Agree with the above, if this isn't going to be your forever home, then do some research on the demographic in your area, if mostly young families and for years to come, then it shouldn't be an issue... few things to consider though...

1. upside down houses are typically good when there are amazing views, so if you've got them great idea, if not then reconsider

2. not sure how young the kids are and how old you're planning to move them off to their own rooms, but I still have to tend to my 7yo some nights (bad dreams, etc) so would personally prefer all sleeping quarters on the same level

3. you mention large deck upstairs to take advantage of the winter sun & shaded deck downstairs for summer... now I'm not sure where you are, but being in VIC people entertain the most outdoors during the warmer months, so if that's also your case then I would reconsider having the kitchen so far away from the ground floor deck (particularly if you're planning on a pool as per your photo)

Either way you decide to go, clever design and orientation are key to making the best use of passive solar & also achieve what you want.

Good luck :)

Thank you all, some great points there to think about. We are hoping this is our forever house, but still not wanting to limit resale should our plans change etc.

Kids are young (under 5) so yes agree that being near us is probably for quite a few more years.

I think linking the kitchen better to summer entertaining is probably something we need to think about a bit more. Or else how we can use some kind of shading like vergola on the deck which would shade in summer but still allow for winter sun on the deck and into the living spaces. Though I know it's a costly option!

With the trend for outdoor rooms could you consider a summer kitchen downstairs under cover of the upper deck? They come as a complete package from various outlets and provision could be made for this in the future as budget allows. Consideration will need to be given to waterproofing the area for furniture etc.

At the very least with your preferred upper living floor plan allow for water, gas & electricity connections below which in the meantime give you simpler more affordable options for use i.e. gas for bbq with a simple bench and an esky. Link this to a family room and powder room and you have both summer and winter options.

Another point is when your children are teenagers they will use this space too for gatherings with friends. Many homes have this alternative arrangement to maximise aspect and views.

Thanks LouieT - that's a great idea.

Hi rissv100

It is rare that I would endorse living rooms on the upper floor over the lower floor.

Exceptional views are one reason - however even then, especially for family homes, I would still recommend a living area of some sort on the ground level.

With families of any age, but particularly with young children, the ability to have them move easily in and out of the home, be supervised from inside, but also be within easy reach should you need to get to them, and that indoor/outdoor connection physical connection ... all bode very well for a functional, flexible family home.

Perhaps as has been suggested, consider a double height living space that can access natural light at high level clerestory glazing to light the lower level too.

Using other devices in the home to get light from a higher level to below can be through locating the stair void near the living areas, and using an open design to help light get access. Voids are also good.

Alternatively, you can consider your home seasonally ... a living / kitchen / dining area on the ground floor that helps with entertaining, and daily living with a family ... and then a upper floor family area / snug that may have a small kitchenette in it. Based on where you are, the warming north-west sun is generally most useful in winter to help you have warmer evenings in your home - which works with that idea of a family/TV/relaxing evening space. Other times of the year, you generally want to keep the heat of that sun out of your home.

I have an 8, 6 and 4 year old who all sleep on a separate level to us and we generally don't have issues. I have designed lots of homes for families of different ages and there are various views on where kids' bedrooms should be. Some families like having the parents on the lower floor, and the kids on the upper floor because they think this is better security. Some don't mind kids on the lower floor as long as they can manage their access outside and security of openings, especially at night. I recommend to all my clients that your kids are big for a lot longer than they're little - and having separation between bedrooms is good for long term use of your home ... however maintaining some visual and audio connection is useful for that casual surveillance of their activities with each other and when friends are over.

We renovated our homes for resale (it was how we got ourselves to our current home in the Byron Hinterland), and getting a big living/kitchen/dining area well connected to the garden was always a winner for a family home that sells quickly and sells well. Even though you may have no intention to sell in the near future, your home is generally your biggest asset, and you never know what's around the corner. So any money you invest in it should give you the biggest bang for buck, and help you improve the value of your asset.

Hope that helps - best wishes with your renovation - it's an exciting (and daunting) adventure you're about to embark on!

Regards

Amelia, UA

www.undercoverarchitect.com

amelia@undercoverarchitect.com

Get your free guide to keep your renovation project on budget - CLICK HERE

We have lived in an "upside down" house for 38 years and raised three children in it, the youngest being three when we moved in. We mainly did it because of the wonderful views, Mount Emu from the back window and Mount Bogong (now covered in snow) from the loungeroom. Floor to ceiling windows in those rooms plus dining area and some other rooms.

We are now in our seventies and don't find the stairs a problem, probably helps to keep us fit! When the grandchildren were small we put in temporary barriers so that they didn't fall down the stairs. (None did)

We have discussed putting in a lift when, and if the stairs get too much for us.

We have absolutely no regrets about living in a house like this and in fact, would find it very hard to live any other way.