The site of this villa drops away steeply from the road, across the surface of an old lava flow. With the living area of the extension set more than one level below the original floor level, a compact atrium was created to connect the upper bedroom wing to the family room below, and provide visual continuity from the entrance hall out to the western distance: across Eden Park to the Waitakere Ranges. A folded timber frame at the deck creates a contemporary verandah space area between house and garden