Believe it or not, this award-winning home began as a speculative project. Typically speculative projects involve a rather generic design that would appeal to many in a style that might be loved by the masses. But the project’s developer loved modern architecture and his personal residence was the first project designed by architect C.P. Drewett when Drewett Works launched in 2001. Together, the architect and developer envisioned a fictitious art collector who would one day purchase this stunning piece of desert modern architecture to showcase their magnificent collection. The primary views from the site were southwest. Therefore, protecting the interior spaces from the southwest sun while making the primary views available was the greatest challenge. The views were very calculated and carefully managed. Every room needed to not only capture the vistas of the surrounding desert, but also provide viewing spaces for the potential collection to be housed within its walls. The core of the material palette is utilitarian including exposed masonry and locally quarried cantera stone. An organic nature was added to the project through millwork selections including walnut and red gum veneers. The eventual owners saw immediately that this could indeed become a home for them as well as their magnificent collection, of which pieces are loaned out to museums around the world. Their decision to purchase the home was based on the dimensions of one particular wall in the dining room which was EXACTLY large enough for one particular painting not yet displayed due to its size. The owners and this home were, as the saying goes, a perfect match! Project Details | Desert Modern for the Magnificent Collection, Estancia, Scottsdale, AZ Architecture: C.P. Drewett, Jr., AIA, NCARB | Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Shannon Construction | Phoenix, AZ Interior Selections: Janet Bilotti, NCIDQ, ASID | Naples, FL Custom Millwork: Linear Fine Woodworking | Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn | Scottsdale, AZ Awards: 2014 Gold Nugget Award of Merit Feature Article: Luxe. Interiors and Design. Winter 2015, “Lofty Exposure”

A wide open lawn provided the perfect setting for a beautiful backyard barn. The home owners, who are avid gardeners, wanted an indoor workshop and space to store supplies - and they didn’t want it to be an eyesore. During the contemplation phase, they came across a few barns designed by a company called Country Carpenters and fell in love with the charm and character of the structures. Since they had worked with us in the past, we were automatically the builder of choice! Country Carpenters sent us the drawings and supplies, right down to the pre-cut lengths of lumber, and our carpenters put all the pieces together. In order to accommodate township rules and regulations regarding water run-off, we performed the necessary calculations and adjustments to ensure the final structure was built 6 feet shorter than indicated by the original plans.

These are returning clients of Sosna, for whom we previously completed a Laundry Room and multiple Bathroom renovation. They are a family of professionals in the restaurant industry, who returned to Sosna to renovate their outdated, and cramped Kitchen. They found it especially cramped when entertaining guests, as the only space to gather was around the cooking area. During the renovation process, it was discovered that the existing window had leaked and caused extensive damage to the exterior wall. This damage was repaired with new framing and insulation, and a larger window was installed allowing for a beautiful view of the backyard. In the newly renovated Kitchen, a large peninsula in the center of the room features unique grooved panels with LED lighting and a quartz waterfall countertop. Creating the grooved panels to align perfectly with the tall cabinets on the opposite wall and also fit the LED channels required detailed and careful calculations. This peninsula not only enhances the aesthetics of the space but also serves a functional purpose. It provides a designated area for food preparation and cooking behind it, while the opposite side remains a convenient and safe space for entertaining, allowing guests to communicate and interact with their hosts effortlessly. The back wall of the Kitchen features the stove and large hood cabinet, which are flanked by 2 appliance garages to hide and store small countertop appliances. As well, cabinetry that is fully loaded with drawer and cabinet accessories with pull-outs and inserts keeps the countertops free from clutter. The right side of the Kitchen includes the fridge, pantry, and tall cabinetry with plenty of useful storage. A wine fridge and built-in coffee machine are conveniently placed for entertaining. Given the new cabinetry was a mix of doors with a thin shaker profile, and doors with grooves, the installation of knobs and handles required careful measurement to ensure that they not only fit the grooves, but lined up for a clean and cohesive look. Our clients are overjoyed with their unique and beautiful Kitchen, uniquely designed for both their daily lives, and entertaining needs. If you’re ready for a Kitchen that meets your tastes, needs, and lifestyle, contact us to get started!

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Residence in Sunset SC Designed & built by Studio Kunstwerke, who unfortunately is no long is business Roof installed by a group of university student as a holiday project Tile: Pantile in Weathered Grey blend This was the second project we worked on with the designer and it certainly provided a number of challenges with curved eaves, raking gables and ridge tiles that were not parallel to the eaves. Northern met up with the installers who had zero experience of roofing or the installation of tiles, which it turned out was a huge advantage because they followed our instructions to the letter. The fact that one of the crew was a calculus major also helped when it came time to calculate the gauge for the battening. All in all they did an amazing job and it is only unfortunate that very few people who see the roof actually realize just how complicated some of the detailing was!

This staircase is a “curved” staircase design and is an example of highly specialized woodwork. The challenge with this curved wall was to use something that would be flexible enough to build into the curve. We settled on doing “Judges Panels.” “Judges Panels” are created with a “stacked box” look from the floor (or from the steps in this case) to the ceiling. Panel molding was used to build the box frames because it’s flexible enough to make those curves. The calculations necessary to make the boxes or frames and to make the cuts is where a highly skilled craftsman is separated from a regular trim carpenter. The process required two full days just to mark up the wall to visually set up how it was to be laid out. Then another two full days were needed to cut each frame and nail it to the wall. Every cut was absolutely perfect. Once all the woodwork was completed, the panel wall was sprayed with white enamel to give it the look of a full wood wall. The end result was stunning.

This sustainable project was completed on a private 80 acre view parcel in the hills above Corralitos, CA. The owners were drawn to us through the Green Building link on our website and after an initial meeting, hired us to manage the preliminary feasibility studies, site work, design and eventual construction. With this type of project, we start at the beginning; making sure that development on the site is both possible and practical before we spend a lot of our client’s budget on plans that may not be suitable. After we determined that building on the property would be permitted by the Santa Cruz County Building and Planning Departments, we completed several feasibility steps that included: •A geologic review • Percolation test (for septic) • Water well probability analysis • Grading analysis • Biologic review • Site survey and topographic mapping • Earthquake zone and archeological clearances With these steps finished, we set up interviews with several local architects that we partner with to find the one that was most appealing to our client. The owners were integral to the process and agreed with our choice of Daniel Silvernail, Architect. He impressed the clients with his gracious nature and open attitude; welcoming feedback and the preferences they had throughout the design process. In addition to being very reasonably priced, Mr. Silvernail quickly gave his attention to the preliminary design plans. After client reviews and approval the full architectural and construction blueprints were finished. We had the complete ready-to-submit-for-permit documents in less than 10 weeks; this included structural engineering, energy calculations and Green Building ratings. We were all impressed by his professionalism throughout the design and building process.

Making a real impression by designing & building with exceptional people is exactly the effect JL Design & the client as owner-builder have achieved with “Scarborough House” in Scarborough, NSW. The brief required the dwelling to take maximum advantage of stunning views over the ocean & nearby escarpment cliffs. The residence was also to be a contemporary modernist four bedroom family dwelling, maximising built external living & pool areas. The client was extensively involved with the overall design, & carried out material selection, interior detailing and selection of fixtures and fittings. This collective method guaranteed a result where the client as the builder, through continued personal investment throughout the design and construction achieved a stunning result. The concrete, steelwork, windows, timber & various forms of cladding, joinery and concealed lighting are all custom made hand crafted elements. The design called for minimal tolerances, requiring a high level of skill and cooperation between trades. “Scarborough House” features BlueScope Colorbond monument matt ribbed wall cladding with rendered & ‘rendered look’ areas in off-white. A vertical feature hardwood timber screen to the side of the entry softens the ‘industrial’ feel, giving a modernist external appearance. Carefully calculated overhangs allow a passive solar solution to heating & cooling, with efficient reverse-cycle air conditioning required only during weather extremes. Internally, timber floors to the upper living areas give a feel of comfort & warmth. The warm, substantial character of the dwelling is carefully composed by means of the clarity of the detailing, a palette of tactical natural materials and the careful manipulation of light.

SET INCLUDES: 2 Door Slabs Trims Jamb Hinges 2 Passage Handles Door made of solid Wood and eco-veneer coating. Door is not pre-cutted for the hardware and not pre-attached to the frame. Assembly of frames and trims required. Door works with all swing directions. Minimal rough opening can be calculated: door width + 2"; door height + 1 1/2". Thickness of the door slab is 40 mm or 1 9/16". SOLID CORE Solid Wood core made by laminated wood using Ciplex technology. CIPLEX by SARTO High-end film layer that is applied on top of the laminated wood Made in Italy. NO FORMALDEHYDE Environmentally friendly using only latest eco-friendly materials. Company requires use of only the safest materials. We care about our planet, the environment and you and your loved ones. Sarto Doors are Ideal for use in hospitals and childcare centers. SEALING GUM GERMAN COMPANY DEVENTER It has a special profile that allows to protect your home from dust, makes a cozy and quiet atmosphere around every day. On another side it allows you to save 35 % more heat and save up to 20% to the bill. SOUND ATTENUATION Door's 40mm thick solid Wood construction yields 30% noise reduction over standard doors. CONSTRUCTION Door will give several generations of normal usage with minimal care.

The hidden drain. Through many calculations and extensive research we were able to design a drain that is hidden under the stone pavers.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern full sun backyard stone landscaping in Minneapolis for summer.

Calculating cables dap by special soft ware to meet BC cods
Example of a minimalist living room design in Vancouver

On first glance, this staircase reads as restrained. White oak treads rise with natural warmth, metal balusters hold their disciplined rhythm, and the painted black railing traces a clean, straight path upward. Then you notice the elliptical stringer wrap, and the whole composition shifts. Unlike a circular curve drawn with a compass, an ellipse requires mathematical calculation and a craftsman who knows how to make that complexity disappear. Here, it does exactly that. Natural light finishes the story. Moving through the space across the day, it deepens the oak grain, catches the metal, and lets the black railing guide the eye along the handrail's elliptical path from start to finish. Restraint brought the design this far. One well-executed curve made it memorable. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

The front porch was expanded to balance with the addition of the new structure. The form of the new shed dormer allowed the roof to drop down adjacent to the existing and tie directly with the front gable roof. Roof slopes were precisely calculated to fit all the parts together.

The Heritage Classic is a custom natural wood carriage style garage door by Northwest Door. It features Luan plywood panels, a Western Red Cedar cross buck ovelay, and (TDL) true divided lite windows arched to match the door opening. Door is 2 ¼” thick, insulated with Expanded Polystrene and has a calculated r value of 6.18 . Door finish by builder.

Photo credit Michael Moran. The design for this client’s “dream house on the water” capitalizes on every opportunity to incorporate views of the Long Island Sound within the home. The placement and expanse of the fir windows and sliding doors underscore the water’s proximity. The interior gathering space spills out onto the raised outdoor deck and lap pool overlooking the seawall. Reducing the house’s carbon footprint is another priority, accomplished by generating renewable energy on site. The precise angle of the house on the property is calculated for optimal solar energy production by the rooftop photovoltaic panels and a geothermal system installed under the driveway provides heating and cooling for the house. Due to the fact that the site is located on a floodplain, the ground floor of the house is raised and no basement is allowed. This presents a challenge in terms of carving out enough storage space in the main house that one might normally relegate to a basement. Rooms are efficiently sized and serve multiple functions and storage is built-in wherever possible.

This custom project showcases a soft statement of style and sophistication. In this grand staircase area our client wanted a custom installation of a carpet with a classic pattern without a border. The wood reveal was kept at about 2 inches. Installation in a space such as this requires precise calculations, extra wide pie shapes and a seamless transition step by step.

Kitchen photo in San Francisco

What a pleasure it is for a client to let me cart hardscaping off to the recycle center and replace it with compacted 250 sand-shell. Superior to more expensive shell, you can walk on it barefoot and it contributes zero to impervious surface permit calculations. But best of all is its ability to restore the authentic aesthetic of an island environ.

CA fam ?—ever heard of the “10 Biggest Renovation Regrets”? #7 is a total trap that’s wrecked 90% of folks I know. My bestie just texted crying: her new kitchen walls are moldy, floors are buckling, and she’s out $30K fixing it. Let’s be real: stop believing “CA is too dry for moisture control”. Especially if you’re in SF (fog city) or LA (rainy Nov-Mar)—painting walls with regular paint is basically rolling out a red carpet for mold. My neighbor’s walls last year? Peeling like a bad sunburn, and her oven grew mold (gross, I know). Here’s the fix: ❶ Walls: Moisture-blocking primer + anti-mold paint (Sherwin-Williams’ “MoldBlock” is CA mom-approved). ❷ Floors: Water-resistant composite wood (skip cheap solid wood—it swells when humidity hits). ❸ Wet areas (kitchen/bath): Mini dehumidifier (Amazon “CA dehumidifier” under $100 saves your walls!). No one wants renovation regrets, but dodging this? Saves you 30% in repair cash. Let’s enjoy CA sun and fog—without mold crashing the party. ?️