A few things happening here: the porch is raised up to the door threshold, the porch has expanded outward in two directions so to allow both more legroom and movement, in addition to a barrier-free wheelchair space should it become necessary for the elderly couple to use such. And although the unique, original guardrail is not up to modern building standards, because a planter has raised the ground upward, there is no need for the railing at all. However, it can be used for decoration--which is one way of re-using original features that are no longer code compliant.

Andrew Sariti The original stairs to the attic master suite were tight and not code compliant. We provided a more comfortable access to the master suite by widening the stairs. They are also more open and integrated into the living space. The original kitchen window is on the far wall. In the kitchen, two types of slab front cabinet doors add interest to the room. One is a dark Wenge wood. As a contrast, the other is a sleek glossy white finish. The white cabinets have subtle thin Ikea pulls.

Spiral Stair Kit - Traditional style, 5'-1" diameter, code compliant, Southern Yellow Pine gives access from second to third floor lofts.
Staircase - wooden spiral staircase idea with wooden risers

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

The owners of this Washington, D.C. row house wanted an outdoor area where they could entertain and enjoy views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. Our design team worked closely with the clients to help them maximize the usable deck space on the roof and create the relaxing vibe they wanted. As the deck is on a historic row house, we had to work with the Historic Review Board to make sure the design met their requirements. We constructed the supports for the new deck, walls, and provided comfortable access through a structure with a full size door. Historic Review. Since the roof deck is on a house in the historic district, the city’s historic review board had to approve the design. Any roof structure could not be visible from the street. The roof pitch of the L-shaped structure at the front of the house is located along the sight lines of the building, so you can’t see it from the street. For the review, we actually framed a mock-up out of the structure and then checked if it was visible from the street. The shape and size of the access structure on the roof was dictated by both the historic rules listed above and structural/code issues. Structural Review/Code. Our designer used every square foot available based on set back and historic requirements. This included creating a two-level deck with steps in between. The roof deck is actually treated as a penthouse, so it has to be set back a certain distance. Structurally, each of side party walls is a bearing wall. The structural beams are excluded as a part of the “structure” and are not included in the setback space. The horizontal setback had to equal the height of the floor above the existing structure. With a pitched roof, that ends up being at 2 levels. The step is as much zoning issue as it is an aesthetic one. HDBros

Airport codes are among the most concise and recognisable symbols of international travel. Created to identify destinations with precision, three-letter combinations such as FRA, JFK and SYD have acquired a meaning that extends far beyond logistics. They can evoke the memory of an arrival, the feeling of returning home or the anticipation of a journey still to come. The Skypak Airline Trolley – Airport Codes Edition translates this universal visual language into a distinctive piece of contemporary furniture. Airport codes in a dot-matrix-inspired typeface extend across the door and side panels, giving the characteristic trolley silhouette a graphic identity connected to destinations around the world. Constructed from aluminium and stainless steel, the full-size trolley measures approximately 103 centimetres high, 30 centimetres wide and 40 centimetres deep. Its compact proportions preserve valuable floor space, while integrated wheels allow it to be moved easily between different areas. The interior can be individually configured with drawers, shelves and storage elements. In the contemporary home office shown here, dark wooden drawers introduce warmth and material contrast, while the open lower shelves provide accessible storage for books, devices and everyday work essentials. Positioned beside the desk, the trolley functions as a mobile storage cabinet without visually overwhelming the room. Its flexibility also allows the Airport Codes Edition to take on different roles in other interiors. It can serve as an exclusive minibar in a private residence, a mobile bar in a lounge, a coffee station in an office or a compact service and storage unit in a hotel suite. This versatility reflects Skypak’s approach to functional design: creating furniture that combines mobility, technical clarity and a strong visual narrative. For architects and interior designers, the trolley offers a characterful focal point that can be integrated into residential, hospitality and executive environments. More than a practical storage solution, the Airline Trolley – Airport Codes Edition expresses an enduring fascination with aviation and the personal stories associated with destinations around the world. (AI-assisted visualalisation of a real product.)

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

New larger granite patio connecting to multiple access doors to home allows for lounging, dining, outdoor kitchen and connects to new pool. Modern touches with gravel patio joints, plantings along edge of patio, retaining walls and pool perimeter provide softening of the hardscape. Wetland permitting and enhancement plantings were required since within the wetland upland review area. Pool code compliant fencing surrounds the entire back yard space.

The owners of this Washington, D.C. row house wanted an outdoor area where they could entertain and enjoy views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. Our design team worked closely with the clients to help them maximize the usable deck space on the roof and create the relaxing vibe they wanted. As the deck is on a historic row house, we had to work with the Historic Review Board to make sure the design met their requirements. We constructed the supports for the new deck, walls, and provided comfortable access through a structure with a full size door. Historic Review. Since the roof deck is on a house in the historic district, the city’s historic review board had to approve the design. Any roof structure could not be visible from the street. The roof pitch of the L-shaped structure at the front of the house is located along the sight lines of the building, so you can’t see it from the street. For the review, we actually framed a mock-up out of the structure and then checked if it was visible from the street. The shape and size of the access structure on the roof was dictated by both the historic rules listed above and structural/code issues. Structural Review/Code. Our designer used every square foot available based on set back and historic requirements. This included creating a two-level deck with steps in between. The roof deck is actually treated as a penthouse, so it has to be set back a certain distance. Structurally, each of side party walls is a bearing wall. The structural beams are excluded as a part of the “structure” and are not included in the setback space. The horizontal setback had to equal the height of the floor above the existing structure. With a pitched roof, that ends up being at 2 levels. The step is as much zoning issue as it is an aesthetic one. HDBros

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photography by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The owners of this Washington, D.C. row house wanted an outdoor area where they could entertain and enjoy views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. Our design team worked closely with the clients to help them maximize the usable deck space on the roof and create the relaxing vibe they wanted. As the deck is on a historic row house, we had to work with the Historic Review Board to make sure the design met their requirements. We constructed the supports for the new deck, walls, and provided comfortable access through a structure with a full size door. Historic Review. Since the roof deck is on a house in the historic district, the city’s historic review board had to approve the design. Any roof structure could not be visible from the street. The roof pitch of the L-shaped structure at the front of the house is located along the sight lines of the building, so you can’t see it from the street. For the review, we actually framed a mock-up out of the structure and then checked if it was visible from the street. The shape and size of the access structure on the roof was dictated by both the historic rules listed above and structural/code issues. Structural Review/Code. Our designer used every square foot available based on set back and historic requirements. This included creating a two-level deck with steps in between. The roof deck is actually treated as a penthouse, so it has to be set back a certain distance. Structurally, each of side party walls is a bearing wall. The structural beams are excluded as a part of the “structure” and are not included in the setback space. The horizontal setback had to equal the height of the floor above the existing structure. With a pitched roof, that ends up being at 2 levels. The step is as much zoning issue as it is an aesthetic one. HDBros

The owners of this Washington, D.C. row house wanted an outdoor area where they could entertain and enjoy views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. Our design team worked closely with the clients to help them maximize the usable deck space on the roof and create the relaxing vibe they wanted. As the deck is on a historic row house, we had to work with the Historic Review Board to make sure the design met their requirements. We constructed the supports for the new deck, walls, and provided comfortable access through a structure with a full size door. Historic Review. Since the roof deck is on a house in the historic district, the city’s historic review board had to approve the design. Any roof structure could not be visible from the street. The roof pitch of the L-shaped structure at the front of the house is located along the sight lines of the building, so you can’t see it from the street. For the review, we actually framed a mock-up out of the structure and then checked if it was visible from the street. The shape and size of the access structure on the roof was dictated by both the historic rules listed above and structural/code issues. Structural Review/Code. Our designer used every square foot available based on set back and historic requirements. This included creating a two-level deck with steps in between. The roof deck is actually treated as a penthouse, so it has to be set back a certain distance. Structurally, each of side party walls is a bearing wall. The structural beams are excluded as a part of the “structure” and are not included in the setback space. The horizontal setback had to equal the height of the floor above the existing structure. With a pitched roof, that ends up being at 2 levels. The step is as much zoning issue as it is an aesthetic one. HDBros

Hammer & Hand and architect Mitch Snyder transformed a hot, cramped, non-code-compliant attic space into a bright and functional master suite. The existing upstairs attic space had two small and hard-to-access bedrooms and a dangerous staircase. The team added a new dormer on the west side of the house which added an additional 195 square feet to the home. The new space includes a master bedroom, master bathroom with vanity and shower, separate water closet, laundry, walk-in master closet, and option to add a small bedroom (the space is currently being used as an open office area). Additional improvements to the home include an upgraded building envelope, insulation, high efficiency water heater, and minisplit heat pump. Photos by Mitchell Snyder Architecture.