Hello Please make sure you design a floor plan that suits the orientation of your site, works in connection and flow, and creates spaciousness with decent storage, light and volume, and great indoor/outdoor connection. To be perfectly honest, it won't matter very much what you clad it in or what the roof is doing if you don't achieve this. I am so saddened to read on this thread that homeowners are having to do certain work to 'take back the reigns' from their designers. Architects and other professionals can forget that it's your home, your budget, your life. A professional should expand your ideas and add value to your plans and dreams for your home with their expertise. Unfortunately this doesn't always occur. Perhaps find a designer who can work collaboratively with you in this way. Even if you're building a small budget home, chances are you're still spending a big investment for you. It doesn't cost anymore to build a wall in the right place or the wrong place, and in my experience, the money you spend on the right professional saves you money in the long run. Invest in some advice upfront so you make a difference in the outcome you achieve. That's what helps you create a home that works and makes your life better, Regards Amelia Lee www.undercoverarchitect.com.au

The problem with software is that it takes longer to learn it than to actually use it. Most designers will always start with a pen and paper and do a few designs first. The first ones are bubble diagrams scribbled down fast to get an idea on the use of the space such as walk around what you want to see out of windows and where to put rooms. This is then developed further and further until its good enough to start drawing up better. A design like a mud map given to a designer is better than being too specific as the designer will feel held back. Many non professional's spend so much time on a design they want to 'see it through and constructed exactly how they drew it' even though its flawed.... Also make a decision on whether you need either a Building Designer, a good draftsman or an Architect.

Sketchup is a great program especially as you can download a free version. Only problem I had with it is you design in 3D which can be converted to a 2 D floor plan, Oklouise and my old program does the opposite and works in 2d, you can switch between 2D & 3D. "3D home Architect" which is no longer producing but you can still pick up online, very easy to use, I paid AU$25 with manual and disc. Sketchup has great online tuition but I would prefer face to face and can't find that in my area but maybe you will manage with the online, it would be well worth it as you can import any plans into it where as 3DHA comes with a very old library which you can no longer update and can't import other plans, I think?

Thankyou so much @ddarroch I so appreciate your input. I am by far no expert and have very little understanding of what is logistically going to work so your suggestions have really made a big impact on the way I am seeing the plan work on site. Firstly, yes, the plan was inspired by a passive design. The house will be off grid so it is important for it to be designed in an energy efficient manner. We would like the living pavilion to have a concrete floor and the bedroom pavilion to be timber floored. This is to maximise the heat stored in the floor in the living by the wood fire heater with the mind to transfer the heat throughout the house with a ventilation system. We live on the NSW South Coast so we are a moderate climate and the block itself is sheltered by thick trees on all sides but the south. Would you suggest North facing bedrooms or south facing? The plan was for the North facing windows in the bedrooms to be highlight windows. I love the idea of shortening the house exterior by putting the living in front of the bedroom pavilion to save external cladding and hallway space. Thankyou. I will also take note to further insulate the western wall. The idea was to have a skillion roof on both parts of the house, toward the south in the living wing with highlight windows to allow the north sun in and angled to the north on the bedroom wing (with a flat ceiling internally) to maximise the north facing roof for solar. I will also heed your advice regarding the location of plumbing. Thankyou again. I really appreciate it.