I'm getting ready to purchase an Aquatica Purescape tub. They have plenty of styles. aquaticausa.com/

There are plenty of lovely examples of wall-mounted faucets with free-standing tubs. Perhaps the one posted is not the best example. Most tub fillers used for free-standing tubs have the option to purchase accompanying hardware for floor, deck, or wall mount. The wall mount hardware may have the option of purchasing an extender to stand out from the wall a couple more inches. How quickly a faucet fills a tub is based on the gallons per minute (GPM) of the particular faucet. An example is the Rohl tub filler I bought to go with my clawfoot tub, which has the option of floor, deck, or wall mount. Mine will be wall mounted with an extender because I prefer the cleaner look of plumbing in the wall. My tub will be only a bit closer to the wall than with a floor mount, plus it saves about $1K by not buying a floor mount. A regular quick swiffering between the wall and the tub should keep the area clean enough with the very occasional deeper cleaning (no kids or pets will be using the tub). If you find something you like, be sure to ask your contractor or plumber if it will work with your particular tub. Reach is definitely an issue to double check. Good luck!

We got a very good deal on a Victoria and Albert tub, but we had also been looking at "vintage tub" and they had some ones that looked nice. We had bought a Pfister faucet to go with it, but it was too low for our tub when they went to install it. Then we were stuck with having to get a faucet which had the same center distance on the pipes and there weren't a ton with the 7" centers so ordered the victoria and albert faucet but it was almost too high above the tub and so so expensive. In the end we got one I really like from vintage tub and looks wise the polished nickel finish and the porcelain on the handle as well as the feel/weight etc. looks just as good quality for 1/5 the price of the V&A one. Haven't really used it yet as it just went in on Friday so can't speak for long term use.

Being able to sit on the ledge, swing your legs around and then get in is a huge plus - as is the ability to have a towel, candle, adult beverage, book, phone, etc. nearby and not have to use a tray or the like. Also - not crawling around the back of anything is more practical. I see absolutely nothing wrong with your installation preference. Your architect / designer pushing you to a "style" that doens't meet your needs isn't cool. Unless you were building a spec house - your personal preferences need to be incorporated and expanded upon for a god outcome FOR YOU!