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There’s something unsettling about the rows of identical box-like houses that make up Australia’s new development housing estates. Usually located on the fringes of Australian cities, these new suburbs can feel isolated from the rest of the community, with their critics describing them as “sleeping pods,” “dystopian” and perhaps most revealingly, “the slums of the future”.
Beyond aesthetics, these suburbs are also plagued with serious housing design issues that can impact their future longevity. In January, Philip Thalis, director of the firm Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects, called out a type of new build that’s typical of these suburbs.
“Why have we got the most expensive houses in the world, tied to an obsession with real estate, yet with such a poor standard of design and construction?” Thalis posted to X alongside an image of a dark, box-like new build house.
“It’s a mishmash of poor, cheap materials that are uncoordinated. There’s a lack of basic environmental design,” Thalis later explained news.com.au. “That’s a west facade. You want to be shading the western side. You don’t want a black brick, you don’t want a black roof.”
Darker materials, which are regularly used in these new development estates and builds, absorb heat, rather than deflect it. A recent article from The Conversation, which discussed the Jordan Springs new development estate in Sydney’s suburb of Penrith, found that the estate’s use of concrete, asphalt and dark, poor quality building materials may put “residents at risk” in future heatwaves and leave them “dependent on increasingly expensive air conditioning.”
Yet, these new build estates also address the country’s housing shortage and affordability problem, with rising house prices leaving many Australians unable to afford a similarly sized home in a more established suburb.
So, if you’re one of the many Australians building a home in a new development estate, you might be wondering how to avoid these common design problems and make your home as liveable and future-proof as possible. We’ve spoken to Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, Duanfang Lu from the University of Sydney, The Block architect Julian Brenchley of Group Architects and Lead Designer (Exterior) Robert Nguyen, and Lead Designer (Interior) Kat Moore, at Boutique Homes, to find out.
7 problems with your new development estate home—and how to fix them
1. Low quality construction materials
As a form of mass produced housing, new development estates may rely on more affordable building materials, which are rarely the best quality.
“Some homes might not be built with long-term durability in mind, leading to issues such as water leaks, cracks, or poor insulation,” Duanfang Lu explains. “Lack of attention to detail during construction might also result in poor finishes.”
If you can, Lu recommends opting for higher quality construction materials to “avoid problems in the future.”
2. Indoor air pollution
Adequate ventilation is important for air quality in the home. Photography: Louise Roche
Lower quality construction materials may also impact indoor air quality. According to Lu, this is to do with something called volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can be emitted from certain building materials.
“New homes may sometimes have poor indoor air quality, particularly due to the use of materials that off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can lead to respiratory issues and affect general health. Inadequate ventilation systems can exacerbate these problems, trapping pollutants inside,” explains Lu.
For this reason, its important to opt for homes built with low-VOC materials—including within the paint, adhesives, flooring and other finishes.
Poor ventilation and insulation also commonly lead to mould and mildew growth, which can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and exacerbate conditions such as asthma.
“The house should have adequate ventilation to ensure that fresh air circulates throughout,” Lu says.
“Design the home with open windows or ventilation gaps on opposite sides of rooms (cross-ventilation) to allow good natural air movement.”
Duanfang Lu, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Sydney
“Design the home with open windows or ventilation gaps on opposite sides of rooms (cross-ventilation) to allow good natural air movement.”
“Natural light from windows, skylights, and glass doors makes rooms feel open and bright. A well-lit space can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression,” Lu says.
3. Dysfunctional layouts
House and land packages will usually offer you a selection of pre-approved home designs to choose from but Lu says that its important to consider the functionality of the designs that are offered before you sign the dotted line.
“Some new estates might have layouts that are not as functional as expected, leading to issues with space, privacy, or flow within homes,” says Lu.
“A well-designed home should have balanced proportions, where the size and placement of windows, doors, and walls are in harmony. It should also carefully consider how the space is arranged and how the rooms relate to each other. Homes that seamlessly connect to the outdoors, through large windows, sliding doors or patios, enhance the feeling of openness and natural light. Flexible design features can allow you to expand or reconfigure your space easily as your needs change over time, such as adaptable floor plans or external space for future building.”
4. Lack of character and personality
“Most established suburbs are quite eclectic with many layers of different architectural styles being built up over many decades,” says Robert Nguyen. “This means that there are no strict rules as to which style is suitable to build, and you should first and foremost select a facade that you love.”
One of the biggest problems with new development estate homes is their lack of character and personality, but the recent James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 proves that modern homes don’t need to be “dull grey boxes.”
Julian Brenchely believes that the key to moving away from this colder, less appealing aesthetic is to “bring personality, texture, and warmth into new builds.” More specifically, The Block architect points to the modern ‘Barn’ design as an example of how to do this well. “New interpretations of the Barn play with asymmetry in the rooflines, breaking away from rigid, predictable forms. Bold exterior colours, combined with natural-look materials, create striking yet inviting facades,” Brenchley explains.
“Where coastal or traditional is common, then consider a strong contemporary facade to set yourself apart.”
Robert Nguyen, Lead Designer (Exterior) Boutique Homes
Robert Nguyen agrees that is it’s possible to make a point of difference, even in newly established suburbs. “Take notice of the homes on your street, in your neighbourhood and suburb and see what facade styles are most common,” Nugyen suggests.
“If you want your home to match the neighbourhood style, then select the closest facade that also suits your own taste and budget. If you want your home to stand out a bit more from the crowd, then consider an alternative facade style. Where there is a contemporary or eclectic mix, then a classic Hamptons facade, or other traditional style, can give your home a distinctive timeless feel that stands out from your neighbours.”
Moroccan tiles from Tiles By Kate add colour to this kitchen without being overpowering. (Photographer: Simon Whitbread / Stylist: Jessica Bellef)
“Once you have an idea of what you want to achieve and the style, start to collate ideas on a digital moodboard.”
Kat Moore, Lead Designer (Interior) Boutique Homes
Once inside you can really put your own stamp on the design of your home. “There are so many features to help you personalise you home and the style,” says Kat Moore. “Tiles are fun with lots of patterns, textures and colours. Joinery is also a lot more playful and bolder than it’s ever been, hardware and handles are a great way to pull your style through.”
To create cohesive style throughout the home, Kat suggests considering the following 3 points as a foundation to help with decision-making:
- What is the environment of the site?
- What is the style of the façade?
- Who is the end user?
“Creating a mood board digitally is a really good way to notice what you are drawn to,” says Kat. “Pinterest is a really good tool to collect ideas, but some clients also enjoy cutting out images from magazines and adding fabrics and swatches to a board. This is great for paint and finishes, so you have a copy of true colour. Once you get into the planning of spaces you can create boards for each space individually. Knowing your desired style will eliminate decision-making and reduce overwhelm.”
Even if you don’t have complete design freedom with your new build, there are plenty of ways to add character with some clever design choices.
How to personalise your new build
- Add pannelling to your walls
- Install built-in-furniture, such as bookshelves
- Switch out your flooring for warm timber floors
- Embrace wallpaper
- Swap your white walls for colour
- Install interesting tiles in the kitchen and bathroom
- Decorate with patterned cushions, lamps and curtains
- Bring unique artworks and vintage furniture into the home
Julian Brenchely encourages us to consider how we’ll live in our homes, day-to-day. “Inside, it’s all about warmth and simplicity—soft textures, uncluttered spaces, and a focus on natural elements help achieve that feeling of hygge (hoo-gah), a Danish concept centered around comfort and wellbeing. But beyond just aesthetics, the Barn design is about championing wellness.”
5. Unsustainable designs
As rising temperatures and extreme weather events become more common in Australia, we need to think about future-proofing our homes in terms of structural resilience and future sustainability.
“Not all houses prioritize eco-friendly designs, resulting in homes that are not energy-efficient,” says Lu. “Ensure the home is built with energy-efficient systems like good insulation, energy-efficient windows, and renewable energy sources (solar panels, heat pumps, etc.). Smart technology features like smart thermostats, lighting, and security systems can also make the home more convenient, secure, and energy-efficient.”
“Building resilient homes for the future isn’t just about strength, it’s about smart, passive design that works with the environment rather than against it.”
Julian Brenchely, Principal Architect, Group Architects
Barn-style homes are a great example of this approach. Relatively shallow building depth for cross ventilation, deep canopy eaves and shading devices like HEKA hoods are essential for handling Australia’s intense sun, keeping interiors cool without over-relying on air conditioning. Double-skin lightweight walls, combined with high performance proper insulation and sarking, help maintain stable internal temperatures year-round. ”
If you live in an area that’s vulnerable to climate emergencies then Brenchely also recommends cladding for weather resistence, and steel frames and non-combustible external cladding for fire resilience.
6. Lack of outdoor space
The blocks found in new development estates tend to be much smaller than the traditional quarter-acre block found in Australia’s older suburbs—and generally these smaller blocks are taken up by more house than garden.
While you can definitely make the most of a small space with some smart landscaping, it’s also worth checking out how much access to nature your estate offers. If you don’t have a big backyard then you will benefit from having access to parks and local walking tracks.
7. Remote location
The often remote location of new development estates can make life more difficult.
“Some neighbourhoods are far away from cafes, parks, schools, healthcare services, or retail outlets, which can lead to frustration for new homeowners,” explains Lu.
Before purchasing a house in a new development estate, its important to learn about its local amenities and how well connected it is to the rest of the community. A nearby train station will make your daily commute easier than one that requires you to join a major highway to get to the nearest shops.
Having access to a shopping centre and a couple of cafes within the estate will also benefit you down the track.
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