I think a full 3D walkthrough and visualisation package is MORE than worth the cost. Get an architect or design company to do it for you and you wont regret it. It makes a huge difference actually seeing the flow of your house when you walk through it, the light changes at different times of the day/year, (all adjustable in the 3D package). Incredibly important for solar gain etc. Also gives you the ability to really visualise where your furniture items are going, where the lights look best. We are thrilled we did it and the print outs or actual 3d file can be used to show builders/tradesmen to relay the look youre after and the setup. Even for some of those qualified people it can be a help to fully visualise the end result. If youre spending soooo much money building, factor this cost into it. Well worth it.

Hi oklouise, thank you again so much for your suggestions to help me reflect on my choices! The great thing about this whole process is that it has really helped me clarify my must haves/dealbreakers and nice to haves. Key elements that I don't want to forego are: 1) a "master suite" with large WIR + private ensuite+ direct private garden access/views. The current northern bedrooms are elevated and do not allow these elements and better suited to small kids as no external doors and can be eyeballed from the kitchen. 2)The kitchen must be the heart of the home and connected to all living spaces so the host never feels disconnected from guests & can watch kids from almost any living space.I attended a party last weekend which had the kitchen blocking the living room from the outdoor space and the host commented they regretted it after renovating. 3)The dining room must be an end destination vs a corridor so it does not become a dumping grounds for bags, mail & everything else as the nearest flat surface to the entry point. 4) All new bedrooms must also be min 3 -3.2M wide on the narrowest side for me to justify them. 5) I reviewed all my lookbooks and tear sheets pulled to date and its a clear pattern that I want my 'adult' living and dining/entertaining spaces connected to the rear garden preferably wrapping l-shape round a deck or courtyard garden. In a sense 'broken' vs open plan but still visible through glass etc. 6) I would not be prepared sacrifice the prime N/NE aspect with utility rooms. 7) I don't wish to place a verandah at the front as it will never be used except extra maintenance and can create shading in summer via other methods. 8) capacity to rent out room with private living quarters. There are many splitter blocks in my area and I don't need it to operate as legal dual occupancy. 9) single level living -no second story bedrooms etc. 10) separation of main bedrooms when renting out section of house Phew....I think thats most of the checklist criteria I have been working to. Still think tanking the street appeal/front facade style but its probably leaning toward lux byron bay beach cottage meets modern coastal with some retro elements to hint at the history of this 1950s house!

There is something to be said for actually having to "make yourself" to work through/resolving the building slowly and manually "old school", without 3D "tools" as it forces you to really understand how it works simultaneously spatially and structurally. Visualising in 3D from 2D is a skill and if people don't have it naturally it can be developed, but if it doesn't exist you can't just expect a computer program to "sort that bit out" for you and continue on your merry way no dramas. Nope. The problem with the 3D thing is that sometimes it does "auto" stuff, & works it all out so quickly that it "conditions" the operator away from really having to slow down and think properly/deeply about what's happening. Again, this comes back to the (design) process being misunderstood and all messed up. 3D is a fantastic tool, great/wonderful for visualisation DOWN THE TRACK, however when it comes to the fundamentals of architecture & plan resolution and particularly residential/small scale, all you need is a measuring tape, pencil, scale ruler and some paper. Sure CAD makes it quicker and more accurate in this day & age and I admit I now design directly from/in CAD. But I use it like a pencil and it's essentially a more accurate "sketch" process translated into digital but still deeply deals with the fundamental function/zoning/scale/cost/context balance that allows the formal resolution to occur/progress at and in appoprriate time. There is WAY too much focus nowadays on "what it looks like" BEFORE the most critical stuff is understood, established and sorted. What is being lost and standardised/categorised with this era of visual focus is EXPERIENCE of space, which ultimately is what architecture is all about. It's a welding of science and art that is an art form within itself. When design is approached with a basic typological or cut&paste/elemental manner, that is only reinforced with computer programs, particularly in inexperienced hands, critical elements of space are not as effectively addressed and opportunities are missed or misunderstood. Not a good thing. "Form follows function" (thanks Frankie) and arguably the great examples of the craft of residential space were created without computers and have proven to stand the test of time. We may be able to do things quicker these days, but it doesn't necessarily equate to better nor enduring results. Not surprising really. End of rant ;) BTW The helicopter idea's not bad Retro ;)

Jason.....3 factors: 1. your requirements/goals/"brief" 2. Budget 3. Site/context........these 3 things will define the project outcome/direction one way or the other...and that outcome/direction will depend upon how these factors are negotiated, balanced and managed..........I could go on for days about all this stuff, but as start, perhaps think about developing a home from the inside out, rather than the outside in, because if you do that it generally will reflect/respond to and be better suited to and derived from you, your needs and the lifestyle you seek. You already have some reference points (land, certain styles that appeal etc)...perhaps best you reach out/speak with some design professionals about your potential home and begin to hone in on your priorities and what aligns with your goals......... Be aware that you will be predominantly EXPERIENCING your home, rather than sitting outside with a cup of tea admiring it like they do in the Colorbond TV ads......so what it looks like, really should come from what it is internally....form follows function.....also arguably some of the beautiful European architecture is not necessarily that well suited to the Australian climate & environment......a house that deeply connects to the site/context, functions & performs to a certain level and "feels" great and appropriately balanced will provide an immeasurably greater living experience on many levels, as opposed to one that may look pretty in a brochure or on instagram, but in reality is disconnected to context, arbitrarily sited and configured or misaligned in various ways the homeowner's various particular & practical needs........ Fantastic & exciting opportunity..... Hope this provides some preliminary food for thought....feel free to reach out if you'd like some further direction/guidance Good luck! Cheers PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com