Log cabin with a clipped gable roof by the forest - improve planning?

For the beams and walls we will inquire, as well as for the overall impression. Floors and walls can still be adjusted to achieve an effect, that's true. Slate was already installed in the first house after it was often said about parquet and underfloor heating that solid country house planks can warp due to uneven drying. The multi-layer variant doesn't make sense to me yet; it feels like it's not parquet but veneer.

The kitchen is a different matter, it is (except for the fronts) practically already settled. That was the central element around which many of our plans were made. From the current approximately 6 sqm, with a working surface of less than 70 cm, it virtually goes straight into paradise. The only question remaining is whether the targeted kitchen builder will accommodate our special requests or if we have to go to the carpenter/joiner for custom manufacturing, as we mostly install commercial kitchen appliances, meaning a more powerful induction cooktop that doesn't get out of breath even with two 20-30 liter pots and a small combi steamer instead of an oven. As a high-temperature oven, there is the fireplace with a baking compartment. We really enjoy cooking, quite often for 20-50 people or more.

Addendum: Yes, a combi steamer is not very cozy. But it is very practical. I also find the range cookers more attractive

Is your dining room big enough? I really like the AGA Rangecooker. Unfortunately, the shop in Inverness brought me back down to earth. My dream exceeds my kitchen budget.

I now have to wait and see what the architect says. It may be that 2 or 4 more supports are needed for the roof trusses, then we will have to rearrange again. The workstation will go away, it definitely doesn't belong there, but then we should have enough space for a dining table. We are aiming for about 3m table length for 8-10 seats. It simply doesn't need to be more.

I really like the AGA Rangecookers.

Visually, I think they’re great, and there are always large cooking zones with oversized combination ovens, but they then have too little power. Last year, we bought an independent induction cooktop with 3.5kw when we planned a bigger cooking event again, and that was already a revelation compared to the normal ones we had before. Unfortunately, there is no all-rounder.. a lot of space and a lot of power is rare. If it does exist, the electrician causes trouble or you can’t find a kitchen manufacturer who installs the built-in appliances. The decision for the kitchen is probably easier for us because we both like cooking; a shared hobby definitely gets more support. When everything is finished, we are happy to invite people over for cooking, even if it’s not a Rangecooker.

what is not at all acceptable are stairs/landings on the lower floor etc.

Another questionable answer. Your own designs were full of stair landings. But now it says, that's not acceptable at all. Huh? And then they are only not allowed on the lower floor? Huh again? What is the man talking about? Does he mean something completely different?

It is usually a bad idea to present your own ideas to the architect – especially as a layperson. This profession tends to implement these ideas one hundred percent without using their own judgment. That’s why always go without a design and just articulate wishes.