Street view of a timber-clad multi-dwelling development designed by KEEP Building Design

Duplex and multi-dwelling design
across Sydney and coastal NSW.

Site-specific design, planning and approval management for homeowners and developers looking to maximise the potential of their property. Servicing Sydney, the Central Coast and the South Coast, with projects delivered throughout NSW.

Check what your block can do
350+Residential approvals over 25+ years
99%Approval success rate
20+Councils across 5 states
Building Designers Association of AustraliaBDAA Accredited Building DesignerMember, Building Designers Association of Australia
In-houseTown planning, with the approval process managed for you
Our approach

Good design begins with understanding.

Every project has its own story. At KEEP, the best outcomes come from listening carefully, thinking openly, and resolving every detail with purpose.

Creative ambition and technical rigour belong together. We bring both to the table, shaping spaces that feel right and work beautifully in the real world.

Conceptual interior showing the material and spatial quality of considered design

A modern stronghold.

When emotional and architectural meanings combine, the building becomes a symbolic stronghold:

  • A place that keeps life safe, calm, and grounded
  • A structure that keeps stability through its form and materials
  • A layout that keeps occupants protected and supported
  • A home that keeps identity, memory, and belonging intact

This is the modern reinterpretation of the medieval keep — not defensive, but anchoring, protective, and emotionally central.

Our process

From possibility
to place.

A considered design process, grounded in experience and made for the way you want to live.

00

Site visit / pre-purchase consultation

Early advice on site constraints, planning requirements and budget considerations before design work begins.

01

Project and site feasibility

A fixed-price report on what your site can deliver: planning controls, site constraints and services, approval pathway, dwelling yield and a fee proposal.

02

Pre-design and concept design

Considered spaces shaped around how you live, work and connect.

03

Design development and planning application

Creative ideas refined into practical, buildable design solutions guided by the planning requirements, including preparation of the documentation required to lodge your application.

04

Construction documentation

Detailed working drawings and specifications, coordinated with engineers and other consultants and prepared to meet the National Construction Code, ready for certification, builder pricing and construction.

05

Costing & quoting

Cost estimates as the design develops, then tender documents issued to builders and their quotes compared like-for-like, so you can choose a builder with confidence and keep the project on budget.

Start here

Find out what your block can do.

Before you commit to a design, or to buying a site, we assess what it can realistically deliver and the quickest way to get it approved.

  • What the planning controls allow on your site
  • The likely approval pathway: complying development or development application
  • A concept yield sketch showing how many dwellings fit
  • Site constraints and obstacles, including utility services, and what they mean for cost
  • A fee proposal for the full design
Our projects

Recent work.

View all projects
Street view render of a torrens title duplex in Mollymook
01

Mollymook duplex

Mollymook, NSW / 784m² lot / Torrens title duplex / CDC

A torrens title duplex development delivered through the complying development (CDC) pathway.

Render of an attached dual occupancy in Sydney
02

Sydney dual occupancy

Sydney, NSW / 570m² lot / Attached Torrens title dual occupancy / DA

An attached Torrens title dual occupancy, delivered through a development application (DA).

What clients say

In their words.

Richard has been instrumental in helping us navigate our duplex project from the beginning. His communication has been outstanding, and his advice and guidance have made the entire process straightforward and stress-free. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone undertaking a similar project.
Matthew, South Wentworthville2 × detached single storey duplexes
Richard from Keep Building Design was highly professional and very helpful when I had questions about areas of the development I wasn't sure about.

Would highly recommend his service!
Keenan, Mollymook BeachDouble storey attached duplex
Our team

The people behind KEEP.

Portrait of Richard Berends

Richard Berends

Accredited building designer

Richard brings over 25 years of experience in building design, combining creative design thinking with extensive technical expertise and practical industry knowledge.

Having worked across private practice, national builders and his own consultancy, he understands how to deliver projects that are both innovative and buildable. His ability to navigate complex design, planning and construction requirements helps clients achieve thoughtful, functional and enduring outcomes.

Portrait of Mary Centino

Mary Centino

Building Designer

Mary contributes across all stages of the design process, combining creative thinking, strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to project delivery.

She is passionate about understanding each client's needs and aspirations, helping translate ideas into thoughtful and practical design outcomes. Holding a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of New South Wales, Mary brings enthusiasm, attention to detail and a client-focused perspective to every project.

Portrait of Kevin Zhong

Kevin Zhong

Building Designer

Kevin brings strong visual communication and design presentation skills to KEEP, assisting in the development and documentation of projects across a range of scales.

He contributes to concept design, technical documentation, project coordination and client communication, helping ensure design outcomes are both clear and well resolved. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Sydney.

Photo to come

Brendan Williams

Town Planner

Brendan holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New England and brings over fourteen years of experience in the NSW planning system, encompassing statutory and strategic planning roles within consent authorities and client-side advisory.

At KEEP, Brendan provides town planning advice and guides clients through the development application process, managing each application through to development consent. Having worked on both sides of the process, Brendan understands what consent authorities look for, helping de-risk projects before assessment.

Portrait of Clarissa Wikeepa

Clarissa Wikeepa

Interior Designer / Creative Director

As Creative Director, Clarissa leads the interior design vision at KEEP, drawing on over thirteen years of experience creating thoughtful, functional and visually engaging spaces.

Her background in photography and visual storytelling has shaped a keen eye for detail, composition and materiality, informing a design approach that is both creative and considered. Working alongside the design team, Clarissa guides the aesthetic direction of projects and oversees the refinement of interior environments, helping create spaces that reflect the quality, character and attention to detail that define KEEP's work.

Start a conversation

Let's make
something matter.

Call us

Sydney, the Central Coast and the South Coast, with remote design throughout NSW.