Develop Strong - Photos & Ideas

'Shooting Stars' Unbuilt Project: SunBrow

The clients called me on the recommendation from a neighbor of mine who had met them at a conference and learned of their need for an architect. They contacted me and after meeting to discuss their project they invited me to visit their site, not far from White Salmon in Washington State. Initially, the couple discussed building a ‘Weekend’ retreat on their 20± acres of land. Their site was in the foothills of a range of mountains that offered views of both Mt. Adams to the North and Mt. Hood to the South. They wanted to develop a place that was ‘cabin-like’ but with a degree of refinement to it and take advantage of the primary views to the north, south and west. They also wanted to have a strong connection to their immediate outdoors. Before long my clients came to the conclusion that they no longer perceived this as simply a weekend retreat but were now interested in making this their primary residence. With this new focus we concentrated on keeping the refined cabin approach but needed to add some additional functions and square feet to the original program. They wanted to downsize from their current 3,500± SF city residence to a more modest 2,000 – 2,500 SF space. They desired a singular open Living, Dining and Kitchen area but needed to have a separate room for their television and upright piano. They were empty nesters and wanted only two bedrooms and decided that they would have two ‘Master’ bedrooms, one on the lower floor and the other on the upper floor (they planned to build additional ‘Guest’ cabins to accommodate others in the near future). The original scheme for the weekend retreat was only one floor with the second bedroom tucked away on the north side of the house next to the breezeway opposite of the carport. Another consideration that we had to resolve was that the particular location that was deemed the best building site had diametrically opposed advantages and disadvantages. The views and primary solar orientations were also the source of the prevailing winds, out of the Southwest. The resolve was to provide a semi-circular low-profile earth berm on the south/southwest side of the structure to serve as a wind-foil directing the strongest breezes up and over the structure. Because our selected site was in a saddle of land that then sloped off to the south/southwest the combination of the earth berm and the sloping hill would effectively created a ‘nestled’ form allowing the winds rushing up the hillside to shoot over most of the house. This allowed me to keep the favorable orientation to both the views and sun without being completely compromised by the winds.

Dunvegan Floating

Stairworks

This floating staircase was a different style from the usual Stairworks design. The owner wanted us to design, fabricate and install the steel and the treads, so our in-house staircase designer drew everything out. Because the owner has strong ties to China, he had everything sent away in order for the treads to be manufactured there. What made this tricky was that there wasn’t any extra material so we had to be very careful with our quantities when we were finishing the floating staircase build. The treads have LED light strips underneath as well as a high polish, which give it a beautiful finish. The only challenge is that the darker wood and higher polish can sometimes show scratches more easily. The stairs have a somewhat mid-century modern feel due to the square handrail and the Stairworks exclusive round spindle balustrade. This style of metal balustrade is one of our specialties as the fixing has been developed over the last year closely with our engineer allowing for there to be no fixings shown on the bottom of the tread while still achieving all engineering requirements.

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Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

Natasha Dixon Photography Edmonton Award Winning Boutique Interior Design Studio Edmonton's award winning boutique interior design studio. We are ready to listen to your needs and develop the perfect interior design solution for your project. Marie started interiorsBYDESIGNinc. because she loves what she does and is crazy passionate about creating the perfect space for her clients all within budget! We resource the best products and shop for the perfect materials and finishes that add up to truly unique interiors. Our passion and attention to detail has also got us amazing media attention. Being voted BEST OF HOUZZ in interior design and customer service SIX YEARS IN A ROW, we've also been featured in local, regional, national and international websites and magazines! Marie is a true, modern Canadian designer with strong classical roots. Described as fresh, inspired and timeless, Marie has a wide vocabulary of stylistic approaches and artfully balances form, function and style as well she can integrate the past with present trends. Her interiors are nuanced and tailored and have a lasting quality that is always the hallmark of every project. Marie's endless creative ideas, design process and budget strategies expedite a project's process. Simply put - we deliver extraordinary interiors.

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Rainbow Residence

Thuja Architecture Studio

The Rainbow house is a three storey 3,500 sq.ft residence located on a mountain perch, in Skyridge, Squamish’s newest residential development. The home was site specific, taking into account natural daylighting, strong winds local to the area, and the spectacular views of Howe Sound and various mountain ranges. The home incorporates large overhangs via cantilevered glulam beams, covered outdoor living areas, winter and summer zones, and juxtapositions living spaces based on views and lighting. The home has been conceptualized to be built out of the ground as it follows the grading of the site, stepping down across the lot, and by using natural, local materials. The final product will be a leader in the “West Coast Modern” design aesthetic.

Kurt Lavenson Design - Breuning Piedmont Home

User

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly.

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Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

Astrid Apartments

Markle + Diaz Architects

A contemporary multifamily residence designed with clean geometry, timeless materials, and a strong architectural presence. Thoughtfully integrated lighting, balanced proportions, and a refined façade create a welcoming environment that supports modern urban living and a connected community.

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Columbus, OH

We Design, Build and Renovate

CHC & Family Developments5 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

Soundview Remodel

Reyes Creative Concepts LLC.

Living Room: Our customer wanted to update the family room and the kitchen of this 1970's splanch. By painting the brick wall white and adding custom built-ins we brightened up the space. The decor reflects our client's love for color and a bit of asian style elements. We also made sure that the sitting was not only beautiful, but very comfortable and durable. The sofa and the accent chairs sit very comfortably and we used the performance fabrics to make sure they last through the years. We also wanted to highlight the art collection which the owner curated through the years. Kithen: We enlarged the kitchen by removing a partition wall that divided it from the dining room and relocated the entrance. Our goal was to create a warm and inviting kitchen, therefore we selected a mellow, neutral palette. The cabinets are soft Irish Cream as opposed to a bright white. The mosaic backsplash makes a statement, but remains subtle through its beige tones. We selected polished brass for the hardware, as well as brass and warm metals for the light fixtures which emit a warm and cozy glow. For beauty and practicality, we used quartz for the working surface countertops and for the island we chose a sophisticated leather finish marble with strong movement and gold inflections. Because of our client’s love for Asian influences, we selected upholstery fabric with an image of a dragon, chrysanthemums to mimic Japanese textiles, and red accents scattered throughout. Functionality, aesthetics, and expressing our clients vision was our main goal. Photography: Jeanne Calarco, Context Media Development

Rainbow Residence

Thuja Architecture Studio

Warm Northwest Traditional

Pacific Home Source LLC

This custom traditional residence was designed to combine timeless architectural character with the scale and functionality of a modern luxury home. Located in Gig Harbor, the project emphasizes detailed craftsmanship throughout, including exposed timber trusses, custom stonework, layered rooflines, and carefully integrated exterior detailing that give the home a warm and established presence. Pacific Home Source worked closely with the homeowners and project team to develop a design that balanced elegance, durability, and livability while maintaining a strong connection to Pacific Northwest architecture. Special attention was given to the fine details throughout the home, from the structural timber elements and covered outdoor spaces to the carefully proportioned entry sequence and custom material selections. The finished home reflects a high level of coordination and craftsmanship and we are thrilled with how the project ultimately came together.

Ultimate Healing Bathtub

California Doors and Windows

The Evolution of the Bathtub Ends Here… The Ultimate Healing Bathtub is a Brand-New Revolutionary Slide-In Bathtub, designed and engineered by the most brilliant minds on the Planet and in the Industry. This incredible Bathtub, took 5-long hard years, along with millions of dollars to invent, engineer and develop. No safety or ease of use features have been taken for granted or overlooked. This Amazing Bathtub will help people of all ages, ethnic cultures and backgrounds to relax and enjoy life, while they are cleansing themselves from the toxins of the world, safely along with shouting their pain and discomforts. The beautiful, sleek, aerodynamic design is not only practical, it is Gorgeous. Can you Imagine, Owning the Safest, Most Revolutionary and Luxurious Bathtub in the World? How would that increase the Quality of Your Life? You Can own this Awesome Bathtub…and You Deserve To have One...or Two… Or maybe Three… The Sky is the Limit… It is Affordable… And I’m going to help and assist you, on how to get this Ultra-Unique Invention into Your Home. So, you can rest assured, that when you get home, after working a long hard day, tired, sore, stressed and confused. Call today to learn more about the amazing features and opportunities that were offering! The ”Ultimate Healing Bathtub”, will be waiting for you… With Wide Open Doors… Strong, Powerful Air Jets…. along with Soft Hot Water and Chromotherapy, to help and assist you to: Reduce the Swelling and Inflammation in your Sore Muscles, Tenons and Bones Decrease your Muscle Tension Improve the Circulation of your Blood Give you Satisfying Relief of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Increase your Ligaments Range of Motion Release Toxins Out of your Body Revitalize Loose and Wrinkled Skin Enjoy a Gentle but Powerful Message Regulate Your Mood Swings Improve your Sleeping Patterns Gain Tremendous Anti-Aging Benefits Live a Higher Quality of Life Live More Comfortable Live Happier Live Longer Get all this…. and more, along with the Safest and Most Technical Bathtub on the Planet… The Benefits and Features on this Miraculous Bathtub are Astounding. The Ultimate Healing Bathtub comes standard with: 4-Computers (YES -I said Four CPU’s) Drains in 10-15 Seconds Equipped with a Catch Basin Reservoir underneath the bathtub to allow for quick drainage The Pressurized Door Seal is the same seal the United States Air Force uses on the F-18 Fighter Jet Plane to seal the Canopy to the top of the Cockpit Medical Grade Stainless Steel Main Frame that will stay 99% Bacterial Free Removable Medical Grade Stainless Steel Drain Filter for easy maintenance along with access to the main floor drain 2-12 Volt Back-Up Batteries in case of a power failure Numerous Fail -Safe Features-In case of Power Failure this bathtub automatically Drains in 10-15 seconds, then the door drops so you can get out of the bathtub The door rises from underneath the bathtub for maximum immersion and has 3-positions (Down, Center and Top) Weight of less that one (1) pound of force to open and close the door Door Automatically Latches Easy Ingress and egress from a walker or a wheelchair The bathtub is at chair level for easy positioning Extra foot drain so you can add more hot water without emptying the bathtub water too fast Consumption of less than 40 Gallons of Water Ships in 2-different pieces, that weigh 160 LBS each, for easy installation and attaches together with 4-screws Low Voltage Heated Backrest (Low and High Heat positions) Soft Gel Pillow Numerous Self-Cleaning and Self-Drying Air Jets placed along the entire length of the bathtub that shoot millions of gentle massaging bubbles No chance of contamination and residue buildup from use of soaps and oils Upper Control Panel so you can control all of the benefits and features of the Ultimate Healing Bathtub with a push of a button Hand Held Sprayer for simple caregiving and easy cleaning Dual-Temperature Water Control Valve Anti-Scald Valve so the hot water can’t burn you Water Volume Valve Door latches in center position for easy usage for a care giver or to bathe children and pets Requires 1-110 -20-amp Duplex Receptacle Water and Drain lines come equipped with quick connecting couplings for easy installation Shell is made of Acrylic not Fiberglass for easy patching in case bathtub gets damaged Back and Foot Message Air Jets Grab Bar inside bathtub for Safety Access and Egress At no point is the user standing in the Bathtub, so there is no chance of slipping or falling Ultimate Healing Bathtub dimensions fit easily into existing bathrooms (60” X 32” X 42”) Extra Long Ultimate Healing Bathtub Dimensions (72” X 32” X 42”) Chromotherapy Bring dignity, autonomy and relaxation back into the bathing experience with this remarkable Ultimate Healing Bathtub.

Boathouse Interior

Pacific Home Source LLC

This Pacific Northwest boathouse retreat was designed to create a strong connection between the home and the surrounding waterfront environment. Natural cedar siding, expansive outdoor decks, and modern detailing help blend the structure into the wooded shoreline while maximizing views and outdoor living opportunities. Pacific Home Source worked closely with the homeowners to develop a functional and inviting design that balances modern architecture with the relaxed feel of waterfront living. The project emphasizes entertaining, indoor-outdoor flow, and durable materials suited for the Pacific Northwest climate.

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Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.