This city residence boasts interesting artifacts from our clients’ travels. Their preference for a modern kitchen and lighting created the perfectly subtle yet sophisticated backdrop to showcase their unique pieces complementing the architecture of their DC abode.

Modern exterior home idea in Houston

McKeesport Downtown Housing, formerly a YMCA, is an 84-unit SRO for people at risk of homelessness. The old brick and terracotta building was important historically for McKeesport. The decision to design the project to Passive House criteria actually went a long way to making the pro-forma work. This project was the first large scale retrofit to be designed to meet Passive House Standards in the US. Another major concern of the project team was to maintain the historic charm of the building. Space was at a premium and a reorganization of space allowed for making larger resident rooms. Through a community process with various stakeholders, amenities were identified and added to the project, including a community room, a bike storage area, exterior smoking balconies, single-user rest rooms, a bed bug room for non-toxic treatment of bed bugs, and communal kitchens to provide healthy options for food. The renovation includes new additional lighting, air-conditioning, make-up air and ventilation systems, an elevator, and cooking facilities. A cold-weather shelter, 60-day emergency housing, bridge housing, and section 8 apartment rentals make up the housing programs within the shelter. Thoughtful Balance designed the interiors, and selected the furniture for durability and resistance to bed bugs. The project team worked closely with Zola Windows to specify a unique uPVC window that not only offers passive house performance levels at an affordable cost, but also harmonizes with the building’s historic aesthetic. Zola’s American Heritage SDH (simulated double hung) from the popular, budget-friendly Thermo uPVC line was specified for the project. The windows implemented in this project feature a lower tilt & turn window and a fixed upper for maximum airtightness and thermal performance. The implementation of these windows helped the project team achieve a very significant energy consumption reduction of at least 75%. Photographer: Alexander Denmarsh

West side,exterior covering: natural lime-based plaster colored with clay from on-site.

Inspiration for a mediterranean exterior home remodel in Dallas

Visser Architects

Hardin Builders, Inc, Neil Hardin
Inspiration for a large timeless brown two-story brick house exterior remodel in Chicago with a hip roof and a shingle roof

A charcoal-clad second-storey addition rises above the original red brick exterior in this Scarborough home renovation by Cedarstone Group Inc. This side view shows the contrast between the existing masonry and the new upper level, with dark trim and a sheltered front entrance. Part of Cedarstone Group Inc.’s 2024 whole-home renovation and second-storey addition in Scarborough, Toronto. This Toronto home addition brings a new upper storey together with the existing brick house as part of a complete home remodel. The exterior design combines contemporary cladding, updated windows and coordinated architectural details. For homeowners exploring a second-floor addition, second-storey extension or whole-house renovation in Scarborough, the project illustrates how an expanded home can retain elements of its original character while gaining a modern exterior. Explore this project and Cedarstone Group Inc.’s renovation work at cedarstonereno.com.

Eclectic exterior home idea in Portland

Elegant exterior home photo in Calgary