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.

Patio - mid-sized rustic backyard brick patio idea in Richmond with no cover

Example of a trendy exterior home design in Austin

brett pieratt
Patio - contemporary patio idea in San Diego

Circular Driveway with 3 piece pavers and low voltage lighting.
Elegant entryway photo in New York

Example of a mid-sized tuscan gray two-story concrete exterior home design in Miami

Patio - traditional patio idea in St Louis

WWW.LONDONSTONEWORKS.COM
Patio - mid-sized traditional backyard brick patio idea in Chicago with no cover

This project was a portion of a larger remodeling of a classic mid-century deck house in Weston, MA. The primary areas of focus for the landscape were an interior courtyard and rear terrace, both of which were overgrown and unused. In order to keep within budget limitations, our strategy consisted largely of editing the existing plants on site and reusing the best ones, maintaining existing groupings where appropriate. In keeping with the arts and crafts style of the home with its exposed beams and attention to detail, we implemented a simpler palette of rich materials with well-articulated detailing for a more pared-down contemporary aesthetic. Scott Carman

Rain water is channeled toward plants.

The natural lannon stone steps meet the new patio at an angle, adding interest. The combination sailor-soldier course of brick surrounding the dining space brings another layer of detail. Westhauser Photography

Daniel photography Ltd.
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Stamped concrete patio, fieldstone pattern with a block seating with caps and a block fire-pit.
Large minimalist backyard stamped concrete patio photo in DC Metro with a fire pit

Our unique rubberized polymer overlays allow our decorative concrete designs to cure to a compression strength just under 5000 psi for the ultimate in durability.

Belgard Eco Dublin permeable pavers in Ardness grey. Yardworks, Inc.
Example of a beach style front yard concrete paver patio design with a roof extension

Driveway and side yard done in ORCO Antique Cobble in a blend of Tuscany and Chateau
This is an example of a large traditional partial sun front yard brick driveway in Orange County.

Inspiration for a large transitional side yard brick patio remodel in Seattle with a pergola

Reclaimed Brick Floor tile installed in a running bond pattern.
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Good Looking View & Tile . While ARTO products are made in Los Angeles County, California, we are happy to ship our product worldwide! We work onsite with concrete, terra-cotta and ceramic. We build brick, tile and architectural elements for residential and commercial environments. We pride ourselves on providing perfectly imperfect product that gives a feel of rustic elegance.