Hi Erin Both look like they will work. I think your challenge will be to bring some depth to the front of the house . With the colour being uniform its quite flat, so I would suggest adding some awnings to the front windows. These could also be a nice feature on the front of the house adding your personality. http://www.icietla.com.au in Brisbane sell some beautiful stripes. The other option was to have a base and top scheme that helped the building look a little lighter. A great transformation which ever way you go.

Bit late now to comment, I guess, but would like to share that we are contemplating the plans on a government website for a sustainable home. Have actually got to the point of getting prices to build. It is 3 bed and study but we have changed the front bed, making it larger for a separate media room. The study is large enough for a bedroom and we plan to install a wall bed with desk. Have changed the kitchen to incorporate a walk in pantry. Love the master bed suit which has a passage to the en suite which contains the only bath so could be used by anyone. Guests usually only shower and they are provided with a shower and toilet in their area. Works for us! The plan is free and changes are allowed.

realising that you don't own the house and may not have all this info but, is the house floor concrete or timber framed? the present location of all windows and doors is useful as moving windows is very expensive and to be avoided where possible, even if you plan to replace the windows and a site plan showing (approx) distance to all boundaries, any good views and the driveway and carport would also help with location of outdoor areas, sliding doors and windows

Trust me, no one wins when it gets legal except for the lawyers. It's truly not worth it. It's better to endeavour to put the energy into a solution, and sometimes the most effective solution is to consider a different option. Building and design ALWAYS involves compromise. Unfortunately you were led to believe that something you wanted could be possible that in reality was non viable. Whether it's a council restriction, or budget or whatever, a good design will negotiate the constraints to give you the best balance of solution.......the story you have here happens all the time in this industry...Yes the builder should have worked this out sooner, before signing you up, and you're unfortunately copping the bill.....I once had a client come to me (years ago btw) who had purchased some land (of the plan) on a new estate. When they went to see it half the site was hanging off 3m drop of land fill!! - not cool, and whilst the developer offered to "fill and level it up) it would have been a particularly expensive structural solution involved and understandably, but disappointedly they pulled out....... My advice is if you're not happy with a compromised design for your requirements walk away if you can, put it behind you and don't waste any further unnecessary energy and money on playing legal games. There will be another option out there for you, and better to start fresh with someone else because you there's clearly a loss of trust for this builder. So sorry to hear about this for you, my advice is don;t compromise on what you want, it's too large an investment, and also understand that you're not the only one who's had similar but different experience with expectations being severely comprised with house&land "deals" - we are dealing with a particularly rugged, uneven industry........Best of luck with resolving :)