Example of a large trendy wooden u-shaped mixed material railing staircase design in Denver with wooden risers

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Clark Dugger Photography
Large contemporary white two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Los Angeles

kitchen
Kitchen - contemporary white floor kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Large farmhouse wooden u-shaped mixed material railing staircase photo in Los Angeles with wooden risers

Clark Dugger Photography
Large trendy backyard concrete patio photo in Los Angeles with a roof extension and a bbq area

Alcove shower - large cottage master alcove shower idea in Detroit with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Cheryl McIntosh Photographer | greatthingsaredone.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, concrete countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor entryway photo in St Louis with beige walls and a gray front door

David Joseph
Example of a mid-sized trendy gray tile dark wood floor and brown floor powder room design in New York with a console sink, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

Modern white kitchen with white slab cabinets, white oak floors, Western Window Systems, waterfall edge marble island. Photo by Bart Edson
Example of a large minimalist light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, paneled appliances, an island, white countertops and window backsplash

Custom modern stucco home in Rumson NJ.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master beige tile, brown tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in New York

Kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and a drop-in sink

www.jfaynovakphotography.com
Patio - large contemporary backyard tile patio idea in Boston with no cover

Example of a transitional white two-story mixed siding house exterior design in Dallas with a metal roof

© Lori Hamilton Photography © Lori Hamilton Photography
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized modern travertine floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, paneled appliances, an island, brown cabinets and window backsplash

Peter McMenamin
Example of a mid-sized classic gray floor dedicated laundry room design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, beige walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen design in Houston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Matthew Millman
Eat-in kitchen - mid-century modern light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island