Innovative housing and construction methods in Jacka

Suburban Land Agency is creating a Demonstration Precinct in Jacka to test new types of homes and building methods. The Jacka Small Footprint Housing project will help more people find homes that suit their needs and budgets, while also supporting affordability, sustainability, and quality of life in the growing Jacka community.

Building on the success of the North Wright Sustainable Precinct and Whitlam Innovation Precinct, this new precinct will showcase innovative and sustainable housing for both home buyers and the building industry.

A Display Home using Modern Methods of Construction will also be built. It will serve as a temporary space for Mingle community programs before being sold.

The Demonstration Precinct will be located in Sections 32 and 33 in Jacka.

Map view of Jacka Microlots
Note: Indicative map only

About the precinct

This precinct features eight architect-designed, fully landscaped small footprint homes near the future Jacka Local Centre, netball courts, and playing fields.

What makes these homes unique?

  • Lower land costs than typical single-residential homes
  • More private outdoor space than apartments
  • Lower ongoing costs than many townhouses
  • Separately titled with individual residential leases.
  • Jacka 3D render of microlots
  • 3D render Jacka microlots 3
  • 3D render Jacka microlots
  • 3D image of Jacka Demo Precinct
  • 3D image of Jacka demo precinct
  • Jacka 3D render of display home

Image credits: DNA Architects images 1, 2 and 3 and Heyward Lance images 4, 5 and 6

8 Small Footprint Homes

Each home is built on a block around 90m² with a deck and private landscaped open space, as well as access to a shared landscaped area of 115m². Floor plans include:

  • 3-bedroom 3-storey homes
  • 2-bedroom + study 2-storey homes
  • 2-bedroom 2-storey homes
    Living areas range from 75–110m².

Benefits:

  • Sustainability: Compact, efficient homes that bridge the gap between apartments and low-density detached houses
  • Affordability: being compact means lower land and running costs
  • Liveability: meeting the demand for low-maintenance, separately-titled homes in a more socially connected design
  • Quality: great planning, design and landscape outcomes on smaller blocks.

Design details

  • Architect: DNA Architects
  • Landscape design: Plot Design Group
  • Concept Master Planning: Yellow Architecture
  • Design focus: Beautiful, compact homes with strong connections to nature and community
  • Shared Space: Low-maintenance landscaped place with a focus on native Ngunnawal plant

The display home

The display home will demonstrate Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) for home buyers and industry. Showcasing prefabricated, energy-efficient design and modern building techniques.

After construction, it will temporarily host Mingle community development programs for the Jacka community before being sold.

Why MMC? 

  • Faster, more efficient building
  • High-quality, sustainable design
  • Supports innovation and productivity increases in the construction industry

Design details

  • Architect: Heyward Lance Architecture
  • Landscape Design: Harris Hobbs Landscapes
  • Location: Next to a pocket park for community interaction

      Next Steps

      • Development Applications and Subdivision Design Application are under consideration.
      • Public notification for the small footprint housing and display home will be available soon—check back for links.
      • Expected construction start: Early 2026
      • Completion: Mid-2027
      • Sales begin shortly after

      Have more questions? Read the FAQs below.

      Jacka Demonstration Precinct - FAQs