when you're cooking you'd need room to move around ..or pop your sink on your island and the stove on bench the rangehood doesn't need to go against the wall can go up to the ceiling and be vented out.. I wouldn't put the stove in the corner..better to have in the middle so you've got bench space on each side to pop your dishes and colanders etc whilst you're cooking

yes, lots of glass..a couple of suggestions to the south side, change double glass doors to timber, matching the garage door, keeping the sidelight windows. Landscaping will definitely help, perhaps a timber screen could be used as well. I think if you stick with the original design, and enhance it with double glazing will work wonders. The sunroom can be extended out to give more space, make a side door to access the courtyard, and possibly another side door to access the patio behind the garage. I wouldn't mess with trying to turn the courtyard into living space, can gym equipment be setup in the garage? Not sure the rules about doors opening onto a spa in the courtyard either..it could be subject to restrictions.

I think the sketch you have done is a good layout for the space you have to work with. I'd consider putting the dishwasher under the sink for cost effective plumbing and also when you rinse the dishes they go straight in the dishwasher instead of leaving a dripping mess on the floor. Could the microwave go underneath the bench that's on the return? if you work with a good kitchen designer they will ensure things like doors open properly and dont hit things and that the ergonomics are set up correctly. Good luck! let me know if I can be of any assistance. Cheers Bronika

Some things to consider: Do you want to be an owner builder or engage a builder to construct the house? The first can be a minefield and filled with risk if you don’t know what you’re doing or very satisfying if you do. If you engage a builder you might as well get a builder to build you a regular/conventional house (custom or volume) and have him or her assume the risk and the headaches. You likely won’t save any money unless you owner build. Can you get finance? Banks don’t like risk. They particularly don’t like owner builders or kit homes or prefab houses. If you need to finance the project make sure you can get finance before you commit to anything. And banks are getting more risk averse since the royal commission. Be aware that the cost you pay for the kit is only the start. Then there’s site works, permits, insurances, internal fixtures and fittings, and lots more. You could end up spending more than double the kit home price to complete the home, depending upon the kit home product. Some kit home companies are better than others. Some have great reputations, others have woeful reputations and do whatever they can to remove any poor reviews or criticism from online channels. I have no idea about Imagine Homes. All of that said, some people have great experiences building kit homes and some of the products offer much more interesting homes than the samey samey homes you will find volume builders doing. All the best with your project. It’s an exciting time.