@Lynne: thank you for your thoughts and comments. This house was built with some feng shui in mind, thus these roof lines - and roof orientation. We are aware that those columns are in the way. At a first glance, the one in front of that two panel door is not load bearing, this could be removed (seriously-who on earth places a pillar in front of a sliding door?!?!?!). The other one on must remain while both on the balcony are required; although we're planning on redesigning the balcony, thus can remove/ change the location on those columns/pillars can be reinforced and then moved. We're using a 3D software (sketch up or Revit) to play with potential designs to get a feel for the look (as we don't want to waste the time of a drafts person) before commissioning someone. Although I believe we will require a designer/ assistance of where items such as the BBQ could be build (kitchen faces the SE side of the house) to ensure a good flow inside out of the house... Thanks again! Much appreciated ;-)

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Check your summer shadow at 5 pm. Is it enough for your use. I know Perth doesn’t have daylight saving but westerly sun low in the sky is a prob. Pitch rooves great at letting light through to the internal spaces. You may want to add shade clothes that pull down or bushes,

Don’t have anything at all. Then use shade umbrellas or get a Vergola pergola installed after handover. It appears that the architect has drawn a full squared off structure alfresco with a gable roof within that structure. A simple slightly sloped timber structure (which would match your feature timber facade) with roof tiles or Colorbond roofing, or even a steel roofing system, does not require concrete apart from load bearing foundations required where the supporting posts are positioned. But in your case, as previously mentioned, you do not want to stop the north winter sun, so therefore a covered roof for the alfresco is not desirable. The lower alfresco ceiling,( if located between highlight and doors), compared to internal ceiling height will be okay.