Having spent many years living in Europe, I think the “European laundry” is a great idea. I’ve also seen them used in a number of new Qld apartments and project homes. I think most people would prefer an additional bathroom rather than a large laundry. If you were renovating an apartment or very small house then I’d endorse making the laundry as compact as you wish. However, as your project is a 4-bed house, then I would suggest that you consider the following:

– Put as close as possible to the kitchen
– Provide a universal dryer outlet (i.e. exhaust pipe to outside wall)
– Ensure that the lid of a top loading washing machine can be opened fully and not obstructed by a cabinet or dryer
– Provide bench space, storage shelves, under-bench space for baskets
– Include at least a small tub with a mixer tap

Good luck!