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.

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.

Welcome home to this luxe, modern, and inviting townhome in the heart of downtown Jersey City! We are ecstatic to see this project completed. This 4-story multifamily underwent a major renovation and was transformed into a spacious and functional family home for our clients. Careful consideration of our client’s lifestyle and plans for the future dictated every design decision. They needed a space that would function well now that they are a young professional couple and a space that would nicely accommodate a growing family in the future. Greater emphasis was placed on common family spaces and bedrooms were designed exclusively for sleep with minimal room for work or study and without TV connections to discourage those activities from taking place in these spaces. Instead, common places such as the family room and the kitchen are inviting and foster those activities. Due to sagging floors in need of extensive repair, it made more financial sense to replace them entirely. We took this historic house and by re-pitching the roof in an inverted form we were able to gain an overall 36” which we used for raising the floors. This, in turn, allowed us to bring the ground level up to code and be suitable for living space and gave us additional ceiling room on the upper floors. The ground floor was designed to be used as a rental unit and can be reincorporated into the home later when more space is needed. Both front and back facades were replaced with timeless brick and vertical wood siding and all windows and front doors were replaced. The ground floor features a one-bedroom suite, living room, and open kitchen-dining area. On the first floor, we achieved a more effective entry sequence to the living room, an open-concept design leading to the kitchen. The interior is bright and airy, and the kitchen opens up to the deck in the back and the patio, making entertaining indoors and outdoors seamless. The design works in a way to accommodate the addition of a stair leading to the ground level when the rental unit is incorporated back into the house. Up on the second floor, a suite with a bathroom was designed with grandparents or guests in mind. Also, two additional bedrooms are now being used as an exercise room and a zoom-worthy office but can later be used as kids’ rooms. Last but not least, the third floor features the master suite with his and hers walk-in closets, a master bath, and a library.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Welcome home to this luxe, modern, and inviting townhome in the heart of downtown Jersey City! We are ecstatic to see this project completed. This 4-story multifamily underwent a major renovation and was transformed into a spacious and functional family home for our clients. Careful consideration of our client’s lifestyle and plans for the future dictated every design decision. They needed a space that would function well now that they are a young professional couple and a space that would nicely accommodate a growing family in the future. Greater emphasis was placed on common family spaces and bedrooms were designed exclusively for sleep with minimal room for work or study and without TV connections to discourage those activities from taking place in these spaces. Instead, common places such as the family room and the kitchen are inviting and foster those activities. Due to sagging floors in need of extensive repair, it made more financial sense to replace them entirely. We took this historic house and by re-pitching the roof in an inverted form we were able to gain an overall 36” which we used for raising the floors. This, in turn, allowed us to bring the ground level up to code and be suitable for living space and gave us additional ceiling room on the upper floors. The ground floor was designed to be used as a rental unit and can be reincorporated into the home later when more space is needed. Both front and back facades were replaced with timeless brick and vertical wood siding and all windows and front doors were replaced. The ground floor features a one-bedroom suite, living room, and open kitchen-dining area. On the first floor, we achieved a more effective entry sequence to the living room, an open-concept design leading to the kitchen. The interior is bright and airy, and the kitchen opens up to the deck in the back and the patio, making entertaining indoors and outdoors seamless. The design works in a way to accommodate the addition of a stair leading to the ground level when the rental unit is incorporated back into the house. Up on the second floor, a suite with a bathroom was designed with grandparents or guests in mind. Also, two additional bedrooms are now being used as an exercise room and a zoom-worthy office but can later be used as kids’ rooms. Last but not least, the third floor features the master suite with his and hers walk-in closets, a master bath, and a library.

Integrated exercise room and office space, entertainment room with minibar and bubble chair, play room with under the stairs cool doll house, steam bath

Welcome home to this luxe, modern, and inviting townhome in the heart of downtown Jersey City! We are ecstatic to see this project completed. This 4-story multifamily underwent a major renovation and was transformed into a spacious and functional family home for our clients. Careful consideration of our client’s lifestyle and plans for the future dictated every design decision. They needed a space that would function well now that they are a young professional couple and a space that would nicely accommodate a growing family in the future. Greater emphasis was placed on common family spaces and bedrooms were designed exclusively for sleep with minimal room for work or study and without TV connections to discourage those activities from taking place in these spaces. Instead, common places such as the family room and the kitchen are inviting and foster those activities. Due to sagging floors in need of extensive repair, it made more financial sense to replace them entirely. We took this historic house and by re-pitching the roof in an inverted form we were able to gain an overall 36” which we used for raising the floors. This, in turn, allowed us to bring the ground level up to code and be suitable for living space and gave us additional ceiling room on the upper floors. The ground floor was designed to be used as a rental unit and can be reincorporated into the home later when more space is needed. Both front and back facades were replaced with timeless brick and vertical wood siding and all windows and front doors were replaced. The ground floor features a one-bedroom suite, living room, and open kitchen-dining area. On the first floor, we achieved a more effective entry sequence to the living room, an open-concept design leading to the kitchen. The interior is bright and airy, and the kitchen opens up to the deck in the back and the patio, making entertaining indoors and outdoors seamless. The design works in a way to accommodate the addition of a stair leading to the ground level when the rental unit is incorporated back into the house. Up on the second floor, a suite with a bathroom was designed with grandparents or guests in mind. Also, two additional bedrooms are now being used as an exercise room and a zoom-worthy office but can later be used as kids’ rooms. Last but not least, the third floor features the master suite with his and hers walk-in closets, a master bath, and a library.

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.