If you were to appoint me as your architect, this is what I’d do (sounds a bit like a blind date question):
I’d take everything into account, from what you’re looking for, the site, any existing stuff, the sun, the wind, the earth, the moon and the stars (well, maybe not the last two but I’d give it a good try)
I then try and think, If your house was my house, what would I do that would be the very best possible solution
Oh yeah, and I'll also build a model...
And I'll be showing 3D images of inside & outside