals to guiding your builder selection.
As an integrated studio of architects, designers and project leads, we create spaces that feel as good as they look. Every project moves smoothly from first sketch to final delivery, reflecting our commitment to clarity, quality and longevity.
We look forward to collaborating on your next project.
The result of seamless, end-to-end design.
Rozelle Terrace
A complete restoration and renovation that blends heritage character with modern living.
North Bondi
Restoration and major renovation of a semi-detached dwelling, transforming it into a refined residence with a high-quality contemporary design.
What sets our integrated studio apart:
10+ Years Design Experience
Integrated Town Planning Partner
Accept a Handful of Projects Each Year
End-to-End Service: Concept to Completion
Builder Engagement and Selection Support
From first sketch to final build – Our five-stage process.
Stage 1. Concept
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We begin by taking a detailed brief and creating two distinct concept options. Each concept considers both your budget and the planning controls that apply to your site. We then walk you through the design in our office, making adjustments together until it’s right. All of our designs are developed in 3D, giving you a computer-generated model to fully visualise your future home.
Stage 2. DA Documentation
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Once the concept is confirmed, we prepare a complete Development Application (DA) drawing set. This includes coordinating and organising all required external consultants, preparing the in-house town planning documentation, and finalising detailed council drawings. Everything is completed to the exact standards required for submission.
Stage 3. DA Lodgement & Management
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We lodge the application on your behalf and manage the process with Council from start to finish. Acting as the applicant, we bring our extensive experience in dealing with Councils to ensure the process is as smooth and efficient as possible.
Stage 4. Interior Design
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Alongside the DA process, we guide you through the full interior design journey. This includes finishes schedules, FF&E schedules, and the selection of materials for kitchens, bathrooms, joinery, and beyond. Our team manages the process, ensuring all interior elements complement your home’s overall design vision.
Stage 5. Builder Engagement
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When approvals are in place, we manage the builder engagement process. This includes preparing tender packages, obtaining competitive quotes, and liaising with builders to answer technical questions. Through our trusted network of quality builders, we ensure you receive the best combination of price, craftsmanship, and delivery.
The Finished Product
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Built on years of collaboration and a shared vision, Woods Mead creates bespoke homes that reflect the individuality of every client.
Current Projects
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![A modern two-story house with a black garage door, a striped front door, and a balcony with white railing. There are trees and shadows on the driveway and house.]()
Rozelle Terrace
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![Modern white house with black and wooden accents, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a black and white dog on a concrete porch.]()
Longueville House
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![Modern residential house with black garage door, white and black exterior walls, large windows, and surrounded by trees, on a clear day.]()
North Bondi
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![Modern multi-story house with large glass windows, concrete accents, and tropical plants outside, featuring a small front yard, stone steps, and an upper balcony with glass railing.]()
Clovelly House
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![Aerial view of a building under renovation, with sections of the roof and walls torn down, construction materials and debris scattered, orange safety cones, and a worker.]()
Double Bay House
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![Modern two-story house with white walls, large black-framed windows, and a balcony with a black railing, surrounded by palm trees and greenery.]()
Dover Heights House
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![Modern white house with large windows, wooden slats, and a landscaped yard with trees, on a bright day with a blue sky.]()
Maroubra House
“After over a decade working across design, council and construction, we saw how often homeowners were let down by slow processes and unpredictable costs. So we built a better way - a refined system that cuts delays, reduces costs and delivers stronger outcomes for our clients.”
Scott Bidmead & Tom Ellwood
Founders
FAQs
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Most projects move from concept to council-ready plans within a few weeks, not months. Timelines vary by council and project scope, but our streamlined process keeps things moving fast.
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Everything you need for a smooth design journey — concepts, revisions, council-ready plans, planning coordination, and builder support. One clear price from day one.
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We’re an integrated studio of designers, architects and planning partners. That means faster timelines, fewer touchpoints, clearer communication and no inflated fees.
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Yes. We manage the entire approval process — lodgement, responses, coordination and communication — so you never deal with council alone.
With our specialist planning partners and experience across NSW/VIC councils, we design with approval in mind, giving your project the strongest possible pathway.
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Yes — we support your builder selection using our trusted network of experienced builders. We help prepare tender packages, compare quotes and guide you through the decision so you get the best mix of price, craftsmanship and reliability.
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We specialise in renovations, extensions, dual occupancies, knockdown-rebuilds and custom homes across NSW and Victoria.
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Traditional planning firms handle paperwork — we handle the whole journey. We manage design, council, consultants and builder engagement under one roof, which means fewer handovers, faster timelines and a much clearer path from concept to approval.
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You’ll leave with clarity — on your site, options, planning pathway, timelines, budget expectations and next steps for your project.