Example of a mid-sized trendy gray two-story concrete fiberboard house exterior design in Ottawa with a shed roof and a metal roof

In collaboration with the Lawrenceville Corporation, Rothschild Doyno, and The Urban Redevelopment Authority, EcoCraft Homes is helping to redefine the image of affordable urban housing. Working through a newly defined mechanism called the “Community Land Trust” program Lawrenceville Corporation is pioneering a new standard for community development and affordable home ownership. Phase one of the CLT development consists of 6 new and one renovation unit that are built with materials that are equal to, or often times of a higher quality than the market rate homes that Lawrenceville has become known for. In addition, every CLT home has been designed to seamlessly integrate into existing historical fabric of Upper Lawrenceville by respecting and implementing design elements from contextual neighborhood patterns. The CLT design team’s radically different approach to sustainability, resiliency, and energy efficiency will ensure the affordability of these homes remain intact for generations, challenging the idea that affordability should equate to compromises in the quality of living.

Michael Moran/OTTO photography. The objective of this award-winning gut renovation was to create a spatially dynamic, light-filled, and energy-efficient home with a strong connection to Long Island Sound. The design strategy is straightforward: a gabled roof covers a central “spine” corridor that terminates with cathedral ceilinged spaces at both ends. The relocated approach and entry deposit visitors into the front hall with its curvilinear, cantilevered stair. A two-story, windowed family gathering space lies ahead – a straight shot to the water beyond. The design challenge was to utilize the existing house footprint and structure, while raising the top of foundation walls to exceed new flood regulations, reconfiguring the spatial organization, and using innovative materials to produce a tight thermal envelope and contemporary yet contextually appropriate facades.

Branksome Road Set within a Bournemouth conservation zone; Branksome Woods provided the challenge of designing additional, modern space for a growing family whilst respecting sensitive contextual conditions. Footprint Architects responded by continuing the existing roofline across the property, providing an extra two bedrooms whilst also allowing the proposal to blend seamlessly with the properties existing form, whilst breathing new life into the look of the dated building. On the ground floor, the kitchen and dinning area were re-organised and extended out from the property in a brick form that exhibits views of the garden, with an alternative contrasting timber rear entrance to provide improved access to the house from the drive and garage. The design changes have transformed the quality and functionality of Branksome Woods, providing modern additional space, with a minimal impact on the surrounding context. The project was completed in November 2017.

the Mt Lebanon Project involved a large Family Room/ Kitchen Addition that integrated a respectful street front façade with a contemporary rear elevation. The design was an honest expression of the beauty of wood framing, natural lighting, and organic materials.

Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Las Vegas

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

Country home design photo in Austin

I always design screen porches with the largest screen panels that fit, treating the main view like a picture window and keeping the flanking screens to the same widths.

Trendy dining room photo in Ottawa

Elegant home design photo in Other

This extension to a very distinctive timber clad house set in a prominent hilltop position in the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire was an exciting project with many contextual constraints. The clients had a large family and needed to provide more bed space for visiting grandchildren, so we created a new large en-suite bedroom for them at first floor level, which freed up other areas of the house for guest accommodation. The extension is designed to sensitively integrate with the existing house whilst having its own distinct character. The existing palette of materials is reinterpreted in a thoroughly modern way. A rigorous design process had to be adopted in order to secure planning approval for this contemporary design from the notoriously difficult Peak District National Park. The existing rough grit-stone side wall is treated as a ‘ruined’ solid base from which the lighter weight construction of the timber and glass facades spring from. Much thought went into the multi layered timber cladding which imbue the extension with its own unique character, and the carefully positioned areas of clean, frameless glazing which focus and frame the amazing views out to the surrounding countryside. A large frameless corner window provides a sun-drenched corner with seating, perfect for quiet contemplation. Beautifully finished in elegant birch faced plywood panelling the interior exudes a minimalist serenity which makes a pleasing contrast to the rugged exterior finishes.

INSPIRATION: local settlements in northern Iran formed by a simple adaptation of the nature, geography and climate of that region. The local architecture of this place is so intertwined with nature and in harmony with the climate that it can be called naturalistic architecture. We are looking to redefining the region's former architecture, which needs protection, into today's language. Unique properties: Extroverted architecture is a solution that is necessary to respond to the hot and humid climate of the location of this project. But in Iranian culture, introverted architecture is unavoidable therefore, in this residential apartment where several families live together and also have common spaces, providing a response to introversion and extroversion at the same time has been considered. Description: Extreme use of the porch refers to the deep structures of the Iranian Architecture The "primitive cottage", which is a favorite of the residents of this small town, when converted into a contemporary apartment, must include several basic spaces to implement the residential scenario. Private and semi-private balconies are the most important of those spaces. Extensive vista is the potential of this project. because in addition to the forest view from the south and the beach view on the north side, the other two sides of the project have a unique view due to their height from the city. Therefore, the location and type of openings affect the quality of the space. Each space has a pleasant view, light and proper air circulation. Roofed and non-roofed yards equally divided at different levels. These independent courtyards in the vertical surfaces seen as a vertical and integrated garden in the urban context. CHALENGE: The value that the project pursues is to answer: How contemporary architecture can be faithful to culture, nature and context? How architecture can affect the audience without showing off? this challenge arose for us when we noticed that the surrounding new buildings had nothing to do with local architecture except for adhering to a form such as a sloping roof. Audience tastes have also gone in a direction that is not compatible with contextual factors. So having a few touches of culture and context can be a turning point in the contemporary architecture of this Small scale area.

Craig Thompson
Example of a classic home design design in Other

Inspiration for a farmhouse home design remodel in Austin

In collaboration with the Lawrenceville Corporation, Rothschild Doyno, and The Urban Redevelopment Authority, EcoCraft Homes is helping to redefine the image of affordable urban housing. Working through a newly defined mechanism called the “Community Land Trust” program Lawrenceville Corporation is pioneering a new standard for community development and affordable home ownership. Phase one of the CLT development consists of 6 new and one renovation unit that are built with materials that are equal to, or often times of a higher quality than the market rate homes that Lawrenceville has become known for. In addition, every CLT home has been designed to seamlessly integrate into existing historical fabric of Upper Lawrenceville by respecting and implementing design elements from contextual neighborhood patterns. The CLT design team’s radically different approach to sustainability, resiliency, and energy efficiency will ensure the affordability of these homes remain intact for generations, challenging the idea that affordability should equate to compromises in the quality of living.

Reinterpreting building methods, materials, and spatial relationships, Architects have designed a series of incredible homes that are redefining how to live in nature. This project embraces the contextual presences of natura wood all over the plot area