ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Wooden Classicism Nesbitt House – Seaside, Florida Architect: Robert A. M. Stern Builder: O.B. Laurent Construction E. F. San Juan produced all of the interior and exterior millwork for this elegantly designed residence in the influential New Urban town of Seaside, Florida. Challenges: The beachfront residence required adherence to the area’s strict building code requirements, creating a unique profile for the compact layout of each room. Each room was also designed with all-wood walls and ceilings, which meant there was a lot of custom millwork! Solution: Unlike many homes where the same molding and paneling profiles are repeated throughout each room, this home featured a unique profile for each space. The effort was laborious—our team at E. F. San Juan created tools for each of these specific jobs. “The project required over four hundred man-hours of knife-grinding just to produce the tools,” says Edward San Juan. “Organization and scheduling were critical in this project because so many parts were required to complete each room.” The long hours and hard work allowed us to take the compacted plan and create the feel of an open, airy American beach house with the influence of 1930s Swedish classicism. The ceiling and walls in each room are paneled, giving them an elongated look to open up the space. The enticing, simplified wooden classicism style seamlessly complements the sweeping vistas and surrounding natural beauty along the Gulf of Mexico. --- Photography by Steven Mangum – STM Photography

Home office with slatted accent wall and light pouring in.
Study room - coastal freestanding desk light wood floor and beige floor study room idea in Miami with white walls

Hillcrest Construction designed and executed a complete facelift for these West Chester clients’ master bathroom. The sink/toilet/shower layout stayed relatively unchanged due to the limitations of the small space, but major changes were slated for the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom was gutted completely, the wiring was updated, and minor plumbing alterations were completed for code compliance. Bathroom waterproofing was installed utilizing the state-of-the-industry Schluter substrate products, and the feature wall of the shower is tiled with a striking blue 12x12 tile set in a stacked pattern, which is a departure of color and layout from the staggered gray-tome wall tile and floor tile. The original bathroom lacked storage, and what little storage it had lacked practicality. The original 1’ wide by 4’ deep “reach-in closet” was abandoned and replaced with a custom cabinetry unit that featured six 30” drawers to hold a world of personal bathroom items which could pulled out for easy access. The upper cubbie was shallower at 13” and was sized right to hold a few spare towels without the towels being lost to an unreachable area. The custom furniture-style vanity, also built and finished at the Hillcrest custom shop facilitated a clutter-free countertop with its two deep drawers, one with a u-shaped cut out for the sink plumbing. Considering the relatively small size of the bathroom, and the vanity’s proximity to the toilet, the drawer design allows for greater access to the storage area as compared to a vanity door design that would only be accessed from the front. The custom niche in the shower serves and a consolidated home for soap, shampoo bottles, and all other shower accessories. Moen fixtures at the sink and in the shower and a Toto toilet complete the contemporary feel. The controls at the shower allow the user to easily switch between the fixed rain head, the hand shower, or both. And for a finishing touch, the client chose between a number for shower grate color and design options to complete their tailor-made sanctuary.

This project involved finishing a basement space to create a clean, functional, and comfortable living area. The scope of work included installation of insulation to reduce sound transfer between floors, new drywall installation, recessed lighting, and electrical upgrades with new wiring connected to the main panel. An egress window was installed to meet safety requirements and provide emergency exit access. The installation included cutting the foundation wall, installing the window well, gravel drainage system, and ensuring code compliance. Existing tile flooring was maintained, while walls and ceilings were repaired, textured, and painted. Select areas were finished with decorative stucco to highlight the original brick for a unique design feature. Plumbing lines were adjusted as needed to allow proper drywall installation on the ceiling. The final result is a bright and functional basement space suitable for comfortable daily use.

The entry from the garage is not always the showstopper space to remodel, but it made sense to improve upon these areas while we were upgrading the nearby kitchen, powder bathroom and dog room. Built-in cabinetry replaced a catch-all business center, providing organization and hiding away any clutter. At the top were glass cabinets highlighting pieces collected from their travels. The entry closet was located just upon entry from the garage, but could be a challenge to get full use of it given the garage entry door and closet door were right next to each other. Beautiful new doors with special European hinges now allow the couple to access the full closet space since the doors can be opened to 90 degrees and slide inward on each side. Small design changes like these can have a huge impact on daily use, and this was one of those locations where quality design really made a difference.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Dane Cronin
Living room - 1950s living room idea in Denver

We completely gutted and renovated this historic DC rowhouse and added a rear addition and a roof deck, accessed by stairs to an enclosed structure. The client wanted to maintain a formal, traditional feel at the front of the house and add bolder and contemporary design at the back. We removed the existing partial rear addition, landings, walkways, and retaining walls. The new 3-story rear addition is across the entire width of the house, extending out 24-feet. Our original front entry design did not have a planter. However, the HPRB insisted on a planting area to maintain that original element of the house. The charcoal gray color at the trim and the front door had to be approved by HPRB. HPRB also had to review and approve our new code-compliant steps and railings to the front door.

Dan Farmer
Example of a classic home design design in Seattle

Wing Wong, Memories TTL
Small transitional white tile marble floor bathroom photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

We completely gutted and renovated this historic DC rowhouse and added a rear addition and a roof deck, accessed by stairs to an enclosed structure. The client wanted to maintain a formal, traditional feel at the front of the house and add bolder and contemporary design at the back. We removed the existing partial rear addition, landings, walkways, and retaining walls. The new 3-story rear addition is across the entire width of the house, extending out 24-feet. Our original front entry design did not have a planter. However, the HPRB insisted on a planting area to maintain that original element of the house. The charcoal gray color at the trim and the front door had to be approved by HPRB. HPRB also had to review and approve our new code-compliant steps and railings to the front door.

This 1914 family farmhouse was passed down from the original owners to their grandson and his young family. The original goal was to restore the old home to its former glory. However, when we started planning the remodel, we discovered the foundation needed to be replaced, the roof framing didn’t meet code, all the electrical, plumbing and mechanical would have to be removed, siding replaced, and much more. We quickly realized that instead of restoring the home, it would be more cost effective to deconstruct the home, recycle the materials, and build a replica of the old house using as much of the salvaged materials as we could. The design of the new construction is greatly influenced by the old home with traditional craftsman design interiors. We worked with a deconstruction specialist to salvage the old-growth timber and reused or re-purposed many of the original materials. We moved the house back on the property, connecting it to the existing garage, and lowered the elevation of the home which made it more accessible to the existing grades. The new home includes 5-panel doors, columned archways, tall baseboards, reused wood for architectural highlights in the kitchen, a food-preservation room, exercise room, playful wallpaper in the guest bath and fun era-specific fixtures throughout.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

The upper floor renovation required careful planning within the existing building envelope. The original roof structure created low, sloping side walls and limited ceiling heights, requiring creative solutions to maximize usable space while providing comfortable access and appropriate headroom throughout the living areas. The design also had to navigate code requirements for minimum ceiling heights in dwelling spaces, while accommodating the insulation requirements of the newly vaulted roof. The resulting approach carefully balances spatial efficiency, structural constraints, natural light, and energy performance—transforming a challenging existing upper floor into a functional and comfortable living space without expanding the home’s footprint. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design + Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Builder: Crescent Builds + Photography: Rafael Soldi Photography

The upper floor renovation required careful planning within the existing building envelope. The original roof structure created low, sloping side walls and limited ceiling heights, requiring creative solutions to maximize usable space while providing comfortable access and appropriate headroom throughout the living areas. The design also had to navigate code requirements for minimum ceiling heights in dwelling spaces, while accommodating the insulation requirements of the newly vaulted roof. The resulting approach carefully balances spatial efficiency, structural constraints, natural light, and energy performance—transforming a challenging existing upper floor into a functional and comfortable living space without expanding the home’s footprint. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design + Interior Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Builder: Crescent Builds + Photography: Rafael Soldi Photography

We completely gutted and renovated this historic DC rowhouse and added a rear addition and a roof deck, accessed by stairs to an enclosed structure. The client wanted to maintain a formal, traditional feel at the front of the house and add bolder and contemporary design at the back. We removed the existing partial rear addition, landings, walkways, and retaining walls. The new 3-story rear addition is across the entire width of the house, extending out 24-feet. Our original front entry design did not have a planter. However, the HPRB insisted on a planting area to maintain that original element of the house. The charcoal gray color at the trim and the front door had to be approved by HPRB. HPRB also had to review and approve our new code-compliant steps and railings to the front door.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.

This remodel addressed issues including peeling vinyl flooring, outdated fixtures, and safety hazards due to deferred maintenance. Challenges included: sourcing budget-sensitive materials with a high-end feel; slip-resistant hexagon floor tiles; a new pedestal sink; a water-saving toilet; and a larger medicine cabinet, while correcting code violations. Universal Design created an open floor plan, low-maintenance finishes, zero-threshold entries into the bathroom and shower, in addition to highly-contrasting materials, grab bars with blocking, accessible towel bars for user convenience, and dimmable lighting with anti-glare trim. We combined modern materials for a noir style and universal functionality for our aging-in-place clients and their forever home.