Hi. If you have an existing drain via your shower, this can be converted to take care of a bath shower combination, even if you also need it to be a wet floor drain. A bath waste is normally a 40mm pipe, so if your existing pipe is a 32, you might need to do some conversion

Hi, what option did you decide on? We are thinking of wet area bath/shower too due to a relatively small main bathroom. Concerned about cleaning up around freestanding bath...

OP, as soon as I saw the floorplan & block, I thought what a great home layout, incorporating many "passive solar design" elements. What are these? A rectangular building envelope, with longer faces looking north & south, perfect! Designing with living areas (& a large proportion of glazing) facing north, perfect! Minimizing (or even eliminating) western windows, perfect! These elements will mean you'll have a nice bright home, & will help insure that you have a comfortable energy efficient home, that is warm in winter & cool in summer. Read more about passive solar design on this government website, http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design I wouldn't advise adding a verandah to the northern side of the house (unless you're in a very warm climate that requires no heating in winter), as the verandah will rob your house of sunshine in winter, making it cold. Adequate northern eaves are a much better idea, admitting winter sunshine (when the sun is lower in the sky), while shading summer sunshine (when the sun is higher in the sky). A pergola to the north (with deciduous vines) is OK, as it doesn't lock winter sunshine too much. If you are going to open up towards the backyard, to the west, this would be the perfect place for a verandah (or pergola). This is because western windows are not shaded very well by eaves. A larger verandah does a better job at keeping the hot afternoon summer sun out of the house. One other thing I might advise. It might be a good idea to add a couple of small south facing windows to your living area. Nothing too large, just something to promote cross ventilation. This will ensure you will get cooling breezes through your home in summertime.

Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK