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The bedroom displays more existing wood ceiling beams and a storage loft above the bathroom.

“My favourite part of the home is the way the central joinery unit balances the space and the normal ceiling with the double height void,” says architect Jeffrey Bokey-Grant. “Coming down the stairs is also a nice moment.” The exposed ceiling joists conceal the lighting and help to define various zones in the open-plan space.

City House by SMS Arquitectos features a second-floor townhouse extension that explores new possibilities with plywood.

The staircase was moved to the other side of the room and is now a sculptural focal point, thanks to a striking material change from wood to concrete.

The master bedroom features a closet in the corridor to use less space. Sight lines lead to the forest from nearly every space.

Get the whole family involved in the kitchen, whether it be teaching young ones a tried-and-true recipe or exploring a new dish together.

Le Sanctuaire outdoor shower

An open-air shower is the perfect wash station after outdoor recreation at the lake.

The outdoor shower is in constant use and was a request from the clients. It’s accessed through the indoor shower.

Color-blocked custom cabinets make for a delightful surprise.

Almost every room in the extension has direct access to the outside so the relationship with the grounds is immediate. In addition, carefully considered windows frame views of the surrounding landscape—especially the large window facing the valley in the first-floor living space. “It’s incredibly joyful to see how the views, smells, and emotion of being in the extension changes throughout the different seasons,” says architect Je Ahn. “It’s very tranquil and a retreat in the true sense of the word.”

Smith knew he wanted to use plywood for the interior walls. "Plywood can look fantastic,

A curving skylight illuminates the minimalist kitchen of a dwelling in Bondi Beach, Australia, that was renovated by Andrew Burges Architects.