"An interesting feature of the house is the library, which occupies the space surrounding the staircase. ""As my parents are of a certain age, it probably would have been better to make the house just one level,"" architect Paul Cremoux says. But because of the land-usage law, a two-level structure was the only way to create the room his parents needed as well as accommodate his dad's sizable collection of books. ""It was obvious the stairwell would be best suited for the books because of its double height,"" Paul explains. ""Everyone always asks how it's possible we have only 170 meters,"" Nina says of reactions to the 1,775-square-foot residence. ""Really, it's just the staircase, the open kitchen space, and the height of the ceilings that add up to make it feel huge."""
{}