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

New construction calls for a kitchen done right the first time! A generous layout with multiple work zones – this kitchen works well for the large family. A key requirement of this design was to draw attention to various family heirloom pieces by creating several options for display, and oh, how they steal the show in this kitchen, Peeking through the glass fronted cabinets and perched below the crown molding, the combination of the polished look amid a casual gathering place makes for a lovely kitchen. Project specs: Cabinets by Quality Custom Cabinetry, Miele appliances including induction cooktop, Wide plank walnut floor, Quarter sawn island cabinets, painted white perimeter cabinets. Leathered granite on the white cabinets and walnut counter top on the island. A large butler's pantry is featured in the background with dark grey paint and a walnut countertop. Photo Bruce Van Inwegen

A love of cooking and baking led this Monticello homeowner to remodel her kitchen. The cabinets were upgraded to a more sophisticated, classic- yet trendy style. Special touches included a specialty storage space in the toe kick, along with traditional vertical storage space for cookie sheets and pots and pans. Riverside Construction swapped the double ovens and refrigerator to create a proper cooking zone while adding the functionality of double ovens. We also removed soffits to gain a valuable glass cabinet display area. New quartz countertops created a clean and elegant work surface and a white 3×6 beveled backsplash with an art deco border and under-cabinet lighting rounded out this sophisticated kitchen design.

Kitchen expanded into an adjoining hall way, so refrigerator wall movement of approximately 4' allowed the inclusion of a center island with special features of seating and cook book storage. The cabinet just beyond the double oven serves as a hidden dropping zone, as well as, broom storage. Floor to ceiling cherry cabinets compliment the red oak character grade flooring by allowing the darker floor grain coloration to match the cabinet stain itself. Cabinetry accessories abound to create function to this expanded beauty.

The staircase to the lower level is flanked by a matte black metal railing. Along with two bedrooms, a jack & jill bath, and a powder room, this lower level is also set up for entertaining. A sunken media lounge, game area, walk-up wet bar, and see-through fireplace lounge, all set the lower level as a perfect atmosphere to host your next movie night or big game. Secret room.

Kitchen - farmhouse kitchen idea in New York

A love of cooking and baking led this Monticello homeowner to remodel her kitchen. The cabinets were upgraded to a more sophisticated, classic- yet trendy style. Special touches included a specialty storage space in the toe kick, along with traditional vertical storage space for cookie sheets and pots and pans. Riverside Construction swapped the double ovens and refrigerator to create a proper cooking zone while adding the functionality of double ovens. We also removed soffits to gain a valuable glass cabinet display area. New quartz countertops created a clean and elegant work surface and a white 3×6 beveled backsplash with an art deco border and under-cabinet lighting rounded out this sophisticated kitchen design.

Ruby Hills Estate: Complete revision to existing layout increasing size and function to space plan. Dual zone steam shower with multiple shower functions.

Mid-sized beach style enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a media wall

Contemporary Exterior with Cantilevered Roofline, Steel Accents, and Custom Landscape Design | Chicago Custom Home This striking exterior sets the tone for a modern custom home built in the heart of Chicago. Featuring a dramatic cantilevered roofline, black steel railings, and expansive glass walls, the architectural profile is bold, dynamic, and unmistakably contemporary. Every line, edge, and elevation was intentionally designed to marry form and function—while creating undeniable curb appeal. At the base, custom landscaping softens the strong geometry with organic texture. Clean hardscaping and integrated seating offer outdoor gathering zones that extend the livable footprint of the home. Neutral-toned siding and natural wood accents provide warmth to the structure's otherwise minimalist composition, allowing the home to stand out while blending into its urban surroundings. This exterior is a celebration of precision, proportion, and performance. It reflects New Explode Construction's signature approach—designing homes that are both breathtaking and buildable. Modern doesn't have to feel cold, and this home proves it.

Inspiration for a transitional patio remodel in New York

Our goal for this kitchen remodel was to give our client an updated kitchen while still having it coordinate with the rest of the house. Organization was a big factor, so we took into account many of the homeowners’ items and found a permanent home for them while making them easy to access. The homeowner also wanted a designated coffee area out of the way from the main work area as well as a “drop zone” when entering the kitchen to put all those miscellaneous items that always seem to collect in the kitchen. The cabinetry is frameless construction with the perimeter finished in Benjamin Moore’s Dove White and paired with a leathered black granite and the island was finished in Distressed Charcoal and paired with a lighter colored granite. The client requested a raised bar island design that was a comfortable height to have guests gather around when entertaining in the kitchen. We incorporated X Mullion details throughout the kitchen and added in decorative corbels on the island as well as the dry bar. Lastly, the client wanted to add a touch of “coastal” to her kitchen by picking a fun paint color that made her feel a little closer to the beach. The paint color we decided on is Benjamin Moore’s Beach Glass.

Large beach style blue three-story vinyl gable roof photo in New York with a shingle roof

Project 0251 consisted of a three season addition with a storage room below. The ground floor walls of the three season were veneered with natural stone and capped with a bluestone water table. This detail ended up being carried throughout the existing foundation as well. The project also included a new deck and patio area capped off with a complete landscape renovation including plantings, turf, irrigation and lighting. This project was produced from the ground up—from design through finish—by PCI. We managed and executed the entire construction process in house, including a smooth journey through zoning to acquire the required variance for the deck. This is just one example of our construction divisions work in Wellesley, MA.

A small patch of Ecoturf lawn yields a nice lush green space and a safe place for the Owner's pets to use.
Design ideas for a craftsman landscaping in Seattle.

This is an example of a large coastal front porch design in New York with decking and a roof extension.

Home design - traditional home design idea in Orange County

Project 0251 consisted of a three season addition with a storage room below. The ground floor walls of the three season were veneered with natural stone and capped with a bluestone water table. This detail ended up being carried throughout the existing foundation as well. The project also included a new deck and patio area capped off with a complete landscape renovation including plantings, turf, irrigation and lighting. This project was produced from the ground up—from design through finish—by PCI. We managed and executed the entire construction process in house, including a smooth journey through zoning to acquire the required variance for the deck. This is just one example of our construction divisions work in Wellesley, MA.

Project 0251 consisted of a three season addition with a storage room below. The ground floor walls of the three season were veneered with natural stone and capped with a bluestone water table. This detail ended up being carried throughout the existing foundation as well. The project also included a new deck and patio area capped off with a complete landscape renovation including plantings, turf, irrigation and lighting. This project was produced from the ground up—from design through finish—by PCI. We managed and executed the entire construction process in house, including a smooth journey through zoning to acquire the required variance for the deck. This is just one example of our construction divisions work in Wellesley, MA.