I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

Many people make the same mistake that believing an architect will give them something special (or perhaps 'smart' as you noted). Wrong. Many say a draftsman will only design what you tell them. Wrong. Unfortunately the problem is with the poor choice by the homeowner. I've seen terrific work all designed by draftsman and absolutely poor work designed by architects. I've also seen rubbish by draftsman and stunning work by architects. But, is the final design the only reason of what the decision should be based? Absolutely not! No use having a great design that you can't afford to build or is difficult and frustrating to have approved by council amongst other things. It's like choosing any one to do specialist for you; can you talk with them easily about your ideas and not feel 'railroaded', do they give advice freely without feeling like they're not telling you the whole story, do they mention budgets, possible problems along the way, have they investigated site specific issues, etc..... Architects aren't greedy and just wanting more money, they provide a larger range of services that others don't. If you're a developer would you go to the local draftsman and tell him how to design a high-rise project for Melbourne's CBD..... of course not you'd go to an architect to look after the project for you. Just as you wouldn't go to a world renowned award winning architect to design a timber rear deck area that the local builder is going build.... Know what each professional provides and decide from there don't base it on a qualification only.

We're looking into this but haven't decided if we will use these plans or use an architect with experience in passive solar design. I've started preliminary discussions with a builder who has experience with passive solar houses, although he predominantly does small scale volume building. Hoping he can bring his purchasing power and systems to this project but allow us the flexibility to create what we want. He's enthusiastic about passive solar design so that's a start. We haven't discussed these plans yet, but at a rough estimate he's suggested in the low to mid $300,000s for a 200m2 house including garage, polished concrete floors, reverse brick veneer, increased insulation, quality kitchen appliances, with BAL up to 19, static fire tank. Not including PV panels, driveways, landscaping. Does include hydronic heating. Of course it does depend on the finish you want, type of builder you go with etc. Could easily be much more than what we were quoted. A discussion with a different builder, for similar sized house, to increase insulation as required, $2-3,000, add double glazing, $14,000, polished concrete floors, similar to fairly standard tiles or carpet. These are very rough estimates. things that would also increase the cost, lots of glazing on north elevation, higher ceilings than standard project home. Large eves to the north, the room sizes are generous, internal masonry wall, draft proofing. Life time running cost would be much lower than conventional house. I live in a cold climate so thermal comfort is important.

As design professionals, we support BDAV (Building Designer Association of Victoria) which showcases sustainable designers each year in their design awards, so do Master Builders and Housing Industry Association. Sustainable principles should be the underlying design consideration in all residential work. https://bdavawarded.partica.online/bdav-awarded/bdav-awarded-issue-02/flipbook