Ideas on proposed extension - drawing included

[Rollerbird]

Hi
Going to extend to have a large kitchen diner with bifold doors onto garden (which we are going to turn to a courtyard style)
One storey.
Unfortunately need a pillar in the extension area apparently
Current corridor kitchen will be Utility and side extension a 'workshop' area.
Can anybody chip in with ideas on improving current drawing?

I'd use the pillar in the middle of an island. There's loads of examples of that on Pinterest

Like these

Thats a good idea.
Will look into it
What jumps out at you that could make the current drawing better?
It's not final - need to feedback any changes we want to architect.

Are you sure you need a pillar? We found that a different structural engineer was happy to spec our beam without needing a pillar. Push back on the architect, see if they can change it.

He isnt said we might be able to not have a pillar but it would need to go to a structural engineer and be a lot more money due to long steel spans.
Current arrangement is picking up walls above.

Is that the final kitchen idea? Doesn't look like there is much kitchen given the size of the space, no work surface around the sink.
Is there another way to get to the downstairs w.c or only through the utility? Just thinking if you have guests, you have to make sure utility is tidy or they have to walk past it all to use the loo.

I'd get some quote for losing the pillar; yes it may be more money but how much more? It would give you more flexibility in the space if you didn't need it.

In the kitchen there doesn't look like enough worktop space, or cupboards for that matter. Not that you need those on the architect plans, but are you sure that you want the kitchen in that space? Or could you sort of blend the spaces somewhat with a run of units going through to the extension on the rhs, and then an island unit half and half, so that prep space stays in one area, serving then leads into the other area, and the entertaining further on.

I dont know exactly what i want!
The space marked kitchen has an aga on the right hand wall which is staying
Has yorkstone flags (Old).alcove to right of aga, Original built in cupboard full length to left where possible Sink is marked.
Wanted the new bit to be a living area onto the back and a bridge between cooking and relaxing. Where might i put a Sink and cupboards? I fancy a retro smeg fridge too.
Can anybody plan me where to put a cosy sitting area with a tv that can also be seen while cooking, and a sharing farmhouse style table to maybe bridge the areas?
Thinking able to sit at table and be part of either area.
Currently got cupboards in the 'utility' as that was my official kitchen (although the cooker (aga) was in the other room.

Architect has just made up furniture locations so ignore that.

Hope this makes sense!!

I've recently gone through this, and deciding exactly how you will use the space way before you start is crucial. (First fix electrics etc)
Could you have the sitting room/snug bit where the kitchen is and have the kitchen in the bit where the sofa is? Units could run along whole of wall on left and island could sit in middle?
I agree about getting rid of the post if possible. We spent extra on steels to get them put in higher. Worth every penny and we compromised on costs later in the project.

Not much to say about the layout, but can I recommend that you think about what kind of curtains/blinds/coverings you might want on your bi-fold doors BEFORE you build.
DH planned and supervised our extension and when it was built there were NO options for any kind of window coverings because the windows were virtually frameless and went virtually right up to the ceiling (so no room for blind mountings or curtain poles).

It's lovely to have big open window spaces in summer, but in winter you sometimes want to shut it out. Moreover, I HATE being in the kitchen with the lights on when it's dark, as I always feel there is someone in the garden looking in but I can't see them.

Could you have a sort of half width breakfast bar across the opening between the two rooms? It would give you more working space, and we find it's great to have a space where someone can pull up a bar stool and have a chat while the other is cooking?

Oh that's good re the pillar, honestly I'd really prioritise getting rid of it if you can. It'll make a huge difference to that space, it'll be so much easier to use. It's a bit difficult to tell without dimensions, but the pillar is pushing the table really close to the wall which looks a bit tight. Without it you can move the table over a bit and make a better dining area - possibly with a sideboard?

What is on the plans for the seating area? Where are you planning on putting the TV? If you can work that out you could maybe consider moving the door to the utility so it's just round the corner from where it is now. That way you free up the whole of that wall in the kitchen area for units, especially if you take the walls you are knocking down back a bit more than in the drawing so that they don't jut into the room a bit.

The only other bit that may need some thinking about is the arrangement through the utility to the downstairs toilet and the room beyond. It's quite a long corridor and doesn't necessarily flow that well.