The BASIX Certificate will state the minimum requirements. Not all windows are created the same.....some well known brands are absolute rubbish therefore depending on the builders choice (if you don't specify otherwise) you may need double glazed yet a superior brand will only need Low E to achieve comparable ratings. Buyer beware!

Wow, that's a very tricky layout! I love OKlouise's change to the laundry and kitchen! I can see why the TV won't work though. I don't think there's any perfect solution here. What about some open shelving, housing the TV, coming out adjacent to the garage door - this will block an unsightly door way and create a bit more of a nook for the living room. As a slight adaptation of OkL's plan could you put the TV on an angle behind the front door and move the furniture around to suit, perhaps? And another idea - getting the TV off the floor and onto the wall would help enhance the feeling of space - you could keep existing furniture arrangement and invest in a bracket that swivels the TV out from the 'garage door' wall, it'll be closer for viewing, then you can push it back flat against the wall when not in use. Best of luck! :)

Have you considered taking away the cavity door beside the stairs and open a section of the wall opposite the stairs to create a 2 way open ended shelving with some down light for displaying purposes? A series of full height vertical blade screening beside the shelving can then help add visual depth in the living room and still define the living room. It will also help frame the tv cabinetry with the existing nib wall on the other side. You will have minimal issues with reducing structural integrity of a potential load bearing wall. The existing fireplace is too nice to remove or make alterations to as it nicely divides dining with the living room.

The new work looks tight and awkward, so I hope everybody in your home is skinny and happy to walk sideways like a crab! My main concern is the relationship of the toilet to your living area, and the line of sight to the toilet pan from the front door if the laundry door is left open. Without knowing the size of your home, the number of members in your household, and the number of bathrooms, I would be examining if I really need a tiny bathroom at that end of the house, so a full house plan would be useful. It looks like you are making a lot of compromises (and a lot of expense) to achieve a walk-in-pantry, which is not the most efficient way for storage when things are tight. I would save the wasted floor space in a walk-in-pantry and spend some money on the more space-efficient pull-out pantry option. Remember to think about the function of spaces, and their relationship to adjoining spaces, and how they are going to be furnished and used. This is one of the reasons why people engage design professionals. Best of luck with your redesign, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits