Planning: Interior window and dining room extension

Here's another image from the same project that we discussed yesterday.

[Suanna Cots via freshome]

I usually think windows on the interior of a house are kind of strange, but this one suits the space perfectly.  A few thoughts about placing a window between the kitchen and dining room:

1. This space seems pretty deep, and the window brings natural light to the kitchen.
2. It would keep cooking smells/noise contained.
3. It's a good compromise between an open-plan living space and a more traditional layout.
4. The kitchen would have to be kept tidy since diners are basically staring at it during meals.
5. A big window like this sacrifices the upper cabinets that could have been hung from that wall.
6. In a dream world with an unlimited budget, the window could be made of high-tech glass that could turn opaque, show a projection, or even be interactive.  (Hey, we're dreaming anyway, right?)

From a planning point of view, I thought the most interesting thing about this layout is that it could be applied to houses that are in need of a expansion.  Like so:

[The existing section]

[The house with an addition]