Here’s a quick exercise on how to generate the impression of having breadth and height within a very small house footprint. I’m always a fan of high-ceiling living rooms because of the amount of daylight and natural air that such a volume they can bring in. And aside from indoor air circulation through stacking, I think it adds a bit of positivism to the family psychology as well, where users who can readily call anyone from any floor level, integrating ground and second floor through hearing and sight. That makes daily living a three dimensional emotional experience for everyone inside.

This house got lucky with a good lot orientation. The sun actually rises up on the corner side of the living room and sets to the back of the firewall late in the afternoon. Very little issue about glare and heat gain, a lot of opportunity for filtered light and ventilation.