Indeed an interesting thread an I must admit that I've been going cross-eyed extracting as much information from your two images as I can. A very challenging dilemma. I can't speak for the glazing. It's not my area of expertise. I'm inclined to agree with other comments in this thread re leaning towards internal window treatments. The long raking window at top presents special challenges and as Envirotecture has indicated it would meaning being open to the consideration of framing your view somewhat. Here are some ideas which might be worth considering. 1. A fixed curtain for the upper raking window. Given the room is very much about light, a sheer, though not providing the same insulating properties as curtains or heavier drapery, would nevertheless, provide some insulating benefit from the air-gapping effect. A fixed curtain (sheer or otherwise) is likely to be one of the cheaper components in the options I'm listing. 2. It's hard to tell from the images how much more the 'conventional' rectangular space beyond the couch extends. Assuming it does not extend the entire length of the side of the house you have a number of options available to you here. Options which could Include Soft Roman Blinds fronting on sunscreen roller blinds. Pelmets would provide substantive insulating benefits, but it is difficult to see from the image whether they would suit, and whether you would have sufficient height, or 'any height' above that window in which to mount them so as to minimise the loss of window view due to the stacking up of the Roman. The sunscreen rollers are less problematic in that regard and provide some insulation while still allowing light when the Romans are not lowered. If opting at any stage for Romans, ensure they are properly lined with pre-stiffened Roman Lining which provides better insulation, but almost more importantly, will not sag over time such is the case with many Romans that are lined with much cheaper curtain lining which is not pre-stiffened and does not afford the same degree of insulation. 3. Along the main alfresco expanse where the table is located, and under the previously proposed location of the fixed curtains along the raking window, a motorised or hand traversed S-Fold or Wave curtain fronting, yet again, more thermal sunscreen roller-blinds could present an attractive modern look in keeping with the modern style of the room and house. Of course, an issue is going to be stack-back when the curtains are open, however, the double layered protection of both a Wave or S-Fold curtain and Roller Blinds will provide superior insulating benefits to tinting throughout the year (not just summer) imho. 4. Other ideas include Plantation Shutters across the raking/eve window above. I doubt very much that plantation shutters would work along the lower 'framed' area as the stack-back effect if bi-fold, or loss of view if sliding, would be too much of a sacrifice, let alone the additional consideration of the cost of such treatment used so extensively. Although, the window treatments i have suggested for possible consideration do not necessarily offer optimum insulation (eg the exclusion of pelmets or use of heavy lined drapery), I believe that you there would be some offset in terms of a positive ROI over time due to the savings you will reap on your heating/cooling bills. I'm in Melbourne which is marginally warmer, and without adequate insulating window treatments, the heat loss through the glass is substantial and the heating/cooling bills frightening. 5. That's a hell of a lot of glass to treat whether you opt for a glazing solution which will provide primary benefit during the summer or conventional internal window treatments - whether drapery or blind. Either way the solution is likely to be costly. To keep the cost down you could always consider high quality Thermal Verticals which can come in a variety of slat sizes colours and textures and provide substantive savings over the Wave or S-fold solutions with less stack-back loss. Once again ensuring you purchase high quality verticals that will hold up to the Australian sun over the long haul is important. The cheaper stuff might look good but you'll be picking slats off the floor within 5 years if you are not careful. Here is an image from one of our own projects where high quality 'chain-less' verticals were used to cover large expanses of glass throughout the house in combination with thermal roller blinds. Of course, this treatment or the use of Wave/S-fold curtains would only provide part of the overall solution you require. 6. The only solution I didn't yet mention is the use of folding arm awnings. While they would provide benefits during the summer, they would be more than likely at the expense of your expansive view (or part thereof). Quality awnings whether manually operated or motorised are also costly. The only other comment I might make is that internal blind and curtain window treatments provide you with a high degree of flexibility. Romans, for example work well in combination with many other window treatments, either along side them, or in combination with each other in the context of the same window. The same can be said for the other treatments I have mentioned. The internal window treatments suggested can also facilitate the ability to support a style transition from one room or area to the next. - An important consideration if the house is of a uniform style throughout and you are wanting to 'mix it up a bit' or transition to styles that vary yet compliment the primary style or look you may have throughout the house. I'm sorry, it is difficult offering suggestions based on your two images, even though they are of good quality and detailed. I don't envy you with this 'design dilemma' ... though it certainly gets my vote as one of the more challenging ones I have seen in recent times, and in an area/topic where I felt I could contribute.

Thanks for all the detailed comments! A few clarifications from me.. We have done the BASIX and so, really, the window size, shape, location is determined. That wasn't clear of me, sorry, I guess I meant we can change the dimensions (within reason) to suit if a "standard size" is cheaper than the size that we have currently, which was rather arbitrary. But this way of thinking might be totally irrelevant! All the windows/doors penetrations are blocked out when they pour the concrete panels, so while we could infill or something if the penetration is too big, we are really trying to get it right now so there are no breaks in the concrete. I think we also did the BASIX with double glazing and Al frames originally (will look it up) but as we are off grid that kind of blew everything else out of the water. We have done all the shadow diagrams and spent a lot of time with placement and eaves. I think that part is OK. I am pretty set on double glazing and thermally broken frames (where aluminium). Thanks Paul for your comment of 10-15%. Our preliminary quote from out builder is certainly not that high (more like 5%) and I was having trouble seeing how we could get everything for that price. I am sure it is possible, and while we are very conscious not to over-capitalise, I don't think the most basic product is a good idea. oklouise, I share your concerns about bifolds! I don't really like them but my partner really wants them and I'm happy to give on that one. I have one quote from CedarWest which seems reasonable, but then it's the same again for an integrated screen!! Will consider other ways of doing that. So! More details: See attached the overall floor plan (floor plan attached twice, sorry!) and views. Great 270deg views (all but west as sort of dug into a hill to avoid the wind). There are 2 pods connected by an open walkway. Ignore the round window - point of contention and may change. The main pod has two large east-facing windows. A thought was gas-lift windows with the large bottom sill to serve as extra seating when open. In the E view, the verandah will not have that many posts so the view is not actually obstructed. Any ideas are greatly appreciated! I think I am just struggling with all the choice, and need to start pining down some constrains that I can work within! Thank you!!

Hi, since your kitchen is small and there's a lot going on I would go with a very light coloured back splash. A very light warm grey as suggested could work nicely here. It would also brighten up the area a little. I certainly wouldn't introduce yet another colour. Introducing something like a bright red will draw attention to the backsplash area, but the design of the kitchen doesn't lend itself for such a high impact visual focus. Keeping it calm and neutral will make the kitchen look more like a unit rather that bottom and top cabinets with a big red/black/maroon stripe through it. The company supplying the back painted glass should either have a range of available colours to choose from, but usually any standard RAL colour should be available at a minimum. They will most likely have the RAL standard colours fan available for reference as well. I'd go with the one of lightest warm grey shades that is in the standard range. Your worktop has warm tones in it, your wall is beige, going in with a cool grey will make each colour look "off". The last thing I'd recommend is black. I know it has been mentioned, but it is just too strong of a contrast and non of the other materials and colours would support such a stark, contemporary choice. If you are worried that the existing dark red paint will alter the colour of your new glass back splash, and that's a very valid argument btw, just paint it over with two coats of white prior to installing the new back splash. I'd do that a few days prior to installing the glass to make sure the paint is nice and dry. In terms of maintenance a glass back splash is probably the easiest to look after since its so easy to clean and there's no grout that can attract dirt over the years. Good luck with the renovation :)

Thanks Kate and Amony, We don't have our own engineer. The builder has developed the plans, design and will engage their own engineers through the process. As working drawings haven't been developed yet (awaiting final fixtures / fittings), I'm not sure if we could reasonably engage our own engineer, but let me know if you feel otherwise? We don't have our own architect, the design is a modification of a standard house plan that the builder offers. Noting that they show a cathedral ceiling with glazed gable very close to what we have been shown on their website / marketing material, and what is in our contract. With regards "the builder's drawing is ugly", I assume you're referring to the proposed new design, and yes we certainly agree! Though if you're referring to both original and proposed, then I guess that means you're recommending we don't pay the ~$58K and revert back to a normal ceiling and forego the glazed gable. That is certainly an option we are considering. We agree with respect to "if he was unable to follow the plans, then that should have been conveyed up front", and would have likely not gone with them, hence we feel like this is false advertising / bait & switch and depending on how things we go we will probably report them to the ACCC. With regards "this builder will be a major problem as you continue with a build and will try to cut costs for himself", I can't argue with that, but for the moment we have a signed contract in play. So would your recommendation be to potentially forego the 5% deposit (assuming they quantify their reasonable costs up to this point) and walk away? This is certainly a scenario I am aware of. For "what do you do if he changes plans partway through", this is where we are seeking some external legal (due tomorrow). I feel like the builder is in breach of contract, in which case we should have a way of cancelling the contract without losing our 5%. Right now we feel like they have made a major mistake in selling us on something they feel like they can't actually build, and hopefully legal advice supports that they are in breach.