<human>: Summarize the given text in a few sentences.

I already have the plot so I know that the house will be two stories, about four bedrooms with a smallish garden.  It is in south-east England so the climate is mild - fairly hot summers and fairly cold winters.

I know already that I want it to be upside-down (living area on top, bedrooms at the bottom) and fairly open plan.  Beyond that I'm really open to ideas, but I want it to be special.

I'd really like some help with ideas...  have any of you done this before and got any good tips?  What have you done or seen that's been a big success?  What have you seen that seemed like a good idea initially but turned out to be not so great?

For example... triple glazing?  Solar panels?  Wet room over a normal shower?  Steam room - is that even possible, or practical?  Jacuzzi on the balcony?  Underfloor heating?  

Are there any good tips from other countries that people don't do in the UK but should?  Like I heard of "central vacuum" for the first time the other day...
<bot>: For the first and probably only time in my life I have a blank sheet to start designing my own house.  Please share your ideas and experiences....