A steeply sloped property needs many retaining walls! This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Morrison Residence Roswell, GA PaverStone Construction The challenge with this project was the client’s large property had no real usable backyard for their large family. The property dropped off quickly starting at 30 ft out their back door. We used this fall in elevation to our advantage by creating a stunning vanishing edge swimming pool which gives the feeling of being in the mountains. The owners wanted a backyard oasis for entertainment and social functions. All the boxes were ticked off on this project. Spa and waterfall with stream, vanishing edge pool, and pool side bar with built in bar stools, beach entry, outdoor entertainment system, night lighting system, outdoor kitchen and fire pit. They even have a putting green and children’s play area. We used the grade changes to our advantage by designing three separate terrace levels surrounding the pool. The upper level contains the outdoor kitchen, fire pit and spa. The large second level includes the stream, beach entry and plenty of area for chase lounges and pool side activity, while the lower level takes advantage of the bar stools at the deep end and the cantilevered stone slab bar top.

New England Ranch Remodel This rambling mid-century house in Andover, MA was designed in 1952 by William Hajjar. Hajjar graduated from MIT in 1942, 40 years before Flavin Architects' founding principal, Colin Flavin enrolled there. In addition to his focus on designing houses, Hajjar was also active in research, and developed double glass curtain walls, an early innovation in making buildings more energy efficient. Our client had outgrown the original single-story house, and our challenge was to add a second floor without losing the low-slung character of the original massing. Our addition is set discretely at the rear of the house away from the street. We extended a rectangular bay window up to the new second floor, linking the new to the existing. To reach the second floor, we designed a new steel stair that wraps around the home’s original massive bluestone fireplace The second floor includes a master bedroom suite and study. The exterior color scheme is a striking contrast of charcoal siding and white painted concrete masonry units. In keeping with the spirit of Hajjar’s vision of energy efficient housing, the home features a generous number of south-facing windows to maximize passive solar light and heat.

Design Challenges: -Offer sufficient storage despite a very large window and many appliances -Include an island without crowding the existing breakfast table -Create a feeling of warmth in an all-white kitchen Design Solutions: -Take wall cabinets up to the 10′ ceiling – this facilitates plenty of storage for everyday items and items that are used less frequently -Scale the island’s potential back a bit and add furniture details so that it fits into the space beautifully -Add glass doors to the cabinets surrounding the hood – displaying carefully curated items and keepsakes is a great way to add color to a mostly white space -Matte black hardware and lighting adds contrast and keeps things fresh THE RENEWED SPACE The family loves their new kitchen. As a focal point for meals and activities, it is the hub of their day-to-day lives. The bright, light-filled space is great for cooking, enjoying meals and spending time with family and friends.

Welcome to your ultimate desert oasis in Scottsdale, AZ. This luxury property boasts an expansive pool that serves as the centerpiece of relaxation and entertainment. Surrounded by stunning fire features that light up the night, the pool area is perfect for both unwinding and hosting gatherings. An outdoor kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances ensures seamless dining and entertainment under the Arizona sky. For those seeking active recreation, the property also includes a professional-grade beach volleyball court and a versatile sports court. Whether you’re lounging by the water, enjoying a meal with loved ones, or challenging friends to a game, this luxury retreat offers an unparalleled lifestyle experience.

The owners of this very small home have no back yard and wanted to pack a lot of features into the sunny front yard. Designing small gardens can actually be challenging as using the space has to be ultra-efficient. Design goals included an area to grow vegetables, space to sit in the sun and privacy from the busy street. Gently curving Arizona flagstone pathways connect all of the garden features which include two large redwood raised vegetable beds. These special beds have seating walls on all four sides for enjoying your glass of wine and maximizing the space. We installed new redwood fences, pergolas and gates to provide a sense of enclosure from the street. Mounding, drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants create year-round color and invite insect activity. Hidden beneath the surface is a series of drains to address slope and runoff issues in the rainy season. You don't need a lot of space to enjoy the beautiful Santa Cruz outdoors!

When it comes to renovating there are several factors that can pose quite the challenge to take an existing space and transform it into the spacious, livable, visually aesthetic, and functional space desired. However with time, patience, and creative minds combined we were able to create just that space! Turning the existing oversize and wasted mudroom area into the kitchen, and opening up the dining room and living room by removing walls and adding a vaulted ceiling, we were able to create a gracious living area. This in turn became an ideal space for entertaining, family gatherings, and everyday activities.

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

Living Room in Bronco Revival | Key Feature: A warm, masculine, family-friendly Scottsdale home refresh designed to function as both a lived-in family space and a design showroom, blending current trends with timeless style. Challenge: The main challenge was maintaining a cohesive design while replacing underperforming elements from a previous installation, all within an existing architectural framework. Additional hurdles included sourcing pieces that worked with existing furniture, finding properly scaled rugs for large North Scottsdale rooms, ensuring correct counter stool height for a substantial 3-inch stone slab island, and coordinating the timeline around photography/videography schedules and local contractor availability. Solution: We approached the refresh strategically by preserving the strongest existing elements while updating key furnishings and finishes to create a warmer, more sophisticated look. New vendor relationships and products were tested before specifying for broader client use, while all selections prioritized durability for an active family lifestyle. Timeline flexibility became a creative advantage, allowing for an unconventional beam wallpaper application that ultimately became a signature design moment. Our construction management ensured seamless coordination across trades throughout the Scottsdale area. Materials: Moss Studio- Sofa + Pillows | Coffee tables by MadeGoods: Davion Coffee Tables – sculptural mango wood with rich texture | Performance rugs by Loloi: High-traffic wool construction perfect for pets and children | Custom drapery fabric by Schumacher: Premium textiles maintaining original custom window treatments | Drapery hardware by Hesler Brothers | Palmer Industries - | Sun Lighting - Chandeliers, Table Lamps, Pendants | Budget ($ Range): $75-$100K | Timeline (Duration): 3 months

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

New England Ranch Remodel This rambling mid-century house in Andover, MA was designed in 1952 by William Hajjar. Hajjar graduated from MIT in 1942, 40 years before Flavin Architects' founding principal, Colin Flavin enrolled there. In addition to his focus on designing houses, Hajjar was also active in research and developed double glass curtain walls, an early innovation in making buildings more energy-efficient. Our client had outgrown the original single-story house, and our challenge was to add a second floor without losing the low-slung character of the original massing. Our addition is set discretely at the rear of the house away from the street. We extended a rectangular bay window up to the new second floor, linking the new to the existing. To reach the second floor, we designed a new steel stair that wraps around the home’s original massive bluestone fireplace The second floor includes a master bedroom suite and study. The exterior color scheme is a striking contrast of charcoal siding and white painted concrete masonry units. In keeping with the spirit of Hajjar’s vision of energy-efficient housing, the home features a generous number of south-facing windows to maximize passive solar light and heat.

Our homeowners purchased this home for its excellent location and great bones. They were desirous of returning it to the era of it’s time while updating and modernizing it with the elegance it deserved. To add to our challenges, they were living out of the country during our design and renovation, making for great communications utilizing modern technology to ensure we could deliver what they hoped to achieve. We opened some space in the kitchen to create an updated and more functional kitchen for this active family, relocating appliances for efficiency, adding an island and relocating a chimney. We had structural challenges with the sagging hardwood floors, which required us to reframe floor systems, and while we were at it, we antique finished the hardwoods reminiscent of the 1940’s. We added wainscoting in the dining room and entry stair hallway to enhance the old-world look and added some arched openings to match other areas of the home. We also added custom moldings to the fireplace wall to allow it to shine as a focal point in the space, utilizing restored antique light fixtures. The finished result is stunning and truly honors the integrity of the original time period of this home.

For a client with a deep appreciation for all manner of architectural styles – and the passion to transform his lifelong dream of a single home showcasing their wide variety into reality – we were thrilled to meet the challenge. Consider the elements: an English conservatory-style kitchen. A Bahamian plantation-inspired bedroom. Florentine palazzos, Swiss chalets, Lowcountry fishing huts – all informed our journey from broad concept to unified, cohesive actuality. First and foremost a home meant to cosset and comfort an active family, it is also an elegant and gracious example of the many handcrafted arts too seldom seen. From custom ceiling treatments to hand-woven rugs, evidence of the artist’s hand abounds, imparting exquisite detail on virtually each and every surface. Nestled waterside along shimmering shores, this home is truly a dream come true – and proof the fanciful notions of the heart can indeed be transformed into functional living spaces that nurture, inspire, and satisfy the soul. Photo: Carlos Domenech Photography

Beautiful steps up the side of the home are flanked by textural shrubs, succulents and boulders. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Conceived more similar to a loft type space rather than a traditional single family home, the homeowner was seeking to challenge a normal arrangement of rooms in favor of spaces that are dynamic in all 3 dimensions, interact with the yard, and capture the movement of light and air. As an artist that explores the beauty of natural objects and scenes, she tasked us with creating a building that was not precious - one that explores the essence of its raw building materials and is not afraid of expressing them as finished. We designed opportunities for kinetic fixtures, many built by the homeowner, to allow flexibility and movement. The result is a building that compliments the casual artistic lifestyle of the occupant as part home, part work space, part gallery. The spaces are interactive, contemplative, and fun. More details to come. credits: design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design construction: Cellar Ridge Construction structural engineer: Darla Wall - Willamette Building Solutions photography: Erin Riddle - KLIK Concepts

A variety of interesting textures and staggered bloom times makes this deer-resistant landscape interesting year-round. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

HNA Hardscape Project Award Winner Wayne Pool Wayne, New Jersey Monello Landscape Industries Design elements and features include six multi level paver patios, three permeable paver patios, and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. A 20 foot double water falls drops into a pond with glass panels that separate the pool from the pond enabling views of koi. A 24 in. by 30 foot running/trickle water wall over natural stone into the the pool is also features. Additional items include three built-in bistro tables, a 20 foot high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plantings, and floating boulders built into the pool. Design challenges included a 12 foot high bar wall engineered with ¾ in. rebar and a solid concrete pour. Lower levels of the patio system were built and excavated below the water table level, so an extensive and creative drainage system was installed. In addition, water pumps were active during construction. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that all soil had to be removed from the site and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement. There was over 1500 cubic yards of soil removed from the site and over 1500 yards of aggregate trucked into the site.

Hall in Bronco Revival | Key Feature: A warm, masculine, family-friendly Scottsdale home refresh designed to function as both a lived-in family space and a design showroom, blending current trends with timeless style. Challenge: The main challenge was maintaining a cohesive design while replacing underperforming elements from a previous installation, all within an existing architectural framework. Additional hurdles included sourcing pieces that worked with existing furniture, finding properly scaled rugs for large North Scottsdale rooms, ensuring correct counter stool height for a substantial 3-inch stone slab island, and coordinating the timeline around photography/videography schedules and local contractor availability. Solution: We approached the refresh strategically by preserving the strongest existing elements while updating key furnishings and finishes to create a warmer, more sophisticated look. New vendor relationships and products were tested before specifying for broader client use, while all selections prioritized durability for an active family lifestyle. Timeline flexibility became a creative advantage, allowing for an unconventional beam wallpaper application that ultimately became a signature design moment. Our construction management ensured seamless coordination across trades throughout the Scottsdale area. Materials: Moss Studio- Sofa + Pillows | Coffee tables by MadeGoods: Davion Coffee Tables – sculptural mango wood with rich texture | Performance rugs by Loloi: High-traffic wool construction perfect for pets and children | Custom drapery fabric by Schumacher: Premium textiles maintaining original custom window treatments | Drapery hardware by Hesler Brothers | Palmer Industries - | Sun Lighting - Chandeliers, Table Lamps, Pendants | Budget ($ Range): $75-$100K | Timeline (Duration): 3 months

For a client with a deep appreciation for all manner of architectural styles – and the passion to transform his lifelong dream of a single home showcasing their wide variety into reality – we were thrilled to meet the challenge. Consider the elements: an English conservatory-style kitchen. A Bahamian plantation-inspired bedroom. Florentine palazzos, Swiss chalets, Lowcountry fishing huts – all informed our journey from broad concept to unified, cohesive actuality. First and foremost a home meant to cosset and comfort an active family, it is also an elegant and gracious example of the many handcrafted arts too seldom seen. From custom ceiling treatments to hand-woven rugs, evidence of the artist’s hand abounds, imparting exquisite detail on virtually each and every surface. Nestled waterside along shimmering shores, this home is truly a dream come true – and proof the fanciful notions of the heart can indeed be transformed into functional living spaces that nurture, inspire, and satisfy the soul. Photo: Carlos Domenech Photography