Sometimes the article precedes the noun and not the adjective

I have a question that baffled me for a while now, and I'd be a happier person for an answer.
Why in sentences such as

It's not that big a deal.

And

He was as nice a friend as you were.

Or

Your awesome of a father, told me that.

does the article position itself between the adjective and the noun instead of the usual start of the phrase:

I have a big house to play in.

Much obliged.