Example of a large trendy backyard concrete patio design in Chicago

Morningside Architects, LLP Structural Engineers: Structural Consulting Co. Inc. Contractor:Lucas Craftsmanship Photography: Rick Gardner Photography

The pool design is based on the upright wings of the airplane, as the owner is an avid aviator as well as tri-athlete. Large expanses of glass allow natural light to stream into the year-round training space. Cedar siding and extensive stone work ground the modern form of the building in the natural landscape.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Photos by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Living room library - mid-sized transitional enclosed brown floor and dark wood floor living room library idea in DC Metro with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

AV Architects + Builders Location: Tysons, VA, USA The Home for Life project was customized around our client’s lifestyle so that he could enjoy the home for many years to come. Designed with empty nesters and baby boomers in mind, our custom design used a different approach to the disparity of square footage on each floor. The main level measures out at 2,300 square feet while the lower and upper levels of the home measure out at 1000 square feet each, respectively. The open floor plan of the main level features a master suite and master bath, personal office, kitchen and dining areas, and a two-car garage that opens to a mudroom and laundry room. The upper level features two generously sized en-suite bedrooms while the lower level features an extra guest room with a full bath and an exercise/rec room. The backyard offers 800 square feet of travertine patio with an elegant outdoor kitchen, while the front entry has a covered 300 square foot porch with custom landscape lighting. The biggest challenge of the project was dealing with the size of the lot, measuring only a ¼ acre. Because the majority of square footage was dedicated to the main floor, we had to make sure that the main rooms had plenty of natural lighting. Our solution was to place the public spaces (Great room and outdoor patio) facing south, and the more private spaces (Bedrooms) facing north. The common misconception with small homes is that they cannot factor in everything the homeowner wants. With our custom design, we created an open concept space that features all the amenities of a luxury lifestyle in a home measuring a total of 4300 square feet. Jim Tetro Architectural Photography

This basement remodel made a great opportunity for our Design-Build team to create a multi-generational home that in our industry is becoming more common. We converted a typical man cave type basement into this Grandmother’s oasis during this extensive remodel. By changing the bar into a kitchenette and re-purposing the exercise room as a bedroom, the space became an ideal living space. The finishing touches were an electric fireplace, a bathroom remodel and a new laundry room. Now Grandma can enjoy the space and entertain the entire family when she chooses.

It’s common today to create multi-purpose spaces in your home. Whether it’s a home office and gym or a laundry and mudroom combo, families are looking to maximize every inch of space. We were called in to do just that for this local Amarillo homeowner and she knew exactly what she wanted, a matching addition to her existing brick ranch. This new space was needed to accommodate a private space for visiting guests throughout the year. Since this room would only be used occasionally as a bedroom, the homeowner also wished to use it as an exercise room. How can this be accomplished? With a murphy bed! We set out to design the addition to blend seamlessly with the existing house using the same windows, doors and exterior brick. Inside the addition, a Murphy bed is flanked with custom built-ins featuring open shelving on the top and cabinets on the bottom. The room overlooks the pool and has it’s own private entrance, separate from the main home. The adjoining bath features a tile shower with glass surround, a closet and two skylights. When not being used as a bedroom, the Murphy bed folds nicely into the wall and the floor space can be used for yoga or other floor exercises. The treadmill fits nicely in the room even when the bed is folded down.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Example of a mid-sized mountain style multiuse home gym design in Nashville

This Southern Traditional styled home located in Central is a 2-story with 4 bedrooms and 6 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 8,780 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 13,314 sq ft. The full 2-story home stretches along a large country lot, maximizing the views to the backyard and a pond. As you enter the entry foyer, a staircase turns above your head creating a paneled arched opening that leads you to the living room. To the left of the foyer is a study with white oak wood paneled walls. Hidden by the paneling is a murphy bed that can be pulled down for guests. To the right of the foyer is a formal dining room, which connects to the kitchen through a butler’s pantry. The kitchen comes with two islands and a breakfast nook with views of the front yard. Off the side of the kitchen is a keeping room, which has corner views to the backyard and access to an outdoor living area with vaulted wood truss ceilings and drop-down screens. Past the kitchen is a hallway that leads to the garage with rooms such as a large man cave and exercise room branching off it. The main living room has uninterrupted views to the backyard with large windows framing your sight line. From here you have access to a back porch that leads to the outdoor living area with a large fireplace, dining area, and kitchen, which all opens up to an infinity pool. Back inside past the living room, is a vestibule that will lead to the laundry room on the left and the master suite on the right. Upstairs are 3 more bedrooms, which all have their own ensuite bathrooms. All three have views looking down over the site with two having access to the front porch balcony. You will also find a large common area with views to the backyard pool and conditioned storage room.

This Southern Traditional styled home located in Central is a 2-story with 4 bedrooms and 6 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 8,780 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 13,314 sq ft. The full 2-story home stretches along a large country lot, maximizing the views to the backyard and a pond. As you enter the entry foyer, a staircase turns above your head creating a paneled arched opening that leads you to the living room. To the left of the foyer is a study with white oak wood paneled walls. Hidden by the paneling is a murphy bed that can be pulled down for guests. To the right of the foyer is a formal dining room, which connects to the kitchen through a butler’s pantry. The kitchen comes with two islands and a breakfast nook with views of the front yard. Off the side of the kitchen is a keeping room, which has corner views to the backyard and access to an outdoor living area with vaulted wood truss ceilings and drop-down screens. Past the kitchen is a hallway that leads to the garage with rooms such as a large man cave and exercise room branching off it. The main living room has uninterrupted views to the backyard with large windows framing your sight line. From here you have access to a back porch that leads to the outdoor living area with a large fireplace, dining area, and kitchen, which all opens up to an infinity pool. Back inside past the living room, is a vestibule that will lead to the laundry room on the left and the master suite on the right. Upstairs are 3 more bedrooms, which all have their own ensuite bathrooms. All three have views looking down over the site with two having access to the front porch balcony. You will also find a large common area with views to the backyard pool and conditioned storage room.

Battle Architects was hired to be the architect for a large vacation compound on Tips Cove, Lake Winnipesaukee. In our early discussions with the clients, their mantra to us was that they wanted to “love every inch.” From this beginning, Battle Architects worked closely with the clients and team carefully developing and coordinating every detail inside and out. The compound consists of a caretaker’s house and separate garage, utility garage, boathouse, and the main home. The main home was oriented and designed to enjoy the beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee. The exterior details were developed with a rustic tone which the clients loved, and the interior spaces were designed to accommodate large family gatherings and create great memories. The second floor has “pods” of bedrooms and bathrooms for each sibling’s family privacy with a couple of common areas for smaller gatherings. There is a private master suite, located on the first floor, with its own screened porch offering a gorgeous view of the lake. There is an easy flow through the kitchen, great room, and large screened porch accommodating large gatherings. The basement is a series of entertainment spaces – an exercise room, movie theater, bowling alley, game area, and bar area for the rainy days and warm nights where the family can gather and enjoy their time together. Big picture interior details were designed with a rustic feel inspired by projects such as Lake Placid Lodge. There were opportunities to create unique spaces such as the bowling alley which incorporates details inspired by Fenway Park. The exterior material palette is comprised of river rock, skirl siding, red cedar shingles, Douglas fir timber frame, and natural and painted trim. The interior material palette offers warmth and comfort with butternut, oak, hickory, and birch bark on the first floor; cherry, Douglas fir, and mahogany on the second floor; and oak, mahogany, alder, Douglas fir, and English walnut for the basement. Exterior details were developed with energy conservation in mind and acoustic details were developed throughout the home for privacy. Millwork and cabinetry were developed with a mill shop and artisan cabinetry and mantels were added as highlights in the home.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

This Southern Traditional styled home located in Central is a 2-story with 4 bedrooms and 6 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 8,780 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 13,314 sq ft. The full 2-story home stretches along a large country lot, maximizing the views to the backyard and a pond. As you enter the entry foyer, a staircase turns above your head creating a paneled arched opening that leads you to the living room. To the left of the foyer is a study with white oak wood paneled walls. Hidden by the paneling is a murphy bed that can be pulled down for guests. To the right of the foyer is a formal dining room, which connects to the kitchen through a butler’s pantry. The kitchen comes with two islands and a breakfast nook with views of the front yard. Off the side of the kitchen is a keeping room, which has corner views to the backyard and access to an outdoor living area with vaulted wood truss ceilings and drop-down screens. Past the kitchen is a hallway that leads to the garage with rooms such as a large man cave and exercise room branching off it. The main living room has uninterrupted views to the backyard with large windows framing your sight line. From here you have access to a back porch that leads to the outdoor living area with a large fireplace, dining area, and kitchen, which all opens up to an infinity pool. Back inside past the living room, is a vestibule that will lead to the laundry room on the left and the master suite on the right. Upstairs are 3 more bedrooms, which all have their own ensuite bathrooms. All three have views looking down over the site with two having access to the front porch balcony. You will also find a large common area with views to the backyard pool and conditioned storage room.

A gymnasium, indoor pool, kitchen and exercise area blend with other common spaces to form a functional yet dynamic whole.
Inspiration for a large timeless indoor stone and rectangular lap pool house remodel in Seattle

AV Architects + Builders Location: Tysons, VA, USA The Home for Life project was customized around our client’s lifestyle so that he could enjoy the home for many years to come. Designed with empty nesters and baby boomers in mind, our custom design used a different approach to the disparity of square footage on each floor. The main level measures out at 2,300 square feet while the lower and upper levels of the home measure out at 1000 square feet each, respectively. The open floor plan of the main level features a master suite and master bath, personal office, kitchen and dining areas, and a two-car garage that opens to a mudroom and laundry room. The upper level features two generously sized en-suite bedrooms while the lower level features an extra guest room with a full bath and an exercise/rec room. The backyard offers 800 square feet of travertine patio with an elegant outdoor kitchen, while the front entry has a covered 300 square foot porch with custom landscape lighting. The biggest challenge of the project was dealing with the size of the lot, measuring only a ¼ acre. Because the majority of square footage was dedicated to the main floor, we had to make sure that the main rooms had plenty of natural lighting. Our solution was to place the public spaces (Great room and outdoor patio) facing south, and the more private spaces (Bedrooms) facing north. The common misconception with small homes is that they cannot factor in everything the homeowner wants. With our custom design, we created an open concept space that features all the amenities of a luxury lifestyle in a home measuring a total of 4300 square feet. Jim Tetro Architectural Photography

This Southern Traditional styled home located in Central is a 2-story with 4 bedrooms and 6 ½ baths. The square footage for the conditioned spaces is 8,780 sq ft and the total under roof square footage is 13,314 sq ft. The full 2-story home stretches along a large country lot, maximizing the views to the backyard and a pond. As you enter the entry foyer, a staircase turns above your head creating a paneled arched opening that leads you to the living room. To the left of the foyer is a study with white oak wood paneled walls. Hidden by the paneling is a murphy bed that can be pulled down for guests. To the right of the foyer is a formal dining room, which connects to the kitchen through a butler’s pantry. The kitchen comes with two islands and a breakfast nook with views of the front yard. Off the side of the kitchen is a keeping room, which has corner views to the backyard and access to an outdoor living area with vaulted wood truss ceilings and drop-down screens. Past the kitchen is a hallway that leads to the garage with rooms such as a large man cave and exercise room branching off it. The main living room has uninterrupted views to the backyard with large windows framing your sight line. From here you have access to a back porch that leads to the outdoor living area with a large fireplace, dining area, and kitchen, which all opens up to an infinity pool. Back inside past the living room, is a vestibule that will lead to the laundry room on the left and the master suite on the right. Upstairs are 3 more bedrooms, which all have their own ensuite bathrooms. All three have views looking down over the site with two having access to the front porch balcony. You will also find a large common area with views to the backyard pool and conditioned storage room.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith