Hi Sandy, I haven't personally worked with anyone as some of our owners are still picking their jaws up off the floor stage with the requirements for engineering, specs, costs etc that they're up for - which is why I raised it in the first place. Let me comment on your points. EC's are LIABLE for the decisions make and the impacts of those decisions on all owners, the building and themselves so under their duty of care they're going to want the t's crossed and the i's dotted. They've got skin on the table that other owners don't have so are truly invested in what's happening and working with owners when and where possible. You indicated that you were looking for a design that would be sell-able to the EC - they'll automatically require that it's in keeping with the other buildings so that's already your starting point. Talk to them before you engage anyone to design so that you know how they think - they'll want to work with you and be on your side to improve the building and it's live-ability). I'd also suggest that you invite a nominated member of the EC to sit in on any briefings you give to designers/contractors so that you have a smooth run and have the EC as part of your solution not an obstacle to your problem being fixed. In your comment regarding precedent unless you know for a fact that the structures on the other buildings were put up after the completion of the original build - I'd argue that: If the shade structures on the other buildings were part of the original build then no EC within the buildings life have had to approve or reject a request for the structures and those structures are part of the building which makes it part Common Property and therefore there is no precedent. If the other buildings shade structures were fitted after the bylaws were set then you need to find out how the bylaws were done - exclusive to a particular unit or particular group of units OR as a blanket bylaw for all the apartments across all the buildings within the complex as this will impact on your costs. If by-laws (regardless of how they've been done) pertaining to shade structures on other buildings exist then the EC "can't reasonably withhold permission providing that criteria are met" but they can put conditions on it which is why its a good idea to talk to them before you talk to designers/architects/suppliers. If the by-laws don't exist then they have the right every right to say "you want it, you pay for the Bylaw change" (and how they elect to do that will be up to the EC and the Strata Manager not to you) or they could just say "no". Regarding your comments regarding building codes that's mute at this point - you, your fellow owners and the EC should be looking at product/design will be fit for purpose (ie., making sure that it's got suitable wind ratings, the structural integrity to deal with conditions and location requirements and impact of the specific product etc. and how it'll be managed long term. It's assumed that it'll be installed to building code and will be stated in their permission conditions as a standard clause.

As a ballpark starting figure use around $1800 - 2000 per square metre. This just a ballpark figure to use as as starting point and can easily vary either side. So for $150k for that size dwelling is only around $600 per square metre...... Contact a local designer (the good ones understand budgets and costings) and start from there. Material and product choices will vary the cost to construct greatly so keep that in mind. Building costs are always increasing not going down.

living in regional NSW i'm sorry to say that the cost for building "in the country" seems much more expensive than on the coast.... plans i've done for several friends on the coast have been about 20-30% cheaper to build than locally (transport costs. less competition and volume discounts?)...i suggest you check some of the building companies like Gardner, Beechwood, Rawson homes etc building in your area for a comparison price

Echo 100% all of the above comments............... the big DIY rookie design error is designing disconnected from specific context.........also starting with a rectangle shape and then filling in the rooms/spaces...not to mention not understanding how to manage budget with design appropriately within context...... you're missing the opportunity here........... To clarify, one of the biggest differences between designers/architects and draftspeople is the knowledge and management of costs......think of it like this - draftspeople draw stuff as instructed, whereas designers/architects creatively configure and develop spaces simultaneously factoring in multiple level/layers of requirements appropriately balanced within context/to regulation, with deep understanding of costs involved and ultimately how to maximise the opportunity.... Good Designers will craft an experience of space....it's chalk & cheese/completely different services......... The basic outline you've sketched is something that probably would be better suited to a smaller/suburban block...but you're talking about a rural acreage context, which brings with it a completely different set of conditions and also opens up so many opportunities for design that responds and connects with the immediate context.......think of amazing views/outlooks and how a building can be spread out without the constraints of close boundaries etc....I start to think about verandahs and spaces that connect to the outdoors.... Developing a home is a balancing process, of numerous factors and priorities. You need to establish these aspects first, work out what's important and what is your budget limit. Then work from there. You may find you need significantly greater money allocation to build aspect than you're thinking, and possibly it makes more sense to look at a smaller allotment and different land/building budget ratio......Don't underestimate owner builder costs. It's not necessarily a cheaper option unless you have "free" time, construction/industry knowledge and a passive income combination........these are big decisions that will take time to work through, but focusing on your kitchen or bedroom layout at this point in time is arguably a waste of time at this point in the process for you......as oklouise so correctly said "design is the most important part", and so it is highly advised that you allocate a reasonable amount of your investment to that part of it.... Just as a random thing, attached a sketch for a rural context....it's contemporary and subtle split/varied level, but all about the outlooks and natural light, zone separations and connecting deeply with the land........you have to design from the inside out, but you need to first understand where it's grounded and the context the design is physically responding to.... Something like you have drawn would likely be more cost effectively achieved with an off the shelf option like a volume builder, rather than going owner builder.... Hope some of this is helpful Best of luck Victoria Cheers PD :)