A young growing family was looking for more space to house their needs and decided to add square footage to their home. They loved their neighborhood and location and wanted to add to their single story home with sensitivity to their neighborhood context and yet maintain the traditional style their home had. After multiple design iterations we landed on a design the clients loved. It required an additional planning review process since the house exceeded the maximum allowable square footage. The end result is a beautiful home that accommodates their needs and fits perfectly on their street.

For years, early morning walks past this 1910 Craftsman in Houston's historic Avondale neighborhood left the new owners with lingering fantasies of making it their future home. When it became available, they acquired a home rich with history, but one nearly abolished. The home was once inhabited by Texas Governor (1931-1932) and founder of Humble Oil, Ross Sterling. But, renovations subdivided the home into multi-family rentals and destroyed original finishes. The developer driven modifications were abruptly halted by city red tags in 2018 after original windows were demolished and replaced with vinyl substitutes. With a nearly clean slate on the interior, the HRDD renovation aims to be respectful to the original context while providing coplimentary modern surprises atypical to the era. One such example is a new opening that punctures through the second floor, extending to a roof skylight. Situated at the transition between formal and informal rooms on the first floor and common space on the second floor, this subtraction is lined with a scalloped wood screen. The screen is one of multiple moments within the home where texture will combine with minimal white surfaces, providing a backdrop to the owners' collection of antique Indian furniture pieces. Additionally, a new detached replaced an existing dilapidated garage apartment and contains the owner's photography studio. Windows and a skylight are placed to capture coveted north light, ideal for photographing and editing. The main room remains an austere slate, with ceiling vaulting to a single aperture to create a dynamic moment that carries a dialogue to the opening in the main home.

Elegant living room photo in Philadelphia

Example of a classic home design design in Other

A savvy upgrade of a 1930’s fishing shack on Tomales Bay in Inverness. The 700-square-foot rental cabin is envisioned as a cozy gentleman’s fishing cabin, reflecting the area’s nautical history, built to fit the context of its surroundings. The cottage is meant to feel like a snapshot in time, where bird watching and reading trump television and technology. www.seastarcottage.com Design and Construction by The Englander Building Company Photography by David Duncan Livingston

Originally a class Q barn conversion project on the outskirts of Exmoor National Park, planning was achieved for a new build dwelling using the class Q approval as a 'fallback' position. The proposals included a number of sustainable measures including a fabric first approach to building envelope, solar PV, ground source heat pump, SUDs principles rain water disposal and energy efficient heating and lighting systems. The design reflects and upholds the inherently agricultural and rural character of the existing barn and its setting. The proposals will lead to a significant improvement to the appearance of the existing building and the site and its wider context.

20th Street in Brooklyn is a new townhouse building housing 5 luxury apartments each with access to a back garden, balcony and rooftop terrace. Currently under construction (completion in summer of 2023). — The proposal reinterprets city living - maximizing the smaller spaces with cohesive architecture and a more expansive interior living experience. The use of floor to ceiling windows to allow light to flood in and a connection to the outdoors provides a modern take on city living. The original scope of the project was limited to supporting in the redesign of the backyard and gardens and helping to define finishes. However, after demonstrating opportunities for creating a greater sense of luxury by expanding the existing interior floor plans - a whole-sale redesign of each apartment was committed to. A considered approach sees the new settle in within its older surrounding - giving context to a modern way of city living. The use of natural materials - such as stained or natural oak, honed limestone and marble - in crafted millwork moments allow for a timeless aesthetic that ages gracefully over time - calm simplicity and refined luxury. Kitchens were designed in collaboration with Reform CPH.

Our Mid-Century Elegance kitchen remodel is a visual delight that seamlessly blends classic mid-century aesthetics with contemporary functionality. The focal point is the stunning granite countertops, providing both luxury and durability. Paired with wood-look cabinets featuring sleek black pulls, the design achieves a perfect balance of warmth and modern sophistication. Stainless steel appliances add a touch of sleekness to the space, marrying the timeless charm of mid-century design with the efficiency of modern living. Thoughtfully placed lighting enhances the ambiance, making this kitchen remodel a well-lit and inviting hub for daily culinary activities. Experience the best of both worlds with Mid-Century Elegance—a space where striking granite, wood-look cabinets, black pulls, and stainless steel appliances converge to create a kitchen that's not only visually appealing but also highly functional, embodying the spirit of mid-century charm in a modern context.

Alloy Homes Incorporated noted that this 3-storey home is part of a three-unit freehold townhouse development on a very tight triangular site in a dense, urban neighbourhood. They explained that this project was used to create a new gateway into the neighbourhood, and to act as a buffer between existing homes and nearby incompatible uses and added that the, “front façade defines a new, welcoming residential street edge.” The build features large, full height windows on the front façade offer leafy views down Gladstone Road. The ground level contains a separate live/work space off the front foyer and an attached garage facing the alley. The third floor contains three bedrooms that take advantage of unexpected valley, skyline and mountain views. The interior detailing is bright, modern and efficient. Skylights and large windows wash the home with natural light. Open riser stairs and full-height glass interior walls contribute to a sense of openness and make the living spaces feel large despite the tight urban context.

Gertler & Wente Architects was hired to design this 12,000 s.f. residence for a family of five. It is situated, facing west, on Oyster Bay with views of Long Island Sound, Oyster Bay Harbor and Oyster Bay beach. The house was designed to be sympathetic to its context and the history of north shore residences. A range of outdoor terraces, porches, and structures extends the living area of the house into the landscape. The building is mostly steel frame construction. Photography by Edberg Marketing and Tony Calarco

Cliff Top Cottage Lac St. Pierre, Quebec The initial concept of creating a cottage incorporating a sculptural expression was requested directly by the client and property owner. The client’s deep design interest was also accompanied by an interest in creating something unique on this dramatic cliff-top site that overlooks Lac St. Pierre in Quebec. The outer form has a simplicity that establishes a counterpart to the roughness of the stone hillside. It sits atop the rocky edge and splays outwards to capture views. The main living spaces are split and slightly turned away towards views of the lake. The outdoor space left in between the two main living areas is a protected courtyard – complete with a terrace and pool. While the master suite is located on the main floor, additional bedrooms are located below and carved into the hillside, with views to the water. The interior is where the walls and ceilings undulate. They form an inner landscaped form that frames the lake views. Although the forms are prominent, the use of natural materials works to retain a softness and connection to the surrounding natural context. Wood, zinc and concrete work together to ground the design. Size: 3,400 sq.ft. This project is currently under construction.

For years, early morning walks past this 1910 Craftsman in Houston's historic Avondale neighborhood left the new owners with lingering fantasies of making it their future home. When it became available, they acquired a home rich with history, but one nearly abolished. The home was once inhabited by Texas Governor (1931-1932) and founder of Humble Oil, Ross Sterling. But, renovations subdivided the home into multi-family rentals and destroyed original finishes. The developer driven modifications were abruptly halted by city red tags in 2018 after original windows were demolished and replaced with vinyl substitutes. With a nearly clean slate on the interior, the HRDD renovation aims to be respectful to the original context while providing coplimentary modern surprises atypical to the era. One such example is a new opening that punctures through the second floor, extending to a roof skylight. Situated at the transition between formal and informal rooms on the first floor and common space on the second floor, this subtraction is lined with a scalloped wood screen. The screen is one of multiple moments within the home where texture will combine with minimal white surfaces, providing a backdrop to the owners' collection of antique Indian furniture pieces. Additionally, a new detached replaced an existing dilapidated garage apartment and contains the owner's photography studio. Windows and a skylight are placed to capture coveted north light, ideal for photographing and editing. The main room remains an austere slate, with ceiling vaulting to a single aperture to create a dynamic moment that carries a dialogue to the opening in the main home.

ARCHITEM Wolff Shapiro Kuskowski architectes, photos by Drew Hadley
Example of an exterior home design in Montreal

A 1700 sq ft weekend retreat set in a beautiful natural context. The roof shape of the house provides privacy and separation from the street side and entry and opens up towards the garden area. Lots of glass was used to bring the outside in

Southdowns Estate is situated within agricultural pastures that reflect the area’s legacy of dairy farming. The client requested a design with a contemporary interpretation that is still grounded in this heritage. House van Der Post reflects the heritage of the area in a contemporary context and encourages dialogue with its natural setting. The house is designed to be seen as three barnlike structures; one is separate, housing a garage and flat, the others are linked by a spine with skylights. A simple design philosophy results in architecture that enhances a sense of place. In contrast to off-shutter concrete, traditional vernacular elements are recalled through the use of red face brick and stone cladding excavated on site. Smooth plaster, aluminium and steel balance these robust materials. The garden is characterised by gentle terraces that complement the contemporary identity of the house and promote the integration of interior and exterior. Photographs by: Malan Kotze Photography

The decision to either renovate the upper and lower units of a duplex or convert them into a single-family home was a no-brainer. Situated on a quiet street in Montreal, the home was the childhood residence of the homeowner, where many memories were made and relationships formed within the neighbourhood. The prospect of living elsewhere wasn’t an option. A complete overhaul included the re-configuration of three levels to accommodate the dynamic lifestyle of the empty nesters. The potential to create a luminous volume was evident from the onset. With the home backing onto a park, westerly views were exploited by oversized windows and doors. A massive window in the stairwell allows morning sunlight to filter in and create stunning reflections in the open concept living area below. The staircase is an architectural statement combining two styles of steps, with the extended width of the lower staircase creating a destination to read, while making use of an otherwise awkward space. White oak dominates the entire home to create a cohesive and natural context. Clean lines, minimal furnishings and white walls allow the small space to breathe.

Accoya weatherboards have been realised on a private residence designed by Architecture 37 Limited, at Red Beach, Auckland, NZ. Designed to fit in a coastal context the beachfront home is designed to maximise views yet provide comfortable outdoor spaces that can still be used when the sea breeze makes its presence felt.

The decision to either renovate the upper and lower units of a duplex or convert them into a single-family home was a no-brainer. Situated on a quiet street in Montreal, the home was the childhood residence of the homeowner, where many memories were made and relationships formed within the neighbourhood. The prospect of living elsewhere wasn’t an option. A complete overhaul included the re-configuration of three levels to accommodate the dynamic lifestyle of the empty nesters. The potential to create a luminous volume was evident from the onset. With the home backing onto a park, westerly views were exploited by oversized windows and doors. A massive window in the stairwell allows morning sunlight to filter in and create stunning reflections in the open concept living area below. The staircase is an architectural statement combining two styles of steps, with the extended width of the lower staircase creating a destination to read, while making use of an otherwise awkward space. White oak dominates the entire home to create a cohesive and natural context. Clean lines, minimal furnishings and white walls allow the small space to breathe.

An angled view of the dining buffet in context with the dining table and chandelier — the deep black cabinetry grounds the room while the warm oak floors and natural light keep the space from feeling heavy. Designed by: EKR Designs Featuring Hanstone Quartz countertops and backsplashes.