The timber island coming off the kitchen bench!

You could reverse the layout of the ensuite, and have the door to it through the walk in wardrobe (so you would only have one door coming off the bedroom). If I were you, I'd consider swapping the positions of the ensuite and wardrobe, so the current ensuite door becomes the wardrobe door. That way you could move the bed to the east (right), and you would have room for a seating area in the north west corner of the room (as your bedroom looks huge!). I'd also add a window on the small bit of north facing wall in that room; you already have corner windows in the living and another bedroom, so you could match those in style. Personally I don't particularly like the current layout of the main bathroom, although I can see the reasoning behind it (i.e. vanity at entrance, toilet hidden behind wall, window above bath). I think it might work better if you put the shower in the corner where the bath currently is (i.e. beside the toilet, opening to the west), and the bath on the same wall as the vanity. You'd have to move the window, of course. Alternatively, do you actually need three toilets? You could remove the toilet in the main bathroom, and you'd have room for a freestanding bath and/or a bigger shower. You could consider stealing a bit of space from the kitchen to create some storage at the entryway. I'm not sure where your garage will be, but it's really handy to have a designated place at the point of entry for all the stuff you tend to dump when you first come into the house (schoolbags, coats, mail etc). Overall, I think the layout is pretty good, but you could potentially lower the build cost by making it all a bit smaller. It's really worthwhile taking the time to figure out just how much space you actually need, and where you need it. For example, if it were my house, I'd take about half a metre off both the east bedrooms (so the house is shorter from east to west), plus I'd make it smaller north to south by slightly reducing the size of all three bedrooms, and making the kitchen a bit smaller (so the hall cupboard lines up with the back wall of the small living room). But your priorities may be completely different from mine!

So if I want to include sustainable things in my house, where should I start?

Glass balustrades are a decorative architectural feature which also serve to keep people safe. This is best seen today in how they are utilised as a safety and decorative feature of staircases. Advances in glass manufacturing processes have meant that glass balustrades have the potential to add a sleek touch to a 21st-century home. Nowadays, glass is a commonplace element in almost all corporate, commercial and domestic buildings. The production of toughened glass transformed the architectural uses of the material and made the glass balustrade an ideal protective barrier for elevated spaces. When combined with chrome, stainless steel or even fine wood, glass gives any space a sophisticated, minimalist look. Safety First The New Zealand government has strict regulations when it comes to what are acceptable solutions to staircase balustrades. All new structural glass (toughened or toughened laminated) framed barriers complying with B1/AS1 need to have an interlinking top rail combined with an edge support system. Interlinking rails must be designed to resist serviceability limit state (SLS) loads specified in AS/NZS 1170 Structural design actions and B1/VM1 in the event that a glass pane breaks. Frameless glass barriers (no interlinking top rail) must be constructed from laminated toughened or laminated heat-strengthened safety glass with a stiff interlayer designed to retain glass and prevent collapse, if broken. The stiff interlayer must be capable of preventing collapse in the event of a breakage of both panes of glass. The Most Popular Choice As an exterior feature, glass balustrades permit natural light to enter the building and, when used on balconies, present an uninterrupted view of the landscapes. Glass balustrades are just as beautiful inside the house. Their seamless finish complements designer staircases, providing both style and safety. Glass balustrades are low maintenance, requiring little cleaning. Simply spray the surfaces and wipe off the excess water with a microfibre cloth. Trustworthy providers engineer their glass balustrades to meet high standards, ensuring their durability and safety. If you are looking for the newest additions to your home, choose a business that prioritises quality. Visit ackworthhouse.co.nz for a range of first-rate glass balustrades and other interior structures.