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.

There are lots of people living in highly flammable, unsuitable older properties in flame zones without any problems, but only because they've been otherwise very well prepared and/or lucky. Speaking from experience, it's also very stressful. Building your home to BAL FZ or 40 will cost more but will give you and your family peace of mind. If you have the already purchased the land then you really gave no option but to comply with the code. If not, then you might want to reconsider if that block is right for you.

my suggestion are based on the fact that mum and dad are usually at the house alone and aims for simple two person accommodation that can be rearranged to suit a crowd...the kitchen cabinets are the only fixed objects in the room and include a tall pantry, base cabinets and/or drawers with open shelves and wall cabinets and space for several people to work side by side with a small extendable dining table, two chairs and a bench seat (also used as a place for newspaper and lamp etc behind the recliners)...a patio with big table for outdoor eating under the shade of the tree with extra bench seats that can also be used inside... there's space for a small divan or night and day lounge with a wall hung tv and the corner bedroom door allows for much better circulation space in both the living and bedrooms with preferably a sliding glass door for indoor outdoor connection with or without the original front door and, based on the size of king single beds, there's no other arrangement that would allow both beds to have a view to the lake and there's just enough space for a biw, small desk and two chairs

The double doors are sold so that we can open up the space to create more of a flow through. We don't want to destroy the character of the house but it has features that are hard to live with. Sadly there are benches in the laundry that would prevent a door rework. The space also has an external door which we use a lot. I guess we just aren't closed door people ! And yes resale is an issue I am concerned about if we close off one door but obviously it couldn't be the door from the kitchen because we need the access to the dining room, ho hum.....thank you Kate for the layout suggestion....if only we could afford to buy different furniture that would work ! the space is quite narrow.