Carol Hook Photography
Design ideas for a farmhouse landscaping in Seattle.

Carol Hook Photography
Photo of a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.

Carol Hook Photography
Inspiration for a craftsman landscaping in Seattle.

DILLON KYLE ARCHITECTS OFFICE BUILDING GIVES THE WOW FACTOR WITH ACCOYA PROJECT DETAILS Building Type: Office Building Completed: 2018 Architect: Dillon Kyle Architects Supplier: Universal Forest Products Millwork Shop: S&S Constructors Installer: Arista Construction Over the years, the Houston Museum District located in the Montrose neighborhood has morphed from a residential area into a lively art district, home to art galleries, museums, and aesthetically distinct buildings. When Dillon Kyle Architects set out to design their new office space across the street from the Houston Center for Photography, they needed creative solutions to fit a 5,000 square foot building plus parking on the lot’s small unique space. The three-story building takes the form of an inverted L, a configuration that allows for maximized parking on the narrow corner lot. The cantilever space was built to shade the cars from the hot Texas sun, while also creating a semi-public place that invites pedestrians to interact with the space and peer inside as they walk through the neighborhood. The interior design includes open ceilings, concrete walls, wood floors, residential scale furnishings and rugs and warm, neutral colors for a more industrial tone. The exterior has a commercial boxy look, so the team looked for creative cladding finishes to wrap the building and also serve as a rainscreen. After dismissing glass and papier-mâché options, the team settled on wood – Accoya® wood. “The idea was to use a material where you couldn’t tell where the patterns started and stopped, just one big continuous object,” said Peter Klein, architect at DKA. An abstract leaf-like pattern is carved into 2,500 eight-foot long by eight-inches tall and 11/16-inches in depth, Accoya wood boards wrapping the entire building. The leaf pattern serves as a gentle reference to the live oak trees that line the neighborhood. The rainscreen is made of G80 galvanized steel sheets offset from the building with the Accoya leaf boards attached to it. “We settled on wood, and specifically Accoya wood, because it is easy to mill, and we knew we were going to leave it unsealed,” said Klein. Because DKA had time, they inadvertantly put Accoya wood to the test by installing a four foot by eight foot sample wall on site. They watched the sample weather to a nice gray patina, which was the desired result. “Even left untreated, it didn’t warp or mildew or mold, and that let us know we were on the right path,” added Klein. The neutral gray tones coupled with its longterm durability, resistance to rot and insects made Accoya wood the ideal material for this project. The Accoya wood pieces were milled using a CNC machine, which programmed the patterns. Arista Construction and its crew installed the pieces and they “knocked it out of the park,” according to DKA Architects

Carol Hook Photography
Photo of a mid-sized craftsman drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in Seattle.

Carol Hook Photography
Photo of a farmhouse landscaping in Seattle.

Carol Hook Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.

DILLON KYLE ARCHITECTS OFFICE BUILDING GIVES THE WOW FACTOR WITH ACCOYA PROJECT DETAILS Building Type: Office Building Completed: 2018 Architect: Dillon Kyle Architects Supplier: Universal Forest Products Millwork Shop: S&S Constructors Installer: Arista Construction Over the years, the Houston Museum District located in the Montrose neighborhood has morphed from a residential area into a lively art district, home to art galleries, museums, and aesthetically distinct buildings. When Dillon Kyle Architects set out to design their new office space across the street from the Houston Center for Photography, they needed creative solutions to fit a 5,000 square foot building plus parking on the lot’s small unique space. The three-story building takes the form of an inverted L, a configuration that allows for maximized parking on the narrow corner lot. The cantilever space was built to shade the cars from the hot Texas sun, while also creating a semi-public place that invites pedestrians to interact with the space and peer inside as they walk through the neighborhood. The interior design includes open ceilings, concrete walls, wood floors, residential scale furnishings and rugs and warm, neutral colors for a more industrial tone. The exterior has a commercial boxy look, so the team looked for creative cladding finishes to wrap the building and also serve as a rainscreen. After dismissing glass and papier-mâché options, the team settled on wood – Accoya® wood. “The idea was to use a material where you couldn’t tell where the patterns started and stopped, just one big continuous object,” said Peter Klein, architect at DKA. An abstract leaf-like pattern is carved into 2,500 eight-foot long by eight-inches tall and 11/16-inches in depth, Accoya wood boards wrapping the entire building. The leaf pattern serves as a gentle reference to the live oak trees that line the neighborhood. The rainscreen is made of G80 galvanized steel sheets offset from the building with the Accoya leaf boards attached to it. “We settled on wood, and specifically Accoya wood, because it is easy to mill, and we knew we were going to leave it unsealed,” said Klein. Because DKA had time, they inadvertantly put Accoya wood to the test by installing a four foot by eight foot sample wall on site. They watched the sample weather to a nice gray patina, which was the desired result. “Even left untreated, it didn’t warp or mildew or mold, and that let us know we were on the right path,” added Klein. The neutral gray tones coupled with its longterm durability, resistance to rot and insects made Accoya wood the ideal material for this project. The Accoya wood pieces were milled using a CNC machine, which programmed the patterns. Arista Construction and its crew installed the pieces and they “knocked it out of the park,” according to DKA Architects

LEED certification level: Platinum. Builder: GCCM Construction Services LLC dba UberGreen Spaces & Homes. Mark Twain said it best, "If the world were to end today I'd move to Kentucky because they are 20 years behind everyone else." There is some truth to that because Kentuckians believe that 'if it aint broke dont fix it'. We designed and built Kentucky's first LEED Platinum Net Zero Energy Net Zero Water home in the private sector. We named the home 'My Green Kentucky Home' playing off the state song 'My Old Kentucky Home'. Our take on a home should have people and the planet in mind. We found LEED to be the best most credible third-party green certification program to address these important challenges today. The envelope of the home was designed to minimize energy losses and maximize inside comfort by using Insulated Concrete Form walls from the footers to the roof, spray foam and blown in cellulose in the attic, rigid foam beneath the Lower Level basement slab and triple-pane fully insulated casement windows. The home was oriented with the back facing south to maximize daylighting, passive heating in the winter and solar production. Our HVAC is geothermal with a storage tank to preheat domestic water. A fresh air system was installed in the return side of the HVAC system to filter and then mix with supply air to the home. All paints were zero VOC. The reclaimed KY horse farm fencing turned into beautiful hardwood floors was finished with a low VOC sealer. Carpets were low VOC and the 100% recycled padding was zero VOC. The custom cabinets for the kitchen and baths were made locally and built with FSC certified plywood with no added formaldehyde. The home collects 100% of the rainwater that hits the roof into a 3,300 gallon rainwater collection tank. The primary use of the collected water is to irrigate the lawns, landscaped beds and supply the hose bibs. When the tank is low it automatically shuts the tank valve and opens the city water valve to operate with city water pressure until the tank fills past a certain level, saving electricity and wear and tear on the pump. The cistern is designed to service all the homes domestic water needs when KY State Plumbing code will allow it in the future. All appliances are Energy Star and locally made by GE. The counter tops on all cabinets are recycled materials and durable without requiring sealers or maintenance. We went a step further for indoor air quality and installed AirRenew drywall by Certainteed which works like trees do in the environment by pulling in VOC's into the drywall and making it inert. The Florida Tile was made in Kentucky with recycled content. We monitor all utility usage per electrical circuit and monitor the amount of energy produced by the solar panels as well helping the owners make more informed decisions. The home was such a hit that it was the catalyst that sparked development in a dormant neighborhood of vacant lots. We had the home open for three months to the public where hundreds of folks toured it as it was laid out like an art museum. We had actual walls open all the way to the outside layer of ICF insulation where they saw the concrete and steel inside the walls. We also had the lower level basement slab cut open to show how we insulate beneath the concrete and how we drain and mitigate radon. It was a super inspirational project that made people think about people and the planet much differently than before. We hope to continue making great projects like these to help inspire, educate and create awareness around some of the most important topics and challenges we face today. Thank you to everyone at the USGBC for helping us make this happen and the great work you do every day!

Carol Hook Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.

Carol Hook Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.

Carol Hook Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.

Carol Hook Photography
Photo of a craftsman landscaping in Seattle.

Carol Hook Photography
Design ideas for a craftsman landscaping in Seattle.

Carol Hook Photography
Photo of a mid-sized craftsman backyard stone landscaping in Seattle.

In the realm of kitchen and bathroom renovations, Covossi Solid Surface Countertops emerge as a superior choice for both residential and commercial applications, offering an unparalleled blend of durability, practicality, and cost efficiency. Designed to meet the demands of modern living, these countertops are an epitome of innovation and style, ensuring longevity and ease of maintenance without compromising on aesthetics. Unmatched Durability Constructed with a top layer of ¼ inch solid polyester resin and supported by a robust 1¼ inch chipboard core, Covossi Solid Surface Countertops are engineered to withstand the rigors of daily use. This unique composition offers exceptional resistance to stains, scratches, liquids, and impacts, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas. Aesthetic Versatility One of the most compelling attributes of Covossi Solid Surface Countertops is the color consistency throughout the material. This feature not only enhances the visual appeal of the countertops but also allows for easy repair of minor scratches. Damages can be effortlessly sanded out and polished, restoring the countertop to its original splendor. The material's seamless design further contributes to its aesthetic appeal, providing a sleek and unified look that elevates any space. Seamless and Hygienic The innovative seamless design of Covossi Solid Surface Countertops is not just about aesthetics; it also plays a crucial role in maintaining hygiene. By allowing the material to be sanded and joined in a way that cracks are virtually non-existent, it eliminates the collection of dirt and debris, making it an exceptionally hygienic option for kitchens and bathrooms. Ease of Installation and Maintenance Designed with practicality in mind, these countertops can be easily installed by a 1-2 person team using commonly used tools, making it a convenient choice for both DIY enthusiasts and professional installers. The finished product exudes the luxury and sophistication of an expensive solid surface, without the hefty price tag. Warranty and Certification Covossi Solid Surfaces come with an 8-year Manufacturer Limited Warranty, offering peace of mind and assurance of quality. Additionally, being NSF Certified, these countertops meet strict standards for public health protection, further reinforcing their suitability for both residential and commercial settings. In conclusion, Covossi Solid Surface Countertops stand out as a smart investment for those seeking a blend of functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Whether for a home kitchen, bathroom, or a commercial space, these countertops promise to deliver performance and style that lasts.

There is always an easy way out. A simple, uninteresting solution that neither challenges nor engages the mind or the soul. The 50s rambler is a simple structure that lacks character and charm. Its greatest contribution to architecture was the single floor living concept. We came to this project because the homeowners believed their home had the potential to be something more and had invested their time and creativity into developing ideas for what it could become. We embraced the opportunity to collaborate with the homeowner to create a home that was unique, thoughtful, customized for their use, and cared for. The curved exterior shell of this addition wraps around to accommodate a screen porch under a lifted peak. Inside, the new kitchen follows the curve with custom cabinets and honed granite creating a dynamite space for a chef. Shade tree, bamboo and honed slate flooring weave the living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen together. Walls jog and jump with color and dimension. One of the major challenges was to ensure that the space could accommodate large family gatherings of 12 – 16 people yet still feel intimate and comfortable for two people when guests were not present. As you move through the home you will notice that none of the spaces feel cavernous or restrictive. Careful attention was paid to mapping out the space to create areas that were cozy and appropriate while taking traffic patterns into consideration. The dining room entrances are staggered which creates the illusion of two separate spaces. The warm red halogen lights further encourage a sense of scale. One can easily extend the dining room table to accommodate a large crowd without causing guests to feel uncomfortable or confined. The use of color is an often noted feature in our projects. Our philosophy is that the selection of color for the walls is as important as the selection of all the other materials. Color influences everything we do and gives us direction for how to feel, where to go, where to stop, and how to interact. It is the binding component between all the elements in a design. It bends, bounces, twists, manipulates light and the eye, and is required to fully develop and design a space. This project was an exciting and rewarding challenge, and we are grateful to the homeowners for asking us to be a part of it and to opening up their home to the public. We hope that you will enjoy your time visiting this remarkably transformed home. highlights Re-use of existing housing stock Icynene insulation Super-insulated ceilings Remnant granite countertops Energy Star windows Shade tree floors Bamboo floors Hardishingle siding Halogen lights Dimmers and separated task lighting Energy efficient Panasonic fans Locally manufactured cabinets FSC certified millwork Energy Star appliances Dual flush toilet

Carol Hook Photography
Example of an arts and crafts home design design in Seattle

Carol Hook Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized craftsman full sun backyard stone landscaping in Seattle for summer.