You should contact an architect as soon as you decide on a project. An architect will present you with additional options, will help you to finalize the details and place your project into the chosen environment.
Before starting to build a house, you must have: a site plan, layout drawings, a fire installation drawing, drainage installation drawings, particulars of any existing building or structure that is going to be demolished (and you need to state how it will be demolished), and any other plans and particulars that your local authority requires.
An architect will either do plans only, or plans with project management. This means he will stay with you and help you throughout the building process.
The remodel is meant to bring the outdoors indoors, optimising one side of the house for indoor gardening and incorporating a courtyard of sorts. At the same time, airflow and transparency (especially in the roof design) will have to be considered so the house (double-story) doesn't become a sauna. I already know what I want the finished product to look like. I prefer email communication, as due to my line of work, I'm often unable to take personal phone calls.
