So I have something atypical and specific in mind and no a project builder with modified standard plan is not going to do the trick. For visualising here's the kind of thing I want.
http://www.busyboo.com/2012/12/27/moder ... westcliff/
The specifics. I want the interior space to be no larger than 55sqm. 1 bed and 1 bath. Yes that's right a freestanding home for a single person. This is the level of space I find ideal for my lifestyle being both spacious and easy to clean, maintain. I've lived in that space for the best part of a decade and never felt the limitations of it. I'm somewhat of a minimalist so I don't own much furniture nor do I care to. I'm well past the lifestage where any kind of family is likely. On top of that I want around 25sqm of covered decking, sitting on a nice block around 900sqm. I'm an avid gardener and cannot live with the pathetic courtyards so common where I live. The block I am still yet to purchase. I do want the home on piers, as if I need to move I would like the ability to have the house removed to my new location.
I'm especially fond of the heavy steel framing of that house, yes the black as well and the large picture windows. I live in a cold climate so I would want more non-glass cladding than that particular home but you get the general idea. The house needs to be orientated for passive solar gain and have high insulative properties. I'm considering a SIPs cladding where the insulation, cladding and lining board are integrated. My aesthetic is definately more asian than traditional modern, in that I like simple lines, low furniture, lack of clutter, use of earthen tones, etc. I plan to create a wonderful woodland type garden and have magnificent views of japanese maples, conifers and rhododendrons from the deck and major living areas. The house I currently live in has an interior space 3.8m wide by about 14m long, its an ideal shape and good layout like that. I also like the idea of a linear floorplan.
So given I've never bought or built any home before, I need some guidance on the best way to approach this. As far as I can see there isn't an off-the shelf product that will come close to what I want. So do I find an architect, a draftsperson, a builder? Whats the best (most straight forward, least expensive) way to do this?