Photo: Amy Rizer Photography © 2018 Houzz
Open concept kitchen - transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, brown backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

Completed in 2015, the Othello House was designed by PRDG Architecture + Design and built by Better Builders as a striking example of modern living in West Seattle. Though the homeowners chose not to pursue formal certification, the project was built to meet the rigorous standards of a Five-Star Built Green™ home. From the ground up, sustainability and style were equally prioritized. The build preserved native vegetation, retained mature trees on-site, exceeded Washington State Energy Code requirements, and recycled over 70% of construction waste by weight. Recycled-content materials were thoughtfully incorporated throughout, reinforcing the home’s eco-conscious foundation. Large windows on all sides flood the interiors with natural light, while the surrounding landscaping is designed to highlight lush greenery and native plantings. The result is a home that combines premium modern design with environmental responsibility—proving that sustainable construction can also deliver the ultimate in comfort and function.

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

This modern transitional kitchen in Arbor Heights, Seattle, combines timeless aesthetic with practical design. Navy blue shaker cabinets contrast beautifully with white quartz countertops, while a bold Moroccan star and cross tile backsplash adds personality. A large kitchen island with open shelving provides storage and prep space, perfect for cooking and entertaining. Skylights, hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances complete this light-filled, functional layout, ideal for family living.

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

In collaboration with architect Gustavo Penengo of PRDG Architecture & Design, Better Builders brought this bold contemporary vision to life. Built using modular construction on a steep lot once considered “unbuildable,” the home required a highly engineered foundation with H-piles driven 40 feet into the hillside. The offsite-built sections allowed for precision assembly and made possible dramatic cantilevers, expansive views of the Sound, and an energy-efficient design. The finished home showcases modern architecture at its finest—creative, sustainable, and perfectly suited to its unique site.

Foto: Giacomo Cosua © 2015 Houzz
Example of a country living room design in Venice

Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in Chicago

Trendy bedroom photo in Boston

Amy Bartlam
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor dining room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

EUGENE MICHEL PHOTOGRAPH
Family room - contemporary open concept concrete floor and gray floor family room idea in Seattle with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Allison Cartwright
Transitional medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in Burlington with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, marble backsplash, an island, white countertops, gray backsplash and paneled appliances

Architect: Sala Architects | Builder: Merdan Custom Builders Inc. | Photography: Spacecrafting
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

A serene lakeside master bedroom with a carved out reading nook. The reading nook has a custom cushion, plush pillows and a navy grasscloth. Wall sconces are adjustable. White oak floors with a beautiful wool and viscose rug. Blue and white accents with a touch of color in the pillows.