Hi Vick, We are currently in the planning stage of knocking down our house and we have engaged with an architect who is pretty good. Let me know if you want her details. TC

Islamic arches were traditionally built with masonry construction, but were simpler and less ornate than the arches in your image. The image you have is an artist's computer rendered impression, which means that there is a certain amount of artistic license that doesn't represent reality. Artists who create these images don't need to have any building or technical background which is why they often draw what can't actually be built in the real world. If you were building this for your home I would find Australia's best bricklayer and give him the challenge. It will be tricky and labour intensive with lots of cut and angled bricks, and then render over the whole lot to provide the smooth finish. Needless to say this will be very expensive. If I was building it for a film set I would probably get a cabinetmaker to make it with bent and curved plywood over a timber frame, which would probably be cheaper than a brick layer, but wouldn't last as long in a bathroom environment.

Hi RJ, There seems to be some dangerously incorrect criticism floating about of using area rates to map out the cost for a project in the early stages, however we can use this to highlight to the Houzz community the appropriateness of using area rates to cost your project in the early stages. RJ you have done everything right in using an approximate area rate to map out your project costs before a designer is appointed!! Although there is some merit to note it is helpful to source your area rates from similar projects from the industry at that point in time - which can be obtained from a QS/Cost Planner/architect/designer - at least you are starting to think in realistic budget terms terms. $2K/m2 may/may not reflect what a builder can deliver for a bespoke design - depending of course on whether structure or kitchens / bathrooms are affected (i.e. check out this amazing kitchen / bathroom calculator from realeastate.com.au!! https://www.realestate.com.au/calculators/renovation-calculator/) ........however this is still getting you close to what might end up being the budget or the revised scope of work. The first thing your designer should do - almost before ANY drawings are done - is check your project budget matches your brief/scope of works by using Cost Plan A area rates and an 'Opinion of Probable Cost".. They can also identify if you are touching other parts of the site or scope that need to be taken into account that you may not have realised. At the start of a project, when there is no design yet, only plans with an approximate area scope of works (floor area schedules), it is what is referred to as "Cost Plan A" stage. Refer to this helpful description from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services; "Due to the very nature of information available, cost plan A is developed in conjunction with floor area schedules and should be based on data gathered from other similar projects, surveys of existing conditions and major project specific issues such as the suitability, age and condition of existing facilities, including upgrade of site services, asbestos removal, topography, heritage issues and so on."....http://www.capital.health.vic.gov.au/Planning_and_evaluation/Cost_plans/Cost_plan_stages/  One of the benefits of using an architect is that we are rigorously trained and registered to provide "Cost Advice", and right from the early stages using area rates. Building designers must provide this advice however are governed by consumer law and not by an Act of Parliament. When your project is at this stage there is clearly no 'Trade Breakdown" as the design hasn't even started yet!! And yet we must guide you as to an appropriate budget to match your scope of works. A responsible architect / building designer will test these area rates with industry-standard costings to identify an appropriate budget right from the beginning, so that we can make adjustments to the scope to ensure we can get excited about what you can really afford to build before the design is finished. Refer also to this helpful article by Choice on "what can go wrong"......but also what can go right when using an architect/building designer; https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/building-and-renovating/design-and-trades/articles/architects-designing-to-build-budget I love that you are already excited to begin looking at a shortlist of Pros in the Brisbane area and I wish you Good Luck!

Hi Hu, In terms of shower placement - not necessarily. It can be where ever you wanted it and common sense will prevail. A consideration with the smart tile grates (dependent on which you use) sometimes they dont allow the water to escape fast enough. They have a tendency to sit low in the cradle and inhibit the water drainage. If the water is sitting around your feet the drainage point would seem to be in the right place. It could be a partially blocked drain and that can be myriad of reasons. There are silicon seals that clip on the door that will stop water (nearly always a problem with frame-less screens) escaping. But please talk to your Builder and get him/her to examine the problem. Ask your Builder to get the plumber back to check it out for you. I hope this is helpful. Cheers Trevor