Designing my own house…

Find the money for a good architect . It’s the worst place to seek to economise . Do without some finishes , which can be installed later when you can afford it – but get the architecure right . I too am a technican ( exp 22 years ) – I would not design my own house

Ching Fk

you’re an arch tech – surely you could do a trade of time with an architect you know…
get his assistance and promise to do some work for him

‘A Pattern Language’ should prove useful.

christover Alexander is author of a pattern language
‘A timeless way of building’ is also worth getting.

You dont need to be an architect to design a good building, but they are very good at churning out low quality developer led schemes and then slapping themselves on the back at award ceremonies for the 1 percent of construction output that has high architectural quality. But when they’re good there very very good. The difference between pattern book and architect designed is like comparing a shell suit to a tailored suit. Would suggest dominic stevens and his books.

Design your building to be low energy and use natural materials sourced locally and use the expertise of skilled workmen and your half way there, Get some architects to give your design drawings or model ( essential to see how it works with sunlight) a good crit.

Its a pity that architectural technology as an education did not allow its students to continue in education, They would have been well suited to research building science and become experts in energy performance in preperation for the current changes in our way at looking at how we build. Poor arch techs ended up as Project managers implimenting projects on site or Cad monkeys back in the office when they had the intellect to have a more creative involvement in the design process , not just an architects technician as my mother oft referred to my career.
First make a large foamboard model of the house and site, one you have a reasonably viable design, then keep choppin and changing untill it is right, dont be too precious as to dump the design and start again.
Second Use BER software as a design tool
Third, Talk to the experts, see construct ireland forum

I don’t know if this is too late, but there is an architect called Eva Byrne that specialises in one off consultations in house design. She basically sits in your living room with you and will give you design ideas and advice. Google her name and you’ll find her website – she also charges an hourly rate. It’s a great service for someone who needs design help but doesn’t want to pay full architects fees.