After I had finished my Archi Masters I was working for an architecture firm who also did a small amount of work for a volume builder. They were actually a pretty good quality builder and at least got the orientation of their 'pre-designed' plans correct. We had the ability to make minor changes to every job and it pained me to see so many simple to implement passive options not being incorporated. Had most of their clients known that they would be saving MONEY over the longterm by making a few minor changes to suit their site, they all would have done it. The problem is unless someone can sell this idea to them as a financial/lifestyle choice, many just think it is about saving the world. It is a no-brainer if you have in interest in it, but for those who don't know, there is no-one there selling it to them, especially on the lower end of the market.

Wow, didn't realise this had happened.

Oklouise, it is great! I am off work for a couple of weeks after a fall, so it is stopping me going totally insane! Use of rooms: the living near the master bed/ensuite is currently dining, the front lounge is the family room, and the rumpus room I rarely even enter, mostly used by the 20 yr old who has the bedroom at that end of the house. The decking is used casually as the space has a split eleven design meaning table and chairs fit if you don’t want to get in or out of your chair. Whoever designed that was foolish! There are sliding doors from the current dining to the driveway at the front of the garage. MB, not sure of budget, I have no idea really what these things cost, I guess my next step is to settle on some options and meet with a builder or similar and ask them of cost Aprox? I agree on the wasted space in the plans we didn’t use, especially around the bathroom! To move the kitchen up to the master bedroom would be expensive as there is no clearance under the two ends of the u shape, the block slopes a bit up to the back. I think I’ve answered the questions? :)

Great stuff. I hope to hear from other similar projects.