AGORA's brief for this project was to create additional space, and to make the most of the panoramic sea view. The house is a traditional stone terrace, which sits in a dramatic position, overlooking the sea at Joppa, Edinburgh. However, the kitchen at the rear of the house did not take full advantage of the view, and the clients needed extra space for both relaxing and working. Our solution is a modestly proportioned zinc clad extension, which opens up the back of the house to frame the sea view. The floor level steps down from the main house to create high ceilings and to allow level access to the garden. The opening between the kitchen and extension has been increased by removing a boiler cupboard, which opens up views from front to back through the house. A new boiler and laundry room is incorporated discreetly, accessed through a frameless door. The steps down to the extension are designed to incorporate informal seating and bookshelves, and the linear rooflight above floods both the extension and the kitchen with natural light. To make the most of the small space, we designed a built-in desk and shelving to provide a compact space for both home working and schoolwork. The durable standing seam zinc cladding and roofing will weather to a matt grey, while the Siberian larch clad recess provides shelter from the high winds. Panoramic bi-fold doors allow the clients to enjoy the coastal views from the warmth on a Scottish winters day, or to open them up to allow the sound of the waves into the house. Paddleboards and kayaks can be easily carried straight out to the back garden, where steps give direct access to the sea at high tide.