Thoughts on Julian the architects designs? (Past and Present)

I’m really curious as to what everyone’s opinions on Julian’s designs are, whether that’s on the renderings or floor plans that we have seen this season and past seasons?

One thing that always confused me is that he is an architect, not an interior designer and as an interior designer myself I feel like that really shows in the design of his interior spaces. I assumed that any weird designs were there for a reason to encourage contestants to redesign spaces, yet they are always met with push back from Julian if they question the designs. I think last season with Steph may have been one of the only times I can remember where he wasn’t butt hurt about changes, possibly from how she approached the conversation? He seems to be rather sensitive about his designs.

Each year there’s a confusing narrative on if contestants should or shouldn’t be changing interior designs. Personally, I think if each contestant kept the floor plan exactly how they are presented they shouldn’t cop any flack from the judges for layout, as they are just following plans. Obviously this season has already kicked off this drama, and personally after looking at the floor plan it was an odd original design but so was Paige’s proposed changes. There was a way to redesign the space to accomodate a master space upstairs while still having a master option downstairs. This would be good compromise and open up the buying pool depending on where the buyer finds themselves on the infamous 50/50 split (😉). But more of the floor plan would have to be reworked, I’d be happy to share a re-design of the plan is anyone was interested.

Anyway, what do you think? Are the initial designs presented practical/ functional, do you like the style of the renderings? Do you think it’s a way to manufacture drama? Do you think they should be able to see the plans and redesign with more time before starting the first week? Especially if the first week is a bathroom, a room that is really expensive to re-do if not specially planed well?