This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

SHEEX® PRO • COTTON Performance Sheets amp up the performance of traditional bedding through innovative, technical SLEEP•TECHTM fabric advancements in temperature regulation, breathability, and moisture wicking. Traditional sheets trap excess heat against your body, which makes you hot and sweaty and, consequently, causes you to wake up in soaking wet sheets. SHEEX® PRO•COTTON offers the familiar comfort of cotton that you love with the added benefit of patented TransDRY® technology to release excess heat and wick moisture away from your body. You stay cooler, drier and more comfortable throughout the night, and you will sleep better and stay asleep longer.

Complete Hillside Backyard Renovation, El Paso – by GoDesigns This breathtaking backyard transformation in the historic area of El Paso, Texas, is a shining example of GoDesigns’ vision, expertise, and resilience. Situated on a challenging hillside property, the original backyard installed in 2005 was plagued by critical design flaws that led to a complete failure of the outdoor space. The existing negative edge pool, improperly installed with insufficient grade, drainage, and support, caused massive water loss and structural issues. The consequences were severe — the side rock wall broke in half, the backyard destabilized, and even a portion of the house was compromised. GoDesigns was brought in to turn crisis into opportunity. During the height of COVID-19, they launched Phase 1 of a multi-phase master plan to restore and reinvent the space. The entire backyard was demolished, including the compromised pool shell. The broken negative edge section was filled in, making way for a reimagined pool design. A new, reinforced pool structure was shot, finished with 5cm tumbled travertine coping, oversized mossrock boulders, new waterline tile, and a premium PebbleTec interior. Beneath the beauty lies smart engineering: GoDesigns replaced all plumbing and regraded the property, applying subsurface remediation and compaction techniques to ensure long-term stability. A new rocksalt steel reinforced concrete deck was poured, replacing the narrow wraparound layout with a spacious, functional outdoor living area. Now, the family enjoys ample room for chaise lounges, alfresco dining, and relaxing by the existing outdoor fireplace — luxuries they never had before. GoDesigns didn’t stop there. Advanced drainage systems — including underground piping, box drains, and planter drains — were installed to protect the integrity of the hillside. These systems are integrated into leveled planters that not only beautify the space but also reinforce the structure of the pool and surrounding terrain. Phase 2 focused on upgrading the patio directly outside the main house, while Phase 3 was the final touch — a lush landscape planting plan paired with elegant outdoor lighting to enhance ambiance and curb appeal. What was once a scene of despair is now a luxurious retreat — completed in thoughtfully timed phases over four years. Thanks to GoDesigns’ master planning and unwavering commitment, this hillside haven is a true testament to transformation. The clients are now looking forward to their next chapter: the front yard.

Shou sugi ban, the Japanese art of burning wood to weatherproof it, has caught on recently as a treatment for contemporary furnishings and exteriors. The blackening and consequently the wire-brushing of the charred surface of the wood, reveals the clean distinct lines of the grain, and creates a rich brownish-black color. A color extension of 9479 Wide Planked Walnut, Blackened Planked Walnut reveals the rich and complex quality of walnut. Order a sample now.

The BG winery was the subject of a renovation in order to improve for the needs of its visitors. The famous and delicious wine presentations and tastings are the main attractions at this fabulous place. Therefore, we placed the bar in front of the entrance to be directly seen when entering. As a decorative element it is featuring displays of soils. Because the groups of visitor vary in size, but also because the space is used as an exquisite breakfast area for the guests of the nearby inn, we came up with a new idea: The division of the space by a glass wall. Consequently, this results in an event space or a private dining room. The convertible approach adds flexibility and dynamic to the whole place. Furthermore, we enabled the large hallway of the winery going towards the restrooms to be used as a wardrobe for larger gatherings. Meanwhile, the additional room serves as a VIP lounge for only the finest guests. The design team took everything into consideration while preparing layouts, developing individual objects and finetuning details: clients’ needs, the nice location and the usage of the attractive space. We designed in detail all furniture elements, while using reclaimed wood from old wine barrels for table tops and accent walls. In this regard the winery as a location of joy and community feels and breathes authentic. The whole interior design is rustic with fine touches of modern, resulting in a suiting atmosphere. As for the color scheme, we proposed a pastel blue as a contrast to the reclaimed wood. Touches of color in the Patchwork tiles around the bar area and a mixture of hand-made lamps mix to roud up the rustic vibe. Share your ideas for your location with us in a brief introductory call, free of charge.

SHEEX® PRO • COTTON Performance Sheets amp up the performance of traditional bedding through innovative, technical SLEEP•TECHTM fabric advancements in temperature regulation, breathability, and moisture wicking. Traditional sheets trap excess heat against your body, which makes you hot and sweaty and, consequently, causes you to wake up in soaking wet sheets. SHEEX® PRO•COTTON offers the familiar comfort of cotton that you love with the added benefit of patented TransDRY® technology to release excess heat and wick moisture away from your body. You stay cooler, drier and more comfortable throughout the night, and you will sleep better and stay asleep longer.

Complete Hillside Backyard Renovation, El Paso – by GoDesigns This breathtaking backyard transformation in the historic area of El Paso, Texas, is a shining example of GoDesigns’ vision, expertise, and resilience. Situated on a challenging hillside property, the original backyard installed in 2005 was plagued by critical design flaws that led to a complete failure of the outdoor space. The existing negative edge pool, improperly installed with insufficient grade, drainage, and support, caused massive water loss and structural issues. The consequences were severe — the side rock wall broke in half, the backyard destabilized, and even a portion of the house was compromised. GoDesigns was brought in to turn crisis into opportunity. During the height of COVID-19, they launched Phase 1 of a multi-phase master plan to restore and reinvent the space. The entire backyard was demolished, including the compromised pool shell. The broken negative edge section was filled in, making way for a reimagined pool design. A new, reinforced pool structure was shot, finished with 5cm tumbled travertine coping, oversized mossrock boulders, new waterline tile, and a premium PebbleTec interior. Beneath the beauty lies smart engineering: GoDesigns replaced all plumbing and regraded the property, applying subsurface remediation and compaction techniques to ensure long-term stability. A new rocksalt steel reinforced concrete deck was poured, replacing the narrow wraparound layout with a spacious, functional outdoor living area. Now, the family enjoys ample room for chaise lounges, alfresco dining, and relaxing by the existing outdoor fireplace — luxuries they never had before. GoDesigns didn’t stop there. Advanced drainage systems — including underground piping, box drains, and planter drains — were installed to protect the integrity of the hillside. These systems are integrated into leveled planters that not only beautify the space but also reinforce the structure of the pool and surrounding terrain. Phase 2 focused on upgrading the patio directly outside the main house, while Phase 3 was the final touch — a lush landscape planting plan paired with elegant outdoor lighting to enhance ambiance and curb appeal. What was once a scene of despair is now a luxurious retreat — completed in thoughtfully timed phases over four years. Thanks to GoDesigns’ master planning and unwavering commitment, this hillside haven is a true testament to transformation. The clients are now looking forward to their next chapter: the front yard.

German Embassy in Pristina - Kosovo, contracted the architecture office “Ferizi + Ferizi Architects” to plan and implement an Annex Office building for their purposes. As detached part of this building is designed the waiting area, as alone standing structure. This Office Building is constructed by assembling of Eight used office containers that were delivered on trucks and set up after only a few hours on the basis of the LEGO principle, according to the planning on strip foundations. By removing the flexible exterior wall panels, a large room of 115 m² was created, with the counter wall as a room partition between two office spaces, each with seven workstations as well as three counters for agents on one side and a room for visitors on the other side. With this system, room solutions can be easily implemented in all dimensions. The container, seen as a geometric shape, is a simple, octagonal, solid box. The standardized perfection of its dimensions is striking: 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high and 6.06 meters or 12.19 meters long. Since its introduction in 1956 by the American transport entrepreneur Malcom McLean, the container has become a standardized transport module worldwide, whether on ships, trucks or construction sites. The shipping containers have additionally revolutionized the transport industry, pushed the globalization noticeably, and thus directly or indirectly influenced all our lives. But after only a few years, when the first overseas containers wore out, many engineers recognized the positive properties of used shipping containers for building houses, especially since they are robust, flexible, multifunctional and second-hand relatively inexpensive to purchase. The time has long passed by to treat containers exclusively as transport objects. As a "measure of all things", containers can hardly be ignored in construction. Their use is no longer limited to temporary use since school containers, information containers, office containers or entire residential buildings are now part of our everyday life in the construction industry. However, current examples of the container architecture prove that even the most demanding solutions for container building are feasible. For their specific aesthetic and spatial qualities, containers also serve as design parameters for the development of new forms of architecture and urbanity. The office building as an extension of the visa section, characterized by modern materials and contemporary aesthetics has been designed and built mainly as a low-energy building. Extensive insulation to achieve a comfortable and sustainable constant temperature in the interior, high window quality and low energy consumption make the building energy-efficient. The sophisticated lighting technology, networks, heating systems and air-conditioning systems are also components of this equipment. It creates an overall harmonic picture and guarantees the highest standard in sustainable construction, taking into consideration the fact that environmentally friendly recycling and reutilization have become an increasingly important issue in our society. West and East side of the wooden facade is compact and has few openings, while the southern facade is completely open with lot of glass. Its spatial openness ensures a transparent, friendly work environment, which allows a lot of light into the space. This openness allows an uninterrupted, pleasant and close-to-nature view from interior spaces into the beautiful garden. During the installation of sophisticated light sources in the garden, emphasis was not only put on functionality and security, but also on the beauty of the garden shown through the illumination in the evening. Large, horizontal white “brisole” serve as external sun protection systems, mounted on the canopies of the entrance areas of the modular construction and the enclosure, adeptly cast shade on these areas and at the same time shape the entire architectural language. While on one hand, the two quadratic ledges suspended in the air, are docked with steel stairs and match the wooden façade, lead the staff to their office space, the artful modern interior, on the other hand, perfectly unites the functionality, innovative technology, culture and positive effects on the employees' efficiency and wellbeing. A lot of white, interjected by warm wooden and colored accents, determines the ambience. In the case of the lighting solution, the mainly linear ceiling lighting is used as the overlapping design element both for the offices of the visa section as well as for the counters and the waiting area for the visitors. They underline the puristic design in order to create a pleasant light for a desired general illumination and ensure optimal light conditions without causing disturbing reflections on the computer screens. In addition, precisely positioned pendant luminaires are installed at the workstations, which ensure pleasant room brightness. In the entrance area, the harmonic and uniform lighting effect from the ground highlights the integration of photography and architecture. Photographs of landscapes, people, places, expressing unforgettable, impressive moments and memories have been lovingly engraved on 8 x 8cm square oak blocks. The idea of an effective, impressive environment that stimulates and inspires the work was the premiss on which the whole design concept was based. Consequently, the modular construction was no longer viewed through its history of utilization and scars, but rather as a structure of work ambiance, art and elegance. FERIZI + FERIZI Architects Photo: Arben Llapashtica

Sharifi-ha House Uncertainty and flexibility lie at the heart of the design concept in Sharifi-ha House. The sensational, spatial qualities of the interiors, as well as the formal configuration of its exterior, directly respond to the displacement of turning boxes that lead the building volume to become open or closed, obtaining introverted or extroverted character. These changes may occur according to changing seasons or functional scenarios of floor plans. Like many other urban plots, the land for this project had a noticeably narrow façade-width compared with its length. Consequently, our expertise in transforming a two-dimensional façade to a three-dimensional one became indispensable. Here, the openness /closure of the building volume is a reference to traditional Iranian houses, which would dynamically serve as seasonal modes of habitation by offering both a Zemestan-Neshin (winter living room) and Taabestan-Neshin (summer living room) to their residents. In summertime, Sharifi-ha House offers an open /transparent /perforated volume with wide, large terraces. In contrast, during Tehran’s cold, snowy winters the volume closes itself, offering minimal openings in total absence of those wide summer terraces. In this project, the challenges to the concepts of open/closed typology (introverted/extroverted character) led to an exciting spatial transformation of an ever-changing residential building. The House is distributed over seven floors: the two basement floors are allocated to family conviviality, fitness facilities, and wellness areas, while the ground floor hosts parking and housekeeping rooms. Public activities all happen on the first and second floors, and the family’s private life takes place on the third and fourth floors. The project consisted of four major parts; the fixed volume of the structure, the void, and the fixed volume and the mobile volume, respectively. When the turning boxes are closed, the building captures sunlight throughout the space of the central void, which also connects the two fixed volumes by suspended bridges. The house adapts to the functional needs of its residents. For instance, depending on whether there is a guest or not, the guest room (located on the second floor) can be reconfigured for different purposes. Similarly, home office and breakfast room (turning rooms on the first and third floors) can change the formality of their appearance according to their residents’ desire. In other words, there is always the possibility of having different seasonal or lighting scenarios, some of which have been already considered in the BMS program of the project. From the initial design steps, we noticed that three pine trees outside could be incorporated into the spaces of the interior. Now, in the open mode of the house, the trees are pleasantly captured by the window frames. Stepping back for about three meters from the permitted construction boundary line allowed us to provide splendid daylight for the basement floors by inserting a glass fountain. The fitness and wellness areas are accommodated between this fountain and the basement pool where reflective installations reverberate the water’s radiance all over the space. The applied manufacturing technique for the turning mechanism was in fact a simple one; the same method which is currently employed in turning theatrical scenes, turning the floor of car exhibitions, steel companies and the shipping industry in Iran. But as our client himself was into importing CNC and other similar industrial German machines, he preferred the structural system to be fabricated in Germany. In doing so, he could engage his employees in the manufacturing process and thus train them for future maintenance purposes. Details of the handrails and air-penetration controlling methods were major issues considered in developing the design of the turning boxes. Designing foldable handrails and refining the edges of the boxes happened to be our feasible solutions. Considering the specialties of this kind of architecture, the structural system was inevitably a customized one. After digitally modeling the structure, a series of SAP2000 analysis were undertaken to examine static/dynamic performance of the proposed system. Being partially moveable is the dominant feature of this structural assembly, which was contemplated throughout the fabrication process by the German manufacturer company. The main loads all rest on the beams of the living rooms. Due to the various configurations the turning boxes may take, the loading calculation has been estimated based on the largest possible loading value applied to the system. Additionally, in order to prevent structural deformation controlling the probable vibrations in the turning boxes was taken into account during the design/calculations of the structure. The house was titled Sharifi-ha House, in honor of traditional Iranian mansions.

Beach style home design photo in Tampa

For those who prefer light-colored floors but do not wish for the consequent atmospheric coolness, Margot is the perfect solution: a light-colored floor that radiates an aura of warmth. In contrast to Sanzio and Burano, smooth and sophisticated Margot pursues a sense of unity, blurring the lines between floor planksboards. With its mellow texture and pleasantly bright ambience, Margot emanates an intoxicating impression of serene bliss.

This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2017 Houzz
Eclectic living room photo in New Orleans

SHEEX® PRO • COTTON Performance Sheets amp up the performance of traditional bedding through innovative, technical SLEEP•TECHTM fabric advancements in temperature regulation, breathability, and moisture wicking. Traditional sheets trap excess heat against your body, which makes you hot and sweaty and, consequently, causes you to wake up in soaking wet sheets. SHEEX® PRO•COTTON offers the familiar comfort of cotton that you love with the added benefit of patented TransDRY® technology to release excess heat and wick moisture away from your body. You stay cooler, drier and more comfortable throughout the night, and you will sleep better and stay asleep longer.

The BG winery was the subject of a renovation in order to improve for the needs of its visitors. The famous and delicious wine presentations and tastings are the main attractions at this fabulous place. Therefore, we placed the bar in front of the entrance to be directly seen when entering. As a decorative element it is featuring displays of soils. Because the groups of visitor vary in size, but also because the space is used as an exquisite breakfast area for the guests of the nearby inn, we came up with a new idea: The division of the space by a glass wall. Consequently, this results in an event space or a private dining room. The convertible approach adds flexibility and dynamic to the whole place. Furthermore, we enabled the large hallway of the winery going towards the restrooms to be used as a wardrobe for larger gatherings. Meanwhile, the additional room serves as a VIP lounge for only the finest guests. The design team took everything into consideration while preparing layouts, developing individual objects and finetuning details: clients’ needs, the nice location and the usage of the attractive space. We designed in detail all furniture elements, while using reclaimed wood from old wine barrels for table tops and accent walls. In this regard the winery as a location of joy and community feels and breathes authentic. The whole interior design is rustic with fine touches of modern, resulting in a suiting atmosphere. As for the color scheme, we proposed a pastel blue as a contrast to the reclaimed wood. Touches of color in the Patchwork tiles around the bar area and a mixture of hand-made lamps mix to roud up the rustic vibe. Share your ideas for your location with us in a brief introductory call, free of charge.

German Embassy in Pristina - Kosovo, contracted the architecture office “Ferizi + Ferizi Architects” to plan and implement an Annex Office building for their purposes. As detached part of this building is designed the waiting area, as alone standing structure. This Office Building is constructed by assembling of Eight used office containers that were delivered on trucks and set up after only a few hours on the basis of the LEGO principle, according to the planning on strip foundations. By removing the flexible exterior wall panels, a large room of 115 m² was created, with the counter wall as a room partition between two office spaces, each with seven workstations as well as three counters for agents on one side and a room for visitors on the other side. With this system, room solutions can be easily implemented in all dimensions. The container, seen as a geometric shape, is a simple, octagonal, solid box. The standardized perfection of its dimensions is striking: 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high and 6.06 meters or 12.19 meters long. Since its introduction in 1956 by the American transport entrepreneur Malcom McLean, the container has become a standardized transport module worldwide, whether on ships, trucks or construction sites. The shipping containers have additionally revolutionized the transport industry, pushed the globalization noticeably, and thus directly or indirectly influenced all our lives. But after only a few years, when the first overseas containers wore out, many engineers recognized the positive properties of used shipping containers for building houses, especially since they are robust, flexible, multifunctional and second-hand relatively inexpensive to purchase. The time has long passed by to treat containers exclusively as transport objects. As a "measure of all things", containers can hardly be ignored in construction. Their use is no longer limited to temporary use since school containers, information containers, office containers or entire residential buildings are now part of our everyday life in the construction industry. However, current examples of the container architecture prove that even the most demanding solutions for container building are feasible. For their specific aesthetic and spatial qualities, containers also serve as design parameters for the development of new forms of architecture and urbanity. The office building as an extension of the visa section, characterized by modern materials and contemporary aesthetics has been designed and built mainly as a low-energy building. Extensive insulation to achieve a comfortable and sustainable constant temperature in the interior, high window quality and low energy consumption make the building energy-efficient. The sophisticated lighting technology, networks, heating systems and air-conditioning systems are also components of this equipment. It creates an overall harmonic picture and guarantees the highest standard in sustainable construction, taking into consideration the fact that environmentally friendly recycling and reutilization have become an increasingly important issue in our society. West and East side of the wooden facade is compact and has few openings, while the southern facade is completely open with lot of glass. Its spatial openness ensures a transparent, friendly work environment, which allows a lot of light into the space. This openness allows an uninterrupted, pleasant and close-to-nature view from interior spaces into the beautiful garden. During the installation of sophisticated light sources in the garden, emphasis was not only put on functionality and security, but also on the beauty of the garden shown through the illumination in the evening. Large, horizontal white “brisole” serve as external sun protection systems, mounted on the canopies of the entrance areas of the modular construction and the enclosure, adeptly cast shade on these areas and at the same time shape the entire architectural language. While on one hand, the two quadratic ledges suspended in the air, are docked with steel stairs and match the wooden façade, lead the staff to their office space, the artful modern interior, on the other hand, perfectly unites the functionality, innovative technology, culture and positive effects on the employees' efficiency and wellbeing. A lot of white, interjected by warm wooden and colored accents, determines the ambience. In the case of the lighting solution, the mainly linear ceiling lighting is used as the overlapping design element both for the offices of the visa section as well as for the counters and the waiting area for the visitors. They underline the puristic design in order to create a pleasant light for a desired general illumination and ensure optimal light conditions without causing disturbing reflections on the computer screens. In addition, precisely positioned pendant luminaires are installed at the workstations, which ensure pleasant room brightness. In the entrance area, the harmonic and uniform lighting effect from the ground highlights the integration of photography and architecture. Photographs of landscapes, people, places, expressing unforgettable, impressive moments and memories have been lovingly engraved on 8 x 8cm square oak blocks. The idea of an effective, impressive environment that stimulates and inspires the work was the premiss on which the whole design concept was based. Consequently, the modular construction was no longer viewed through its history of utilization and scars, but rather as a structure of work ambiance, art and elegance. FERIZI + FERIZI Architects Photo: Arben Llapashtica

Location: Tavarua Island, Fiji The client brief on this project was for a super high performance decking that could with-stand the harsh environment of the Pacific Islands. The resort had previously used Merbau decking, but this had given less than 10 years durability, consequently the clients were seeking a durable product with similar weathering properties. The 30 year warranty offered by Elements Sand+ Decking along with the availability of fixed lengths and an aesthetically pleasing finish were key selling points.

This house was designed for a couple and their son. One of the design program requirements was to have two master suites on the main level. They enjoy cooking and entertaining so the public and food prep. areas are functional, attractive and conducive to people gathering around. Consequently, the square footage of the main level is large. The house is also on a very steep slope which didn't help with the required footprint. In order to minimize the related costs of building with this site condition, the footprint of the house is long and not deep as it reaches down the slope. The scale of the existing homes in the neighborhood are unimposing. In order to play down the size as viewed from the street, the facade is broken up into several different masses with low sloping roofs. Once you're inside, the house opens up with 14 foot ceilings in the entry and living areas. The ceiling height of other spaces on the main level are 10 feet. Universal design was implemented on the main level to provide inherent accessibility for everyone. The lower level accommodates several guest rooms and baths, an exercise room, a guest den with wet bar and a man cave. Another design program requirement was to make the house as maintenance-free as possible. Exterior materials include stucco, Pennsylvania Blue Stone and a new aluminum siding product called Longboard. The siding comes in many wood grain finishes and to everyone that has seen it, they think it's real wood. It's also made from heavy gauge aluminum so it doesn't ding like traditional aluminum siding. The roofs are metal standing seam. The house is energy efficient. It's fully insulated with spray foam insulation-lots of it. The exterior walls were designed with 2x6 studs and roof rafters are 2x12 to provide plenty of space for the insulation, exceeding the required R-values. Windows and doors of course are energy efficient as well. All lighting is LED. The decking around the exterior is locust, a very hard native wood which is naturally insect and rot resistant. The best part of the whole project are the owners who love their new home. They initially had plans to live in this house during the summer months and Florida during the winter. They are now seriously considering living here full-time.

German Embassy in Pristina - Kosovo, contracted the architecture office “Ferizi + Ferizi Architects” to plan and implement an Annex Office building for their purposes. As detached part of this building is designed the waiting area, as alone standing structure. This Office Building is constructed by assembling of Eight used office containers that were delivered on trucks and set up after only a few hours on the basis of the LEGO principle, according to the planning on strip foundations. By removing the flexible exterior wall panels, a large room of 115 m² was created, with the counter wall as a room partition between two office spaces, each with seven workstations as well as three counters for agents on one side and a room for visitors on the other side. With this system, room solutions can be easily implemented in all dimensions. The container, seen as a geometric shape, is a simple, octagonal, solid box. The standardized perfection of its dimensions is striking: 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high and 6.06 meters or 12.19 meters long. Since its introduction in 1956 by the American transport entrepreneur Malcom McLean, the container has become a standardized transport module worldwide, whether on ships, trucks or construction sites. The shipping containers have additionally revolutionized the transport industry, pushed the globalization noticeably, and thus directly or indirectly influenced all our lives. But after only a few years, when the first overseas containers wore out, many engineers recognized the positive properties of used shipping containers for building houses, especially since they are robust, flexible, multifunctional and second-hand relatively inexpensive to purchase. The time has long passed by to treat containers exclusively as transport objects. As a "measure of all things", containers can hardly be ignored in construction. Their use is no longer limited to temporary use since school containers, information containers, office containers or entire residential buildings are now part of our everyday life in the construction industry. However, current examples of the container architecture prove that even the most demanding solutions for container building are feasible. For their specific aesthetic and spatial qualities, containers also serve as design parameters for the development of new forms of architecture and urbanity. The office building as an extension of the visa section, characterized by modern materials and contemporary aesthetics has been designed and built mainly as a low-energy building. Extensive insulation to achieve a comfortable and sustainable constant temperature in the interior, high window quality and low energy consumption make the building energy-efficient. The sophisticated lighting technology, networks, heating systems and air-conditioning systems are also components of this equipment. It creates an overall harmonic picture and guarantees the highest standard in sustainable construction, taking into consideration the fact that environmentally friendly recycling and reutilization have become an increasingly important issue in our society. West and East side of the wooden facade is compact and has few openings, while the southern facade is completely open with lot of glass. Its spatial openness ensures a transparent, friendly work environment, which allows a lot of light into the space. This openness allows an uninterrupted, pleasant and close-to-nature view from interior spaces into the beautiful garden. During the installation of sophisticated light sources in the garden, emphasis was not only put on functionality and security, but also on the beauty of the garden shown through the illumination in the evening. Large, horizontal white “brisole” serve as external sun protection systems, mounted on the canopies of the entrance areas of the modular construction and the enclosure, adeptly cast shade on these areas and at the same time shape the entire architectural language. While on one hand, the two quadratic ledges suspended in the air, are docked with steel stairs and match the wooden façade, lead the staff to their office space, the artful modern interior, on the other hand, perfectly unites the functionality, innovative technology, culture and positive effects on the employees' efficiency and wellbeing. A lot of white, interjected by warm wooden and colored accents, determines the ambience. In the case of the lighting solution, the mainly linear ceiling lighting is used as the overlapping design element both for the offices of the visa section as well as for the counters and the waiting area for the visitors. They underline the puristic design in order to create a pleasant light for a desired general illumination and ensure optimal light conditions without causing disturbing reflections on the computer screens. In addition, precisely positioned pendant luminaires are installed at the workstations, which ensure pleasant room brightness. In the entrance area, the harmonic and uniform lighting effect from the ground highlights the integration of photography and architecture. Photographs of landscapes, people, places, expressing unforgettable, impressive moments and memories have been lovingly engraved on 8 x 8cm square oak blocks. The idea of an effective, impressive environment that stimulates and inspires the work was the premiss on which the whole design concept was based. Consequently, the modular construction was no longer viewed through its history of utilization and scars, but rather as a structure of work ambiance, art and elegance. FERIZI + FERIZI Architects Photo: Arben Llapashtica