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.

What country and state are you in? That will affect whether you need a fireplace. I like freestanding bookcase/storage units, they must be attached to the wall if tall and not deep. If getting custom built get at least 3quotes. Finally, there are DIY shelves available at hardware outlets and stores like Ikea.

Hi there - a few things stand out to me... yes keep bedroom sizes no less than 3000mm wide, offset the door to the laundry so you can't see the toilet from the front door - yuk! Minimise/simplify number of piers by turning front porch 90º. Keep the footprint as simple as possible. With oklouise's plan, which i think makes more sense, cut 300mm into each of the bedrooms and push out towards the left into the deck. Much better use of space. If west is to the left put a whole wall of cupboards along in bed 1 and get rid of the others, and add door out to deck on the (new) north wall. Do you really need a bath? Living in country they are wasteful of water even if it goes back onto your land. Alternatively have a combined shower/bath? Babies and toddlers wash quite well in the laundry tub then learn to shower with you or on their own quite happily. I'd make the shower a big bigger (and the cupboard on the hall side) and get rid of the bath. Make sure you have excellent insulation in walls, ceiling and under floor. Consider hebel panels as flooring (also, the reinforced ones span great distances) and walls for both fire safety and insulation value. If possible look for ramp potential in case of disability and also for getting furniture into house. If you're in a fire zone make sure all windows and doors comply with your zone rating. And if you are building high up on piers make the external cladding is something that never needs painting and is minimal maintenance.

Depends a little bit on the style of your house , but my first reaction is the same as bigreader -- no , and almost certainly no , no , no , no , not 4 rooms in one house . Some of the schists look alright , the 80's style might suit an 80's or even 50's minimalist American house . There are some fairly cool 'wavy' panels that are available these days ; even some feature walls that look like timber ends sticking out of a wall ; wallpaper works in some places ; but one wall of brighter paint is the most obvious 'feature wall' . Faux Stone , or that ship-lap timber , or diagonal timber are about as exciting as yellowy beige or mission brown .