There is no problem at all with waterproofing a landscaped roof so long as you don't 'cut corners'. The problem arises if there are not adequate standards set for the supply of the product and the installation of the product. With the use of superior water proof membranes and installation by specialists there is no issue at all. This sort of roof is used all around the world.

HI again! I've spent the past few days visiting far flung industrial estates to look at where the CarbonLite product is manufactured and my friend's double/triple glazing factory. (I, too, am more comfortable with the panelised wall/floor/roof systems than modular, after visiting the Modscape factory...which was very impressive but ...not for me). On my travels I was a bit disappointed to find that the CarbonLite walls in the factory, ready to go out for construction, were not made with the 'recycled PET bottle' insulative layer but with glass wool batts. Also, some of my queries couldn't be addressed due to a lack of technical knowledge on behalf of the person I made a time to speak to at the factory. The fellow I spoke to the day before, who has a potentially rival business, was extremely knowledgeable and I'm hoping to work with him towards costing our house, which is still in the design phase. Our site has excellent views to the south east which is what got me thinking about triple glazed windows and now I have fallen down this rabbit hole of new ways of thinking... Nevertheless, I have become much more interested in the Passive House concept and intend exploring further to see if 1. we will be able to afford it 2. if we can find a skilled, Passive House certified builder for South Gippsland and, 3. if we can work out whether it is just a bit of a fad that may be overkill in Australia! Do you think Passive House is here to stay? I'm trying to reconcile the passive solar/passive house principles- I've been so bound to the idea of thermal mass it's a hard one to let go of! However, i do prefer not to live on a concrete floor! Having just read 'dreamer's' link I think I may have been bedazzled by the triple glazing fairy dust rather than our reality of not being millionaires! Habitech looks interesting but I think it comes with the external cladding and i don't love the versions I've seen so far... I am completely in agreement with you regarding designing a house with the space you need rather than building some voluminous thing with space to burn, just for the sake of it! Ridiculous and irresponsible on a planet that is already using up far more resources than is sustainable over the not-much-longer term.

(echoing others here) No, no, no NO! ............The issue isn't the brickwork nor the roof tiles.....rather it's the currently multicoloured trim of say your guttering, garage and windows etc... I'd also argue that the idea of the "award winning" example posted above, will most likely date in time.......although I like the landscaping aspect of that one - but otherwise it's too heavy tonally for my eye and the rear extension is a harsh juxtaposition formally........anyway,I digress.... On your home here I reckon you best to work within the inherent style rather than try and force it into something that it is not. Other things, some not that expensive, will go a long way here, for example, bring the trim colours into consistency, consider relocating the downpipe on the far left brick column, and focus on a proper front landscaping design (including removing the concrete aspect) and de-cluttering the verandah will also make a world of difference. Looks like you have a beautiful established (jacaranda) tree in your front yard - perhaps make that that the "hero" of your frontage / streetscape That's what I did on this project, whilst completely different style the point is it was more about the garden - the house and structure becomes supporting and complimentary to the external landscaped spaces Good luck! PD www.pauldistefanodesign.com

Hi Louise . Thanks heaps for your reply . We plan to enlarge the ensuite in the bedroom and the lounge may be a study or an entrance/mudroom. We don't plan to keep it as a lounge area and may enclose by building walls or using a room divider such as room slats- it depends on costs. We also plan to do landscaping (garden is behind family/bedroom 4/laundry) including timber decking to the alfresco (which is to the left of the family room). If it’s helpful I can take pics of the garden and alfresco tomorrow? Local climate is hot and humid in summer and cool and rainy in winter-I am based in Perth, Australia. There will also be cosmetic changes such as new paint/door handles/skirting , LED lighting and also new flooring (timber in the kitchen and lounge), new air con. The family/ bedroom 4/laundry face North. I have attached a more in depth floor plan with dimensions , is that sufficient? Otherwise I can measure the walls. When I say extend to the left I mean add an extension outside the existing walls. Carport is part of original building. Have added a pic of the front of the house. Thank you, appreciate the time you’ve taken to ask these questions!