Hi Big Bear,
Your only email reply didn't exactly answer my questions and I'v sent you more emails after that.
Did you receive them? or i might have missed your replies.
Would really love to have your quotation and help to do the template customization. I'v simplified the project to make it easier (i hope)
pls see below illustration.
with reference to an online tutorial on Joomla template layout
www.siteground.com/tutorials/joomla15/
joomla_layout.htm
here's the points
1. Position 1 removed completely
2. Position 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 can be hidden away. by default, if they are not utilized, they will not appear to mess up or clutter the layout.
3. Position 2 (which is "user 3" position by default) shifted to top right hand corner
4. Position 8 reserved for showing the image/photo really big.