Residential building design project Taylors Lakes, Melbourne western suburbs

Registered building designer for Taylors Lakes and surrounds

Extensions, granny flats, dual occupancy, and new homes. RD Building Design manages design and permits across Brimbank.

RD Building Design is a registered building design practice covering Taylors Lakes and Melbourne's wider western suburbs. We manage residential projects from the first conversation through to approved building permit drawings.

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Working with RD Building Design

Rhys Davies Building Designer (DP-AD 43008) Adv.Dip. Building Design (Arch.), Registered Building Practitioner (Arch.) RD Building Design

RD Building Design is a registered practice covering Brimbank and Melbourne's wider western suburbs. We work exclusively on residential projects.

Your project is led by an experienced building designer throughout. No hand-offs, no junior staff running the detail.

For Taylors Lakes homeowners, that means clear advice, honest timelines, and permit drawings that do the job first time.

Building designer vs architect? Here is what the difference means for your project.

knockdown rebuild design for Taylors Lakes properties

A knockdown rebuild replaces the existing dwelling with a home designed specifically for the site. No inherited floor plan compromises, no structural limitations from the original building, improved thermal comfort.

The new design works within the Brimbank Planning Scheme to use the full allowable site capacity, oriented for the way your household actually lives.

RD Building Design manages the process from feasibility confirmation through to approved building permit drawings.

Extensions designed for how you live

In Taylors Lakes, where most homeowners stay long-term, extensions are about solving a genuine problem: the kitchen that doesn't work for a growing family, the lack of a second living space, or a master bedroom that was fine for two.

Design quality matters more when you are living with the result for years. RD Building Design designs extensions around how a household actually functions: traffic flow, light, storage, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor space.

Granny flats in Taylors Lakes

Since Victoria's 2023 planning reforms, most residential properties can accommodate a secondary dwelling up to 60sqm without needing a planning permit. The building still needs to satisfy ResCode for setbacks, site coverage, and open space.

RD Building Design offers granny flat design and permits including our Boxed Buildings SIP panel range. These are precision-manufactured kits designed for fast on-site assembly. We design and document; your builder builds.

Site coverage is usually the binding constraint in Taylors Lakes. We check feasibility before any design commitment.

What you can build in Taylors Lakes

Planning controls and development potential under the Brimbank Planning Scheme

Council

Brimbank

Planning scheme

Brimbank Planning Scheme

Predominant zones

NRZ Neighbourhood residential zone

Limits housing growth. Maximum two dwellings per lot in most cases. No apartment-style development. Protects established neighbourhood character.

GRZ General residential zone

Allows moderate housing growth. Dual occupancy viable on lots of 300sqm+ per resulting title. Medium density development permitted with a planning permit.

Planning overlays

No heritage, flood, or design overlays apply broadly to this suburb. Individual properties should still be checked for site-specific overlays.

Typical lot size

Medium to large (typically 500-800sqm+)

More design flexibility. Site coverage is rarely the binding constraint, allowing larger secondary dwellings and more generous setbacks.

Granny flat viability

Permitted up to 60sqm without a planning permit under Victoria's 2023 provisions. Most blocks have sufficient site coverage capacity for a well-sized secondary dwelling.

Dual occupancy

Viable on selected lots

Some GRZ zoning available, but NRZ dominates or lot sizes limit opportunities. Feasibility depends on specific block dimensions and frontage.

Location

21km from Melbourne CBD. Nearest station: Watergardens.

This summary reflects general planning conditions for Taylors Lakes as of 2025. Individual properties may have additional overlays or conditions. A property assessment confirms exactly what applies to your block.

Building design services in Taylors Lakes

Whatever your project RD Building design can help.

New home design

Custom home design from initial brief through to permit-ready documents

Knockdown rebuild designs

A completely new design on your existing block, built around the life you want

Residential extensions and renovations

Additions that connect and blend with your existing home

Townhouses / Multi-Unit design

Multiple dwellings on one site, with all planning and documentation managed

From first conversation to approved plans

RD Building Design manages the full process.

Consultation. We discuss the project, review your Taylors Lakes property, and outline what is possible. No charge.
Feasibility. Goals tested against site conditions and planning controls. Done before design starts.
Concept. Floor plans and external design showing how the project works on your block. You guide the revisions.
Planning permit (where needed). Full application prepared and managed through Brimbank assessment.
Permit drawings. Working drawings for building permit and builder quoting.
Completion. A full set of approved drawings, ready for construction.

RD Building Design serves homeowners across Melbourne's western suburbs and beyond.

Building design questions for Taylors Lakes homeowners

Will I need a planning permit to extend in Taylors Lakes?

That depends on the scope of the work and any overlays on your property. Many standard extensions go straight to building permit. Heritage or design overlay areas typically need planning approval first. We check this at your initial consultation.

What is the typical permit timeline in Taylors Lakes?

Building permits are usually assessed in around 10-20 business days. If a planning permit is needed, Brimbank generally takes about 10-60 days. RD Building Design provides realistic timelines at the outset of every project.

Is a granny flat possible on my Taylors Lakes block?

Under Victoria's 2023 reforms, a secondary dwelling up to 60sqm can be built on most NRZ and GRZ lots without a planning permit, provided site coverage, setback, and open space requirements are met. We assess this as part of an initial consultation.

Is a knockdown rebuild an option in Taylors Lakes?

For properties without a heritage overlay, knockdown rebuild is generally viable. The new dwelling must comply with the Brimbank Planning Scheme for setbacks, coverage, and character. We confirm feasibility before design starts.

How can I find out what is buildable on my Taylors Lakes property?

A property assessment from RD Building Design reviews your block against the Brimbank Planning Scheme and provides a written summary of development potential, including extension capacity, granny flat viability, and dual occupancy options.

Contact RD Building Design Taylors Lakes

Talk to a building designer who knows Taylors Lakes

A free consultation covers your project, your property's planning situation, and an honest assessment of what is achievable. No obligation.

Book a free consultation View our building design services