To create the spectacular family room in the extension, the floor level in the rear part of the house was reduced by 1.4m. Due to planning restrictions, the maximum height on the side boundary to the left was 2m, which didn't give enough head room for any habitable space.

The existing ceiling height under the rear addition meant that the existing rear room was only 2.4m high. By lowering the floor the side area which became the dining area became useable. The main space has a spectacular 3.8m floor to ceiling height.

The existing ground level can be seen in the image looking back towards the front door. The external area outside the sliding doors was also lowered to provide a seamless transition between inside and out. The rearmost part of the garden is the natural ground level.

The view from the front door looking through the hallway to the main rear space gives immediate 'wow factor' from the front door.

The doors used were Sky Frame, which have extremely thin frames. The outer frames are recessed into the floor, jambs and head.

A full length clerestory window between the lower and upper 'boxes' brings south light into the space.