I'm just a fellow homeowner, not an HVAC expert.

Running HVAC ducting through interior conditioned spaces (instead of outside walls) is viewed as a best practice, it minimizes the loss of conditioned air temperatures and leakage to the outside. The architect needs to design in duct runs, perhaps some drop ceiling and soffits, and vertical chases for the ducting up from and back to the basement.

With two story houses, the best approach is a separate system for each floor. The basement can "borrow" from the first floor. That gives the best temperature control flexibility and long term is a more reliable approach than zoning one larger system.

From experience, all that "open to below/open to above" space between the first and second floors will cause temperature imbalances between the two levels that will be hard to deal with in both heating and cooling seasons. Ceiling fans in the great room will help but I think you're still going to find it problematic.

Layout wise, one bathroom upstairs for three bedrooms may not be enough. Additionally, the small "open to below" space right above the front door may look awkward and will communicate all front door noise to the bedrooms above. You might want to consider closing that in and making it a small bathroom between the two bedrooms.

Good luck!

Funny you should mention the two story foyer. In the previous revision that was a jack n jill bath between the two bedrooms. I opted for the one bigger bath instead. I plan on putting a ceiling fan in the greatroom as well as in the loft. I am hoping for heat I am hoping I can circulate and pull heat up the stairwell. The quadrafire does has the option of heat zones and pulling air for combustion from outside or remotely inside with the slide of a knob. I was thinking about pulling not only outside air but also from the basement in thinking it would help circulate air by equalizing the pressure.

Thank you for the suggestions.

You want to get combustion air for the fireplace insert from outside, not from the basement. Same is true for your furnaces, Using indoor air will cause negative pressure and will suck in air from the outside. Or, will starve combustion and potentially lead to other problems. In your area, you probably want to have some kind of heat recovery ventilation unit on your Hvac system also.

I'd have to think that all of the above is standard practice in your area.

I agree with SnidelyWhiplash: any ductwork should be run in the conditioned space, all combustion air should come from outside, there should be separate systems per floor, and as with all tight construction, fresh air needs to be taken into account.

As for system type: If it's in the budget, I would love to see some form of radiant heat installed. Radiant floors being the most expensive, but there are other less expensive options. I firmly believe it is the most comfortable way to heat. If you get central A/C, it would have its own ductwork. This would be the ultimate option.

If you go with forced air, I would want a 90%+ efficient furnace with a variable speed blower. 2 stages at minimum, modulating for even better comfort. For A/C, just a basic 13 or 14 SEER system makes the most economic sense in the long term for a Northern climate.