Adding usable square footage to dark, awkward and under utilized area is an opportunity drastically raise the quality of living space. The additional challenge here was to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the house yet retain the existing envelope of the dwelling and not remove structural support for the second story above.

The choice to use deep window frames was made to help reflect the light from the outside.

Visual openness at the lower level and solidity above makes the upper volume appear to fly.