It would be awesome if it was marble!! Looks similar to the link you posted, but I am in Australia, marble cladding is not very prominent/used here, so I didn't think it would be? Anyone else to second Bodo or give their thoughts?

bigreader I'm okie..thanks for caring ..just need time to readjust kind of walked out on my job..so looking for stuff to fill in my time ..I hate being bored and sitting sround fiddling my thumb been looking for courses to do and taking my camera out.. these I took yesterday in Warrandyte..

My thoughts. Firstly, as has been said, you'll get better results seeking professional help, especially for such an unusual design. The external surfaces are an expensive part of a build. The larger the external surface area per sqm of footprint, the larger the cost per sqm. Seperate wings & courtyards increase the external surface area greatly. This plan has a very large external surface area, so will be costly per sqm, for what is already a very large dwelling. Separate wings also increases hallways & circulation space, which some people find wasteful, & increase the time to move from one part of the house to another. Instead of a U-shaped house, how about an L-shaped house? This would reduce the external surface area of the build & the amount of hallway space, reducing the cost per sqm & the size of the dwelling. With an L-shaped home most rooms could face the outdoor space in the NE side of the block, but some (possibly the minor bedrooms) would likely face the southern street. So, a couple of questions; Is this a newly developed or established area of Sydney? If it's an establish area with neighbours close by, could you post a screenshot of a Google Maps satellite image, to get an idea of outlooks & whether there will be privacy issues with neighbours? How quiet is the southern street? Are you happy to have rooms facing this street? How much busier is the western street? Is it possible to locate the garage facing the western street, or is it too busy for access? I'd much rather have the garage face a noisy street than the master bedroom (although the ensuite will help a bit). Also the western side of a dwelling is a great place to locate a garage, as it shields the house from the hot afternoon sun. The west is not a good place for bedrooms (although again, the ensuite will help). On that note, have a read of this, paying attention to the section on passive design & orientation. http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation As for your current design, your bedroom wings are likely to shade your living areas for much of the day in winter. A skillion roof with north facing clerestory windows, as shown in a few of the pictures in this thread, would help get winter sunshine to your living areas. Although an L-shaped build would allow more northern light to the living areas than the current U-shaped plan. Best of luck with the build.

Your choice of pendants are gorgeous but would keep as a cluster at end of bench doorway side, strip lighting could look fabulous or even one beautiful pendant would look stunning.