Designing Sydney Homes with Heritage in Mind – Bringing Vision to Life

At BEHG, we know Sydney’s homes tell a story from Federation cottages in the Inner West to modern family homes. Designing and renovating in this diverse landscape takes more than good plans; it requires understanding heritage, council requirements, and the unique character of each suburb.

In this episode of the Home & Finance Podcast, I sit down with Scott Nicholson, Founder and Director of Design Plus Drafting, to talk about how his team helps homeowners bring their projects to life, whether it’s a heritage terrace renovation or a brand-new build.

Scott’s Sydney-based practice delivers design solutions from concept plans through to council approvals and construction-ready drawings. Known for using 3D fly-through technology, he helps clients truly see their projects before they’re built, offering a level of confidence and clarity that few firms can match.

Many of the areas where Scott works have a strong heritage focus, which is why he and I often collaborate right from the concept stage. Scott explains how having heritage advice early in the process can save clients time, reduce redesign costs, and make the approval process much smoother.

He comments that “heritage shouldn’t be seen as a limitation, it’s about understanding the character and designing around it.” This partnership ensures that designs respect the past while still delivering the comfort and functionality clients need for modern living. Heritage and design, when approached together, create better outcomes for everyone involved.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Scott’s practice is his use of 3D fly-through technology, a service that truly sets Design Plus Drafting apart. Scott and I discussed how this technology allows homeowners to see their design come to life, rather than trying to imagine it from flat, traditional plans.

Scott talks about how clients can walk through a virtual model of their future home, experiencing light, layout, and proportion in real time. He comments that this often leads to more intelligent, more confident design decisions and, in many cases, it actually saves clients money by allowing them to identify changes early, before construction begins.

He shared examples of clients who completely rethought their layouts after experiencing the fly-through, preventing costly on-site changes later. Councils also respond well to these models because they can clearly see how the proposal fits into its surrounding context, especially in heritage areas where visual impact matters most.

For many Sydney homeowners, the excitement of renovating quickly turns to confusion once the realities of council regulations and budgets set in. Scott talks about how every council has different requirements, and heritage overlays can make things even more complex. Without the proper guidance, projects can be delayed or rejected, leading to frustration and added costs.

Budgeting is another challenge. Scott comments that many people underestimate not only the build cost but also the professional fees and compliance costs, such as surveys, heritage reports, and approvals. His advice is clear: start with good information, set realistic expectations, and surround yourself with professionals who understand the process from design through to completion.

Sydney’s residential design continues to evolve, and Scott and I discussed several key trends shaping how people live. Scott talks about the growing interest in sustainability. Homeowners want to make smarter choices, from recycled materials to solar panels and improved energy performance.

He also comments on the shift towards multi-functional spaces that can adapt over time. Families are looking for rooms that can serve as home offices, guest areas, or breakout spaces, depending on changing needs. Another major trend he’s seeing is the rise of secondary dwellings and granny flats as families look to add value, create flexible living options, or generate rental income.

These trends highlight how design must respond not only to lifestyle and financial needs but also to heritage context, creating homes that are thoughtful, functional, and enduring.

Technology is transforming how people experience design, and Scott explains that clients now expect to see, not just imagine, what their home will look like. With tools such as and 3D fly-throughs, homeowners can understand scale, layout, and lighting in ways never before possible.

What makes Design Plus Drafting stand out is how seamlessly this technology is integrated into every stage of the design process. Scott explains that his studio doesn’t treat 3D visualisation as an add-on service, but as a core part of the design experience. Each project is modelled in full three dimensions, allowing clients to walk through their proposed home and view it from every angle before a single brick is laid.

Scott comments that this approach does more than impress clients; it prevents confusion, eliminates guesswork, and leads to better decisions early on. By virtually exploring their home, clients can identify layout issues, natural light opportunities, or design changes that might otherwise go unnoticed until construction. The result is fewer variations, faster approvals, and real savings in both time and cost.

He also notes that councils appreciate these visualisations, particularly for heritage and sensitive sites, because they clearly show how a proposed design sits within its surrounding context. It builds confidence and transparency from the start, often helping applications progress more smoothly.

Scott talks about the future of design as one that blends creativity and data, where technology allows designers to model energy performance, test materials, and even forecast construction impacts before a project starts. This is the kind of forward-thinking approach that defines Design Plus Drafting’s work, combining innovative design with technology to deliver homes that are sustainable, functional, and truly tailored to each client.

As is our mantra at BEHG Heritage, it should never be seen as a barrier; it’s an opportunity to create homes that respect the past while embracing the future. Scott talks about how collaboration, early planning, and the right technology can turn complex projects into smooth, successful experiences for clients.

By combining heritage expertise, innovative design, and tools such as 3D fly-throughs, we can help homeowners navigate council with confidence and achieve results that truly reflect the best of Sydney living.

You can listen to my whole conversation with Scott Nicholson from Design Plus Drafting on the Home & Finance Podcast.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2335496/episodes/17986462-renovating-with-technology-seeing-is-believing-with-scott-nicholson

For more about 3D fly-through and projects, visit

designplusdrafting.com.au