Ego is an intriguing customizable mirror, characterized by pure and rigorous design and conceived like a magnetic blackboard where it is possible to apply daily useful objects and move them on its whole surface as required, like in a sort of game. The accessories slide and become integrated with the mirror surface: the toothbrush shelf in neoprene, the magnifying mirror and the clock can be moved without boundaries and left to the free interpretation of everyone.

This four floor 3 bedroom house was conceived as a light filled in-town fortress for a global journalist adventurer. Its rugged vocabulary consists of custom details in wood, metal, stained plaster, concrete and masonry. At its heart is a soaring 2-story living room library, framed by massive structural beams, and housing exotic trophies, maps, cameras equipment and firearms. The articulated open riser stair leads up to rooftop study mounted on a ship-like deck, reaching to distant views.

Conceived of as a C-shaped house with a small private courtyard and a large private rear yard, this new house maximizes the floor area available to build on this smaller Palo Alto lot. An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) integrated into the main structure gave a floor area bonus. For now, it will be used for visiting relatives. One challenge of this design was keeping a low profile and proportional design while still meeting the FEMA flood plain requirement that the finished floor start about 3′ above grade. The new house has four bedrooms (including the attached ADU), a separate family room with a window seat, a music room, a prayer room, and a large living space that opens to the private small courtyard as well as a large covered patio at the rear. Mature trees around the perimeter of the lot were preserved, and new ones planted, for private indoor-outdoor living. C-shaped house, New home, ADU, Palo Alto, CA, courtyard, KA Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova, Lucie Danigo
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers
Landscape Architect: Outer Space Landscape Architects
Contractor: Coast to Coast Development
Photography: ©2023 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022 Location: Palo Alto, CA

Focus was placed on the aesthetic, as well as on the function. One important characteristic of the project was conceiving the house as a refuge, a cozy place after a tiring day of work and an oasis of silence in the urban chaos. Personality and individuality were infused by custom made furniture (adjusted to the dimensions of the rooms for rational use of space), well-chosen statement furniture pieces (dining table, wall clock, lighting, nightstands, vanity desk chair, etc.) and attention to details. Breaking the monotony was accomplished by unexpected combinations of textures and materials: slate on the furniture fronts, wood, painted MDF, cow leather carpet. The main stylistic direction is given by elegant lines that evoke Classicism but strongly anchored into the present day, while at the same time maintaining simple and clean graphics. Good communication with the beneficiaries led to an interior design concept that emphasizes the qualities of their home.

Steel wall mounted shelving and work table island by Slab Fab Studio with Jim Ojamaa. Conceived by Kelin Perry
Example of a minimalist home design design in Atlanta

Situated on a heavily wooded site at the edge of the Housatonic river, this 3,000 square foot house is conceived as a fragment of a New England village. While each room is connected to the rest of the house through interior hallways, the house appears from the outside to be a cluster of small buildings. Clad in weathered wood, the house seems to emerge naturally from the landscape. Shaded by a simple cedar pergola, a path runs along the front of the house, connecting the garage to the entry. A second pergola defines the edge of a formal parterre garden, creating a courtyard that seems to have been carved from the surrounding forest. Through the woods it is possible to catch glimpses of the river below.

SDH Studio - Architecture and Design Location: North Miami Beach, Florida, USA Set on a 15000 Sq. Ft. lot overlooking Sky Lake, this home was conceived as an intimate enclave. With a minimalistic approach, the architecture gathers strength from cantilevering planes and the innovative use of stucco textures.

A rare and secluded paradise, the Woodvale Estate is a true modern masterpiece perfect to impress even the most discerning of clientele. At the pinnacle of luxury, this one-of-a-kind new construction features all the modern amenities that one could ever dream of. Situated on an expansive and lush over 35,000 square foot lot with truly unparalleled privacy, this modern estate boasts over 21,000 square feet of meticulously crafted and designer done living space. Behind the hedged, walled, and gated entry find a large motor court leading into the jaw-dropping entryway to this majestic modern marvel. Superlative features include chef's prep kitchen, home theater, professional gym, full spa, hair salon, elevator, temperature-controlled wine storage, 14 car garage that doubles as an event space, outdoor basketball court, and fabulous detached two-story guesthouse. The primary bedroom suite offers a perfectly picturesque escape complete with massive dual walk-in closets, dual spa-like baths, massive outdoor patio, romantic fireplace, and separate private balcony with hot tub. With a truly optimal layout for enjoying the best modern amenities and embracing the California lifestyle, the open floor plan provides spacious living, dining, and family rooms and open entertainer's kitchen with large chef's island, breakfast bar, state-of-the-art appliances, and motorized sliding glass doors for the ultimate enjoyment with ease, class, and sophistication. Enjoy every conceivable amenity and luxury afforded in this truly magnificent and awe-inspiring property that simply put, stands in a class all its own.

The house embraced the goals of sustaining as much of the natural environment as possible. It requires that Architects and Builders design and build with a scalpel, not an axe so views are achieved without unnecessary destruction of the site. The result is a home nestled into the woods much like the oldest cabins and retreats built were conceived and constructed on the lake.

The project was originally conceived as a single storey addition with renovations to the kitchen and master suite. By completion, the project had encompassed a full renovation of the building and surrounding landscape.

Beverly Hills based clients commissioned a vacation home for their family in Malibu, CA. Together with world renowned interior designer John Cottrell, we conceived a 10,000 sq. ft. Pennsylvania Stone Farm House. The stone was quarried from the Midwest and is complemented by a steep French slate roof. The site is situated on a 2 1/2 acre bluff with a panoramic view stretching from Paradise Cove to Catalina Island. This resplendent retreat immediately relaxes the mind and body as one is lead from the circular drive court through an arched portico with paneled wood gates into a quiet lawned courtyard. The garden and reflective lap pool and spa are sheltered from harsh elements by the two wings of the house. A glass French lite Dutch entrance door is discretely located at the end of an outdoor colonnade. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Designer: John Cottrell Landscape Designer: Doug Levy Construction: David Moline Builders

The owners of this custom 1980’s contemporary home were ready for a new look that they aim to achieve in several phases. Their first priority was reimagining three bathrooms: a powder room, guest bath, and master bath. The original bathrooms were dark and in a grim brown palette. Renovations included new windows and a new gray-and-white palette with accents of warm clear-finished Sapele (in the form of custom, floating vanities), and brushed-nickel hardware. Each renovated bathroom was conceived to be a unique modern design within the new overall palette. The tiny power room includes an underwater enveloping wallpaper from Hygge & West. The guest bath boasts a herringbone gray-and-white encaustic floor tile, and the master bathroom gained a new window opening, full-height wall tile, and a generous custom walk-in shower. Next phases will likely include a new garage, new entry, and exterior makeover.

This private residence in Toronto has the distinction of being the first building in North America to be conceived and built from the ground up using the principles of BioGeometry®. Built to the highest standards, it is a true “green” building, green in the context of being true to nature and sensitive to Earth’s demands. The application of BioGeometry® has created a habitat that promotes a frequency of optimum health and well-being for the occupants. Blending with the neighbouring houses (as required by the Building Department) and built with natural materials, this home is a beacon of health, affecting the surrounding neighbourhood. The BioGeometric principles used in the design and construction allow the house to have a positive effect on pollution and on any deleterious EMF emissions caused by high-tension wires and cellphone towers.

Description: In early 1994, the architects began work on the project and while in construction (demolition, grading and foundations) the owner, due to circumstances beyond his control, halted all construction of the project. Seven years later the owner returned to the architects and asked them to complete the partially constructed house. Due to code changes, city ordinances and a wide variety of obstacles it was determined that the house was unable to be completed as originally designed. After much consideration the client asked the architect if it were possible to alter/remodel the partially constructed house, which was a remodel/addition to a 1970’s ranch style house, into a project that fit into current zoning and structural codes. The owner also requested that the house’s footprint and partially constructed foundations remain to avoid the need for further entitlements and delays on an already long overdue and difficult hillside site. The architects’ main challenge was how to alter the design that reflected an outdated philosophical approach to architecture that was nearly a decade old. How could the house be re-conceived reflecting the architect and client’s maturity on a ten-year-old footprint? The answer was to remove almost all of the previously proposed existing interior walls and transform the existing footprint into a pavilion-like structure that allows the site to in a sense “pass through the house”. This allowed the client to take better advantage of a limited and restricted building area while capturing extraordinary panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood Hills. Large 22-foot high custom sliding glass doors allow the interior and exterior to become one. Even the studio is separated from the house and connected only by an exterior bridge. Private spaces are treated as loft-like spaces capturing volume and views while maintaining privacy. Limestone floors extend from inside to outside and into the lap pool that runs the entire length of the house creating a horizon line at the edge of the view. Other natural materials such as board formed concrete, copper, steel and cherry provides softness to the objects that seem to float within the interior volume. By placing objects and materials "outside the frame," a new frame of reference deepens our sense of perception. Art does not reproduce what we see; rather it makes us see.

Sentinel stretches across the brow of a winding grade break high above the Napa Valley. This seasonal residence was conceived as an agrarian compound which draws inspiration from its agricultural roots and takes a leap forward in innovative construction and a modern expression of timber and steel craft. A gently curving gravel drive circuits the lower end of the vineyard, announcing the arrival on the property. The drive slowly straightens to align with the vineyard rows to the North and the long axis of the residential structures to the South. Three gable-end barn forms follow the ordered lines of the vineyard to one side, and on the other, hug the rock-lined edge of the forest. Flanked by main residence and guest residence on either side, the taller, middle barn structure steps back from the forest to form a broad terrace. An elegant trellised colonnade threads through the three buildings, providing shade and dappled light to the terrace – a private place for food and wine to be enjoyed overlooking the magnificent valley below.

6511 S. Flagler Drive is recognized as one of the most aesthetically appealing waterfront homes in the Palm Beaches. This masterful contemporary design, conceived by In-Site Design Group architects, provides for effortless modern living and entertainment by combining expansive interior and exterior spaces that maximize function and beautiful eastern views across a 2/3 mile wide expanse of the intracoastal waterway. Situated on .64 acres, the home offers sufficient rear lawn space to accommodate multiple outdoor activities, a spacious pool deck, a separate shade structure that houses an outdoor kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and fire pit. In addition to the nearly 7,200 sqft of air conditioned living space, the home boasts nearly 1,200 sqft of open and covered second floor terraces

The new construction luxury home was designed by our Carmel design-build studio with the concept of 'hygge' in mind – crafting a soothing environment that exudes warmth, contentment, and coziness without being overly ornate or cluttered. Inspired by Scandinavian style, the design incorporates clean lines and minimal decoration, set against soaring ceilings and walls of windows. These features are all enhanced by warm finishes, tactile textures, statement light fixtures, and carefully selected art pieces. In the living room, a bold statement wall was incorporated, making use of the 4-sided, 2-story fireplace chase, which was enveloped in large format marble tile. Each bedroom was crafted to reflect a unique character, featuring elegant wallpapers, decor, and luxurious furnishings. The primary bathroom was characterized by dark enveloping walls and floors, accentuated by teak, and included a walk-through dual shower, overhead rain showers, and a natural stone soaking tub. An open-concept kitchen was fitted, boasting state-of-the-art features and statement-making lighting. Adding an extra touch of sophistication, a beautiful basement space was conceived, housing an exquisite home bar and a comfortable lounge area. ---Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/modern-scandinavian-luxury-home-westfield/

In Sioux Falls, homeowners sought to establish a versatile poolside patio area, capable of maximizing the summer season's enjoyment while offering protection against winter weather and precipitation. Azenco, renowned for its expertise, collaborated with its regional dealer, Concrete Outdoor Living, to conceive a sophisticated patio design. This design incorporates an elegant pergola system equipped with an adjustable roof mechanism. This innovative feature allows for the creation of shade during the warmer months, effective rain shielding, and the capacity to withstand winter snow. The Concrete Outdoor Living team carefully selected and incorporated robust concrete patio furniture designed to endure for an extended period, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the inclusion of a gas fire feature not only adds to the evening ambiance but also provides additional warmth in colder weather, making the space enjoyable throughout the year. This well-rounded design approach ensures that the patio serves as a delightful and adaptable outdoor living space.

The dining is flanked by the two exterior spaces, and a fold-slide door system by La Cantina allow for a complete indoor-outdoor flow in this space. A specialty Italian light fixture by Artemide is conceived to play with the projections of its own light and shadows onto the ceiling.