Mosman Architects & Renovation Design Guide

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Working with homeowners across Mosman and the Lower North Shore.

Homes that suit Mosman

From Balmoral slopes to tree-lined back streets, Mosman homes work hard with views, levels and tight setbacks. We design and build architect-led homes that sit comfortably in their streetscape while opening up light, storage and everyday living.

Registered Architect #11016 · Licensed Builder 317471C

Our Work

  • Wahroonga Heritage

    A carefully detailed heritage home update, blending original character with contemporary living.

  • Greenwich House

    A harbour-side family home on a narrow Lower North Shore street, balancing structure, light and privacy.

Design + Build: One Seamless Process

Mosman projects often involve complex logistics (narrow streets, cranes, and heritage protection). Our integrated team manages the risk from day one.

One team. One contract. Total accountability.

Our Services

Mosman FAQs

  • Yes. While street facades are protected, modern rear extensions are often permitted. We manage all heritage designs and approvals for you.

  • Excavation and access on steep sites do increase costs. We provide a transparent, site-specific budget during Feasibility so there are no surprises.

  • Yes. We manage the entire process (from DA documentation to council liaison) so you have a single point of accountability.

Our Insights

Stay ahead with the latest design and construction trends. Our team is always exploring new ideas, techniques, and industry insights to bring you the best.

More Insights

Design & Planning Insights for Mosman Homes

Heritage & Streetscape

Mosman is one of Sydney’s most tightly controlled areas for streetscape and heritage. Many streets sit within Heritage Conservation Areas, with strict requirements around roof form, facade rhythm, side setbacks, and even fencing style. 

From precincts around Raglan Street to Bradleys Head Road, "sympathetic design" is essential.

Any renovation or addition needs to read as part of the existing pattern, not a standalone statement piece. For architect-led projects, that means starting with context: 

  • the era of the house (often Federation or Inter-war), 

  • how neighbouring homes step down the hill, 

  • and where existing view lines and trees sit. 

We’ll often test several options that keep the street façade largely intact while opening up the rear and internal layout for modern family life.

In practice, a good Mosman scheme usually:

  • Retains or respectfully reworks the front rooms and roofline.

  • Hides upper-level additions within the roof form where possible.

  • Uses materials that feel familiar to the street, even when the detailing is contemporary.

  • Treats front gardens, steps, and entries as part of the overall composition.

What we specialise in:

  • Facade restoration: Repairing or replacing original elements and sourcing compatible bricks, tiles, and slate to satisfy Council requirements.

  • Modern rear additions: Creating open-plan living spaces and outdoor rooms that are largely invisible from the street, delivering modern comfort within heritage controls.

Getting this balance right early makes the DA process smoother and reduces the risk of costly redesign later.

Slopes, Sandstone & Views

Most Mosman sites are far from flat. From Balmoral slopes to streets above Chinamans Beach, blocks are often steep, with sandstone cuttings, undercroft garages, and stair-heavy entries, along with prized harbour views that neighbours will want to protect. Building here requires careful structure, access planning, and view management.

The challenge is to unlock light and outlook without creating an awkward home that’s all stairs and compromises. From a design–build perspective, we look at structure and circulation together.

That can mean:

  • Re-stacking levels so daily living happens on the best light/view level, not just the street level.

  • Using split-level moves to deal with slope, rather than excessive excavation.

  • Planning parking, storage, and services so they don’t dominate the façade.

  • Designing decks, terraces, and external stairs that feel generous but still meet privacy and view-sharing controls.

What we specialise in:

  • Geotechnical stability: Working with engineers to anchor new work into sandstone bedrock and manage movement over time.

  • View sharing: Shaping rooflines and window placement to maximise your views while respecting view-sharing rules, a common issue in Mosman DAs.

Because our construction team is involved from the feasibility stage, we can price options accurately, flag when excavation or retaining is driving cost, and suggest alternatives that keep the project buildable. 

The aim is a Mosman home that feels calm and effortless to live in, even on a complex site.


Start Your Mosman Project

Book a 15-minute discovery call. We’ll review your property’s planning controls and potential.

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Not in Mosman? Explore our North Shore and Northern Beaches guides.