Step into this beautifully transformed bathroom, a serene blue and bold sanctuary nestled within a distinguished South Pasadena home. This space artfully marries modern indulgence with historical charm. The first thing that captivates your attention is the gleaming brass fixtures from Brizo. These fixtures aren’t merely functional; they’re bold statement pieces that inject a layer of refined elegance. The brass showerhead, sink faucet, and bathtub faucet radiate against the calm backdrop. Next to these radiant fixtures, you’ll find cabinets bathed in a soothing shade of sky blue. This tranquil hue instills a sense of serenity, transforming the bathroom into a peaceful oasis. This is the perfect place to start and end your day in the city of South Pasadena. Contrasting the contemporary fixtures and cabinetry, the walls display traditional Tongue and Groove paneling. This classic design detail pays homage to the home’s rich history. When paired with the sky-blue cabinets, it ushers in a coastal, airy vibe. As you venture further into the space, your gaze naturally falls onto the floor. Here, a striking chevron pattern captures the eye. The rhythmic alternation of tile shades creates a dynamic visual journey across the room. The shower and the bathtub are enveloped in immaculate white quartz slabs. The subtle grey veins throughout the quartz radiate a spa-like ambiance. These serene elements, along with the white quartz, brass fixtures, sky-blue cabinets, and dynamic chevron tile flooring, harmonize perfectly. Illuminating this exquisite ensemble is the soft, warm glow of strategically placed LED recessed lighting. These modern lights enhance every design detail, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The LEDs highlight the textures and colors in the room, providing efficient and adjustable light. Finally, in acknowledgment of the house’s historical lineage, the bathroom window has been custom-crafted. These windows invite an abundance of natural light, offering glimpses of the charming South Pasadena neighborhood. They fill the room with warmth, paying homage to the history and character of the city. In summary, this ‘blue and bold’ bathroom stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of modern elements with historical charm. It showcases visually stunning aesthetics combined with practical functionality. Truly embodying the spirit of the city of South Pasadena.

Minimalist dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco

Step into this beautifully transformed bathroom, a serene blue and bold sanctuary nestled within a distinguished South Pasadena home. This space artfully marries modern indulgence with historical charm. The first thing that captivates your attention is the gleaming brass fixtures from Brizo. These fixtures aren’t merely functional; they’re bold statement pieces that inject a layer of refined elegance. The brass showerhead, sink faucet, and bathtub faucet radiate against the calm backdrop. Next to these radiant fixtures, you’ll find cabinets bathed in a soothing shade of sky blue. This tranquil hue instills a sense of serenity, transforming the bathroom into a peaceful oasis. This is the perfect place to start and end your day in the city of South Pasadena. Contrasting the contemporary fixtures and cabinetry, the walls display traditional Tongue and Groove paneling. This classic design detail pays homage to the home’s rich history. When paired with the sky-blue cabinets, it ushers in a coastal, airy vibe. As you venture further into the space, your gaze naturally falls onto the floor. Here, a striking chevron pattern captures the eye. The rhythmic alternation of tile shades creates a dynamic visual journey across the room. The shower and the bathtub are enveloped in immaculate white quartz slabs. The subtle grey veins throughout the quartz radiate a spa-like ambiance. These serene elements, along with the white quartz, brass fixtures, sky-blue cabinets, and dynamic chevron tile flooring, harmonize perfectly. Illuminating this exquisite ensemble is the soft, warm glow of strategically placed LED recessed lighting. These modern lights enhance every design detail, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The LEDs highlight the textures and colors in the room, providing efficient and adjustable light. Finally, in acknowledgment of the house’s historical lineage, the bathroom window has been custom-crafted. These windows invite an abundance of natural light, offering glimpses of the charming South Pasadena neighborhood. They fill the room with warmth, paying homage to the history and character of the city. In summary, this ‘blue and bold’ bathroom stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of modern elements with historical charm. It showcases visually stunning aesthetics combined with practical functionality. Truly embodying the spirit of the city of South Pasadena.

Step into this beautifully transformed bathroom, a serene blue and bold sanctuary nestled within a distinguished South Pasadena home. This space artfully marries modern indulgence with historical charm. The first thing that captivates your attention is the gleaming brass fixtures from Brizo. These fixtures aren’t merely functional; they’re bold statement pieces that inject a layer of refined elegance. The brass showerhead, sink faucet, and bathtub faucet radiate against the calm backdrop. Next to these radiant fixtures, you’ll find cabinets bathed in a soothing shade of sky blue. This tranquil hue instills a sense of serenity, transforming the bathroom into a peaceful oasis. This is the perfect place to start and end your day in the city of South Pasadena. Contrasting the contemporary fixtures and cabinetry, the walls display traditional Tongue and Groove paneling. This classic design detail pays homage to the home’s rich history. When paired with the sky-blue cabinets, it ushers in a coastal, airy vibe. As you venture further into the space, your gaze naturally falls onto the floor. Here, a striking chevron pattern captures the eye. The rhythmic alternation of tile shades creates a dynamic visual journey across the room. The shower and the bathtub are enveloped in immaculate white quartz slabs. The subtle grey veins throughout the quartz radiate a spa-like ambiance. These serene elements, along with the white quartz, brass fixtures, sky-blue cabinets, and dynamic chevron tile flooring, harmonize perfectly. Illuminating this exquisite ensemble is the soft, warm glow of strategically placed LED recessed lighting. These modern lights enhance every design detail, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The LEDs highlight the textures and colors in the room, providing efficient and adjustable light. Finally, in acknowledgment of the house’s historical lineage, the bathroom window has been custom-crafted. These windows invite an abundance of natural light, offering glimpses of the charming South Pasadena neighborhood. They fill the room with warmth, paying homage to the history and character of the city. In summary, this ‘blue and bold’ bathroom stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of modern elements with historical charm. It showcases visually stunning aesthetics combined with practical functionality. Truly embodying the spirit of the city of South Pasadena.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

Step into this beautifully transformed bathroom, a serene blue and bold sanctuary nestled within a distinguished South Pasadena home. This space artfully marries modern indulgence with historical charm. The first thing that captivates your attention is the gleaming brass fixtures from Brizo. These fixtures aren’t merely functional; they’re bold statement pieces that inject a layer of refined elegance. The brass showerhead, sink faucet, and bathtub faucet radiate against the calm backdrop. Next to these radiant fixtures, you’ll find cabinets bathed in a soothing shade of sky blue. This tranquil hue instills a sense of serenity, transforming the bathroom into a peaceful oasis. This is the perfect place to start and end your day in the city of South Pasadena. Contrasting the contemporary fixtures and cabinetry, the walls display traditional Tongue and Groove paneling. This classic design detail pays homage to the home’s rich history. When paired with the sky-blue cabinets, it ushers in a coastal, airy vibe. As you venture further into the space, your gaze naturally falls onto the floor. Here, a striking chevron pattern captures the eye. The rhythmic alternation of tile shades creates a dynamic visual journey across the room. The shower and the bathtub are enveloped in immaculate white quartz slabs. The subtle grey veins throughout the quartz radiate a spa-like ambiance. These serene elements, along with the white quartz, brass fixtures, sky-blue cabinets, and dynamic chevron tile flooring, harmonize perfectly. Illuminating this exquisite ensemble is the soft, warm glow of strategically placed LED recessed lighting. These modern lights enhance every design detail, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The LEDs highlight the textures and colors in the room, providing efficient and adjustable light. Finally, in acknowledgment of the house’s historical lineage, the bathroom window has been custom-crafted. These windows invite an abundance of natural light, offering glimpses of the charming South Pasadena neighborhood. They fill the room with warmth, paying homage to the history and character of the city. In summary, this ‘blue and bold’ bathroom stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of modern elements with historical charm. It showcases visually stunning aesthetics combined with practical functionality. Truly embodying the spirit of the city of South Pasadena.

"We are specialists in commercial and residential roofing, providing timely and efficient roofing services in Foley. Our team is highly trained and has access to modern roofing equipment. They also use some of the latest techniques that leave you with an appealing and optimally functioning roof. While most roofing contractors focus on reducing their cost and providing the lowest price solutions, Southern Roofing Systems strives to provide its customers with high-quality services at affordable prices. We ensure to choose the highest-quality roofing material for our projects. You can confidently bet on a roof installed or repaired by us to serve you longer. Our top-notch services have put us on the map as one of the best roofing companies in Foley. Our vast knowledge in roofing and cumulative years of experience has produced remarkable craft in our field. We acknowledge that a roof is a vital investment, and our mission is to help our customers preserve that investment. Southern Roofing Systems of Foley is built on honesty, and we strive to run our operations professionally and dependably. We understand the significance of reliable customer services, and we ensure to provide all our clients with the best of these services. We proudly serve Mobile, Tillman's Corner, Semmes, Saraland, Satsuma, Theodore, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, and our services include everything from commercial roofing to residential, and roof replacement to roof repair. Our full list includes Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, and Roof Repairs. Additional services include Roof Insurance Claims Services, Metal Roofing, Shingle Roofing, Storm Repair and Emergency Roof Repair, Tile Roofing, Slate Roofing, and Flat Roofing, to Roof Flashing repair and inspection. If you are in Foley and need any of these services, choose Southern Roofing Systems. Give us a call, and we will immediately schedule a quote."

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgment as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work, and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Landscape Architect Design Workshop, Aspen, CO Landscape Contractor/ Installer Landscape Workshop, Carbondale, CO Stone Installer JD Masonry, Arvada, CO Stone Suppliers Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN Gallegos Corporation, Vail, CO Through a collective dialogue between landscape, architecture and interior design, a new vision reimagines the disturbed site into a livable landscape, emblematic of our American West. The residence – an ensemble of structures designed in a modern ranch vernacular – is effortlessly unified through layered, interconnected outdoor gathering spaces and regional materials that elaborates upon the experience of moving between structures, heightening and renewing one’s sense of place. Upon entering the courtyard, one is immediately aware of seamless and unfolding relationships between architecture and landscape through a sophisticated, regional palette of natural stone, water, and plants. Set upon architectural focal points, two perpendicular sandstone paths descend into the space and converge upon a monolithic, hand-carved granite fountain. The design of the fountain is purposefully quiet, both in its detailing and operation. The feature includes a recessed interior, allowing water to become still before it reaches the surface, with lightly cleft sides, allowing the water to delicately bounce as it descends into the geometric lower granite basin. The landscape architect’s selection of various stone material extends the tones of the home’s granite walls and contextual surroundings into the garden, but also be detailed in a manner that balances rural and modern qualities. The majority of the paving is constructed of rectilinear gray sandstone with a natural finish and snapped edges, laid in a staggered running bond organization. Throughout the garden, thoughtful attention was also given to the configuration and layout of terraces, pathways, and steps. In doing so, this ensured that the edges of the terrace and its interface to other elements were designed so that no “leftover” stone paver pieces would be found. Within the central courtyard, split-faced stone stairs descend into a rectilinear plinth of lawn, punctuated by a carved granite fire pit. Leveraging the property’s existing topographic relief, a shallow infinity-edge dipping pool abstracts the transparent and cavity-like pools found throughout the Rocky Mountains. The design purposefully achieves the illusion of a larger water feature with the distant pond and offers a refreshing recreational element. Containing the infinity edge, a designed granite escarpment emerges from the meadow, juxtaposing the geometric water feature and providing informal seating ledges. The site’s prior use required the landscape architect to incorporate a highly technical and complex sub-surface structural system. The initial geotechnical report identified the building envelopes rested on 12 feet of man-placed fill. Assuming a 1 percent settlement, the team faced concerns that the terraces would settle up to 12 inches. In response, a grid of structural micro-piles provides the necessary foundation for the construction of terraces immediately outside of the architecture, under the water features and site walls. The solution enabled the crisp detailing and design resolution of the architectural structures to seamlessly connect with the horizontal stone terraces.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

The term “forever home” is often used to describe a house that portends to meet all of one’s current and future needs. Attaining such a residence often entails moving from one’s current home, leaving behind years of memories. We had the satisfaction of collaborating with a client to make their existing home into their forever home with smart adaptations that will allow them to age in place…in the house and neighborhood they love. The site is challenging in that the front of the home is perched atop a steep incline, and the home is primarily entered via a more accessible alley in the back. Thus, the home has two “fronts.” The existing low-slung ranch/bungalow had suited this couple for many years. However, newly retired with more free time, the couple sought to create a more gracious home to enjoy entertaining indoors and out, hosting guests for extended stays, and exploring their artistic sides in a proper studio space. A successful project would be a home filled with natural light that allowed them to age in place. A “happy house.” Inspiration for the design was found in the owners’ love of 1920s Arts & Crafts bungalows and bright colors. The existing home provided design cues, such as a porch with stucco columns and shallow arches that had been concealed by a previous renovation. Building upon that, we proposed to reconfigure the roof into a cross-gable to maximize interior space on the second floor while increasing the home’s contextuality with neighboring ones. A new primary bedroom suite with bathroom, his and hers closets, and a dressing room for the lady of the house were created. To maximizing versatility, the dressing room can also be utilized as a guest room. The balance of the second floor includes a hall bathroom and large office, gallery walls to display artwork, storage areas, and even some private meditation spaces with doors hidden behind bookcases. A first-floor addition expanded the casual dining room into the rear garden and created a new art studio. To imbue the middle of the house with light, skylights were introduced over the existing stair; new screened stairwells, inspired by the work of Louis Sullivan, filter the natural light. Acknowledging practical issues of aging in place, all openings were designed to allow easy passage by a wheelchair, and bathroom accommodations include grab bars and roll-in showers. Additionally, a small first floor bathroom was expanded and, along with an adjacent bedroom, will allow for single floor living if necessary. Exterior detailing was again influenced by the Arts & Crafts tradition: deep overhangs, brackets, and tapered columns. New cedar shingles were installed, the original porch restored, and the low arch motif was re-introduced into the design. A new garden of native plantings with an outdoor room anchors the house in the landscape. While one never truly know what the future holds, creating their “forever home” gives the inhabitants peace of mind that they can live in this place that brings them joy and gives them comfort now and, in the days, to come.

This 1900s Georgian home underwent a dramatic transformation to become a comfortable, modern family residence. Respecting the heritage character of the neighbourhood and the architecture of the original home, the front façade was meticulously restored. Windows were replaced with matching triple-pane, double-hung windows and divided lights. Trim and moldings were restored, masonry cleaned, and chimneys rebuilt using brick from the rear of the property. On the inside, however, the home was upgraded and completely transformed into a clean, bright, comfortable space for modern living. The building enclosure was stripped down to the brick shell and upgraded with new high-performance insulation, an energy-efficient mechanical system, an electrical system including home automation, plumbing, and interior finishes. Floors were levelled and structure upgraded to ensure even, squeak-free floors. A large array of operable skylights were added above the central staircase on the third floor to provide natural ventilation, and bring a flood of natural light to the centre of the home. The existing home had been renovated in the 1980s with a rear addition that created a sunken living room and multi-level second floor. The addition was rebuilt to create level space throughout, allowing for simple flow between living areas, and levelling the second floor to unify the space. Formal living and dining areas were maintained at the front of the home, while the new kitchen, eating area and family room connect to a large terrace at the back. Four bedroom suites, including the master, were created on the second floor, each with their own ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet. The third floor, with rain sensor skylights, locates two additional guest suites and a home office with a large roof terrace overlooking the rear yard. While the new home is modest with modern detailing, the centre hall plan was respected with a design created to acknowledge the past. Wood-burning fireplaces in the formal living and dining rooms were rebuilt and refinished. The principal staircase and banister were rebuilt, maintaining the proportion and quality of the original. Flush baseboards (with a reveal detail) mimic the height of the old wood trim, and eight-foot interior doors maintain the proportion of the original. The material palette is tempered with cream-coloured stone floors in the hall that transition to white oak throughout the home. This is endowed by crisp white walls and classic stone fireplaces. The Bulthaup kitchen embodies the philosophy behind the whole design: the complex storage and functional spaces are hidden behind simple oak and graphite doors. Artwork and furniture provide colour, style and grace in each room. The home provides the family with a respite from the hustle and bustle of their busy professional lives, and a place to host and entertain friends and family: a true oasis in the city.

Jeffrey Bale
Photo of an asian landscaping in Portland.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

With a farmhouse feel, this guest bedroom serves to keep its guests feeling warm and relaxed. Designed by: LTB Designs Photographed by: Picture Perfect LLC