Braden's ideas
slightly lower level roof defines hallway without removing space
Stone below-ground with wood above ground
Wide ass fireplace is cool
Roof
Set back second floor allows giant windows.
Roof floor divide agreeing strongly divides space.
Cover that goes up the wall onto the ceiling could be like a tree that covers the space.
Different Floor/ceiling divide the space
secondary chill area right in front of the door is not so bad. Also, it means that the kitchen can be at the same level.
The flow. Imagine the stair cases going around the outside of the house - continuous, all the way from the walk-out basement to the top floor. The staircases are the walls. The house does not go _to_ the walls, so much as it naturally stops at the staircases.
Hallway offices could be a cool thing, if it's a lowish traffic hallway. Also, that's a cool desk. It's a big rectangle and it also a wall and a ceiling.
Space above a double height room could be extra short space and still look kinda normal. Also, it could be separated from the main second story. Or act as a link!
Lighting in the hallway makes a sharp turn less jarring. It leads you into the next space, without showing the next space at all.
That nook though.
Indoor/outdoor space achieved with floor-to-ceiling windows in different directions.
Q