Shifting the laundry will create a larger laundry and allow for a 'kids bedroom zone' with better access to bathroom for all 3 minor bedrooms. Place the rumpus where dinning is. This can be separated or use the great sliding wall/door idea. It also allows view from kitchen. I agree with moving the fridge and creating a more open WIP. This also allows for a WI Linen - which could be opened up to the mud room, or even a powder room. I found the front living room to be an awkward size and shape so did a slight rearrange in that area. This gives the Living Room access to the north facing patio/outdoor area, tying all the living spaces together while keeping them seperate.

imo the problem with a courtyard on the east side is that a two storey courtyard could be very hot with the eastern aspect during hot weather and also stretch the house to use up too much backyard ...the basic plan i've suggested has a wide side path to create a full length narrow courtyard on the east (subject to council regs a deciduous vine covered pergola would be excellent along the east) and there's also a courtyard on the west with garage access to the back yard but also creates a good hot weather alfresco without shading the family room and kitchen... .keeping the house in a neat shape is easier to heat and cool, makes a much more economical build and the pergola, alfresco and an upstairs balcony could be optional/later additions ...make a list of what you need, how you would use each room, could the garage double as a big party room (open to the western alfesco and used as a sleepout for a crowd of visitors or a wet weather kids' playroom...what about a downstairs shower for visitors with a sofa bed in the living or study?) try and multipurpose as much as possible could you lose some of the living areas not used every day and look at the position of windows from inside out..eg in my plan you can stand at the sink and look through to the glass front door and living room to the front garden and park and also supervise the back garden with a splashback window, there's easy access.to the garage and powder room from inside and out and the simple shape of the building allows for optional extras so concentrate on the basics and plan for adding alfrescos and courtyards outside the main building..my poor 3d image shows the view towards the front door from the sink and the stairwell allows extra northern light down from upstairs

I think it depends on the household and the time of day that the rooms are used. What your instinct says about what most people look for in a house is a good view from the master is irrelevant, as this is your house so it has to be right for your household. Unless you are planning to build it and flip it in the short term then what other people think doesn't matter. A master bedroom, which is mostly used at night, doesn't need views or sunlight, unless you are overlooking a nighttime view, such as Sydney Harbour (which I don't think you are). A house with more views and northern light to shared, common areas often feels better than if these assets are exclusive and restricted to two family members. If a study is to be used by a professional adult during the day then make the most of the views and northern light with good separation from kitchen/dining. If the study is going to be used by kids to do homework and cruise the internet then having it adjacent to the kitchen for supervision is probably a better solution. best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits

Your block narrows in to 19m on the south side, therefore you will have to narrow the house build to allow for correct side set backs. Therefore any plan you look at will not be suitable. The house will need get get narrower towards south. Why can’t you have the full garage on the south side with the rear access, and have the north side as your front entrance and living areas all facing north?