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

Take your home gym high-tech with smart home automation from Control4. Broadcast the music or program of your choice to the exercise room using a whole-home audio/video solution, powered by Control4. The recessed smart lighting and access lighting is designed to create the perfect personalized ambiance. Other automation options may include pool and hot tub control, security system integration and full A/V control. And everything can be controlled from virtually anywhere - using your Control4 app with a smartphone, tablet or a dedicated touch screen.

Mid-sized trendy white tile and mosaic tile gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Large trendy beige floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Jacksonville with white walls

Home office with two freestanding light wood desks and grey chairs, floating shelves above desks, light wood paneled walls, exposed beam ceiling with skylights, and concrete floors in mid-century-modern home renovation in the Berkeley Hills.- Photo by Bruce Damonte.

Photo - John Smith Photography Interior Design - Pulliam Morris Interiors
Mid-sized tuscan stone back porch idea in Dallas with a roof extension

Bunk room with built-in beds
Mountain style carpeted and beige floor bedroom photo with beige walls and no fireplace

Transitional mixed siding exterior home idea in Seattle

Photo credit: Laurey W. Glenn/Southern Living
Beach style black floor dedicated laundry room photo in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, multicolored walls and black countertops

photo cred: tessa neustadt
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and a peninsula

Kim Serveau
Example of a small mid-century modern 3/4 blue tile and glass tile ceramic tile alcove shower design in San Francisco with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and gray walls

Stephen Reed
Living room - transitional living room idea in Dallas with white walls

Achieving proper ceiling heights were achieved using strategically located skylight chutes! For more information and additional photos of this project, which we both designed and built, go to http://a1builders.ws/2011/08/a-small-space-bath-undergoes-complete-transformation/

Unique sunroom with a darker take. This sunroom features shades of grey and a velvet couch with a wall of windows. Werner Straube Photography
Example of a large transitional gray floor and dark wood floor sunroom design in Chicago with a standard ceiling and no fireplace

Example of a transitional kids' room design in Salt Lake City

Trendy open concept dark wood floor living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

Modern functionality meets rustic charm in this expansive custom home. Featuring a spacious open-concept great room with dark hardwood floors, stone fireplace, and wood finishes throughout.

Atrium - AFTER
Deck - 1960s deck idea in San Francisco

Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Orange County