The Truth About Large Voids in Homes

Beautiful, Expensive, and (Sometimes) a Little Noisy

There’s something undeniably uplifting about standing in a space that soars above you. Double-height living rooms and mezzanine voids feature prominently in modern home design Melbourne-wide for good reason — they bring light, drama, and a sense of openness that photographs beautifully and feels even better in person.

But as any architect who’s lived with both a full-height void and a balcony-style mezzanine can tell you, beauty doesn’t always equal comfort. Large voids introduce challenges that affect the way a home feels, sounds, and performs — and they often cost far more than expected.

The appeal – why we love large voids

Voids connect spaces vertically, letting light travel deeper into the home and creating a sense of generosity that’s hard to achieve with standard ceiling heights. They make small footprints feel expansive, help frame feature windows, and allow the upstairs and downstairs to visually communicate.

They’re also an emotional statement — a reminder that a home can feel grand even without being large. For many families, the idea of hearing kids playing upstairs while cooking below or enjoying a clear line of sight across multiple levels is deeply appealing.

The reality – cost, comfort, and acoustics

Where voids truly test homeowners is in cost and comfort. The area you “skip” between floors doesn’t come for free. In reality, you should allow for the cost of a void as though it were a full extra storey.
If your home is budgeted at around $5,000 per square metre, multiply that by the floor area of the void — and then again for the room beneath. The structural engineering, insulation, and finishes required around the opening often add more.

Thermally, large volumes are difficult to heat or cool evenly. Warm air collects at the top of the void, leaving the living areas below cooler in winter and harder to regulate in summer. South of Sydney, homes should aim for at least an 8-star energy rating to counterbalance this effect.

Acoustically, sound moves freely between levels. Music, conversations, or even a kettle boiling can echo throughout the house. Soft furnishings, rugs, acoustic insulation, and wall-mounted acoustic art can all help, but design placement matters most — avoid locating noisy appliances or kitchens directly beneath a void.

We typically design doors at the top and bottom of stairwells to control heat and noise transfer. (Project: Bungalow Reborn, Whisker Architecture)

Project: Sassy Pesto, Whisker Architecture

Making a void work for you

Not all voids are created equal. Smaller voids, or those combined with mezzanine-style floors, tend to perform better acoustically and create a stronger sense of intimacy while still offering that visual drama.

Placement is crucial. Voids positioned to the north can flood a home with light and warmth in winter, while those to the west often need careful shading to prevent glare and heat gain.

It’s also important to plan for zoned heating and cooling. Because temperature can vary significantly between levels, mechanical systems should be able to operate independently.

And don’t forget practicalities — changing a pendant globe or cleaning high-level windows can become surprisingly complex if not planned for.

Other design considerations

• Fire and smoke separation – Large open volumes can complicate fire egress or smoke containment requirements.
• Acoustic privacy – Bedrooms or studies adjacent to the mezzanine edge will experience sound transfer; solid walls and acoustic underlays can help.
• HVAC and structure – Voids reduce ceiling area for duct runs and can require deeper beams or transfer structures, adding both cost and coordination.
• Natural light balance – High-level glazing looks stunning but can overheat or cause glare unless shaded and double-glazed.

When to rethink the void

For households with multiple people, especially those who value quiet and privacy, a void may not be the right fit. Similarly, families in cooler climates may find that the energy costs and comfort compromises outweigh the aesthetic gain.

There are alternative ways to achieve spaciousness: consider raked ceilings, partial mezzanines, or a lightwell over a stair. These solutions still bring light and volume without the performance penalties.

Project: Beaconsfield Hillside Home, Whisker Architecture

Designing for connection and comfort

Voids and mezzanines can be breathtaking features — but only when they’re integrated thoughtfully within the broader design strategy. They demand equal attention to acoustics, thermal comfort, and day-to-day livability as they do to style.

If you’re considering a void in your renovation or new build, it’s worth understanding what it will mean for your home’s performance, comfort, and cost.

Book a Free 20-min Clarity Call with Audrey through the website today to discuss how to achieve connection, light, and atmosphere in a way that works beautifully in your own home.