Hello, I am hoping this may be of relevance to your build. If you are looking at any retaining walls and water tanks then Landscape Tanks may be the option for you. See some images below; Retaining walls and front fences that store rain water - seems impossible doesn't it? All these lovely pictures above are actually retaining walls that store rain water, which may seem hard to believe - well its not and lots of people are using them already with stunning results. Many people stare at these pictures and can't see the tanks without realising the lovely structures are the tanks themselves. Many people also like the appearance of the tanks so much they don't even fill them with water. These great Landscape Tanks are designed for use as structural retaining walls and front fences that store rain water and they can also be used for many other structures around the home. You can even have your front fence as your on site detention system if you like. They are made from high grade concrete (50mpa) and provide a fantastic alternative to traditional retaining walls or front fences and are very cost effective. The Landscape Tanks do not require any footings, are very easy to install and may be placed straight on a firm level base for great savings. They are are pre-engineered (empty) for use as retaining walls, which means they are also ideal for other structures around your home, such as front fences, on site detention systems, pool or pergola surrounds, water tanks, fire fighting water tanks, and raised garden beds. The planter top also has many other uses (apart from growing plants) including water features, outdoor kitchens, decking and even spectacular light shows all at the same time while still being used for your retaining wall or front fence. The Landscape Tanks are all quality and designed to last over 100+ years (or even 150 years) and they add that WOW factor to your home. So whether you are looking for retaining walls in Sydney or retaining walls in Melbourne or just browsing for retaining wall ideas, block retaining walls or concrete sleeper retaining walls, look no further than the fantastic multi purpose quality Landscape Tanks. You may be very surprises at just how cost effective they can be. Product sizing and capacities also available at http://www.landscapetanks.com.au/technical-info/specifications/ Our Landscape Tanks may be used for any of the following individually or concurrently in the same project and they deliver great savings and results. Retaining Walls Simply place into position for instant results - no footings required. On site detentions systems Save money - you may avoid using a detention system altogether. Front Fences Stunning front fences that store rain water and even double as retaining walls. Rain Water Tanks Turning rain water tanks into a feature for your property. Pool landscaping Stores rain water for the pool and keeps plants out of chlorine level. Raised Garden Beds Ideal working height for growing vegetables and herbs. Water Features and Light Show Using the planter tops for other uses can deliver amazing results. Features Pre-engineered - we provide you with your own set of engineering drawings. No footings required - easy to install - no excavation required. They will look the same in 100+ years as the day they are installed. They turn water tanks into a feature of your property. Made from 50mpa high quality concrete for exceptional long life. Enhance to appearance of your property - attractive landscape architecture. Let us design your OSD system and chances are you wont need an OSD system at all. Add value and that WOW factor to your quality home. Very cost effective

Thank you Oklouise for looking into these again for me. We had a lengthy discussion with my artchitect during the week and we agreed that he would revisit the whole concept, with particular regard to how spaces are distributed across the split levels. This might change the floor plan entirely. He is coming up with a new proposal today. I will share that with you here for comparison and advise. Thanks again.

Turning an attic into a room can add worth to your property value and additional space for the members of your household. Many old houses were built with slanting roofs and still have more space and available height that makes the attic easier to convert and not so expensive to pull off. There are many things to consider before undertaking the job. Building codes can make permits impossible to obtain if certain structural and safety requirements are not met. Roof design, structural integrity, and support, accessibility, light sources, clearance, comfort, and safety are matters of the utmost importance. All of these things need to be considered before your conversion begins. Converting your attic into an extra room needs planning. Step 1 Enter the penthouse to assess its condition and suitability for conversion. If the attic has post, but no floors, take a slab of wooden planks with you so you can roam around and take some pictures and make some measurements of the Step 2 Take a photo of the rafters you see on the sides of the roof. If your joists are heavy rafters without the addition of brackets attaching them to the floor joists, you probably have an attic that is good for conversion. The brackets indicate a truss frame which may involve raising the expensive roof to allow for the attic conversion. Step 3 Measure the free space in your attic with your tape measure. Attic space has to bet be 10.5 ft at the ridgeline, at least 50% of the completed space must be 7.5 ft in height or more. Step 4 Measure your joists. If the joists are 2x4 or 2x6, they will need to be reinforced to carry the load of floors and furniture. Photos should also be taken here for reference. Step 5 Measure the size and examine the condition of the existing windows. Windows has to be properly insulated and at least 10% of the total floor area. Your measurements need to have a skylight to meet this standard. Step 6 Measure your existing attic access area. Many building codes require a permanent and secure staircase leading to an attic living space. Stairs should be at least 3 feet wide and 13 feet high and rise at an angle of 30 to 35 degrees. Step 7 Hire a Property Service Professional or structural engineer to check your home's foundation and supporting walls to determine if they can handle the added weight of an attic conversion. Step 8 Advertisement Plan a fire exit strategy. A fire escape leading to the roof is a must, as well as safe access via the attic stairs. Step 9 Hire electricians, plumbers, and heating and air conditioning specialists to advise you on what needs to be done to update wiring, provide plumbing, and equip your space for heating and cooling, insulation, and ventilation. Step 10 Contact your local building authority to obtain a building permit and arrange for periodic inspections to make sure your work is in compliance with codes. Step 11 Draw a floor plan to show a hired contractor or to follow yourself if you decide to continue on your own.

Hi kate we scs group is not just a cleaning company we also offer property service and maintenance. Kindly check our site scsgroup.com.au and we are just sharing the idea of modular housing please don't get this wrong we have good intention by sharing good information. Thank you for your understanding