Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Austin

Example of a transitional living room design in New York

Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Denver

Simply Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

The DRI3030ENC gas insert puts the “aah” in ambiance with a beautiful flame presentation that’s amplified by reflective porcelain panels. The DRI3030TENC fireplace insert radiates style and warmth with dancing flames that fill the porcelain-lined firebox. Along with a stunning flame presentation that’s sure to get your attention, the DRI3030TENC delivers on performance with a full-featured Remote Control and variable-speed blower. Aesthetics State-of-the-art burn technology produces a vibrant flame that infuses your living space with warmth and ambiance. Variety of face and media options are available to suit your style preferences. Stylishly reflective porcelain firebox liners add visual impact to the flame presentation. Approved for zero-clearance (metal) and masonry fireplaces. Comfort Wireless Full Function Remote Control system provides precise heat control. Electronic ignition system with battery backup—ignites and heats during a power outage. Variable-speed, 155-CFM blower provides powerful and efficient warmth. 83-86% steady-state efficiency for even, continual heating. Ease of Operation From the convenience of your sofa, use your Full Function Remote Control to adjust the room temperature around the exact area where you are relaxing. Six heat and blower settings give you precise control to efficiently heat the space around you. One-touch On/Off switch allows quick fire ignition and shutoff. *Square-feet heating capacities are approximations only. Local conditions, such as elevation, wind, vent configuration and choice of fuel will affect overall appearance of the fire and heating performance. Performance can also vary with home design and insulation, climate, condition and type of fuel used, appliance location, burn rate, accessories chosen, chimney installation and how the appliance is operated.

Photo: Margot Hartford Photography © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a timeless dining room remodel in Amsterdam

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in New York

Small trendy gray one-story metal exterior home photo in Minneapolis

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

©Energy Smart Home Plans, LLC - ©Aaron Bailey Photography
Small craftsman beige one-story vinyl exterior home idea in Orlando

Huge transitional blue two-story stucco house exterior idea in San Francisco with a clipped gable roof and a shingle roof

Architect: square three design studios Interior designer: GoGo Creations Builder: Clarum Homes
Kids' room - contemporary kids' room idea in San Francisco

Simply Photography
Inspiration for a small modern gray tile powder room remodel in Houston with a vessel sink, black cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Designing Spaces that Fit for New Homeowners in Alpha Builder Group Homes in Austin, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida The designs of the homes from Alpha Builders Group focus on the look and feel but do not forget about the comfort and efficiency. We make sure to look at every room in the house with the same care and attention to detail as we do to the important aspects of living in our homes on a day to day basis. It’s of utmost importance to have the best most Ergonomically designed home with full consideration of the Human Factor in each and every home we build. The Design Team at Alpha Builders Group strongly implements Human Factor Design and Ergonomics in to every home. These are vital concerns for us in our home designs and finishes to understand people's needs especially when working from home in these times when working from home is essential. Having the best ergonomically designed office with proper lighting, well planned space, low volt access, and more are all of tremendous importance. It’s something we firmly believe in and incorporate in every design. Our design team looks in to every square inch when it comes to the home, including office space with the perfect design layout. Alpha Builders Group understands the trends and styles as well as the accessibility of the home when building all our homes and we strongly believe in the use of natural light knowing how important natural light is for the state of mind. Clearly understanding Trends and Styles helps us be the best developer and builder of all our homes and condos in downtown Austin, Texas. Our homeowners are savvy buyers clearly understanding the Quality and Craftsmanship we put into all of our homes and condos alike. You won’t just find this in our new Modern Homes on Tillery community being developed and nearing completion in East Austin, Texas, you’ll find this attention in every home we build. Human Factor Design and the focus on Ergonomics goes in to every design we work on. We have had tremendous interest in our new Modern Homes on Tillery from the beginning and are selling quickly. We will likely sell out of this community fast, so don’t hesitate to buy your new home in East Austin, Texas or you may not have the chance. Tillery Street in East Austin … Custom. Ergonomic. Home. At Alpha Builders Group, we don’t sacrifice the quality we put in to building our homes and the speed with which they are selling is a telling sign that our homeowners really love what we are doing in Austin, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida and in all the communities we build. They love the quality of the craftsmanship and the amount of energy efficient features we put in the homes we build. We are finishing homes in several locations including where we are nearing completion of our latest new homes at Modern Homes on Tillery. These homes are nearing completion, so don’t wait to get on the list of interested buyers. Or, contact us directly to help you with your new home needs. We take care of our Realtors, so be sure to bring your buyers by to discuss how we can help customize a home for them. Move In NOW … Tillery Street in East Austin … Selling Quickly. Alpha Builders Group’s homes are truly the most beautiful new modern homes with an amazing number of special details and custom finishes to go along with our awesome craftsmanship and energy efficient construction techniques in the Austin, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida regions. You’ll want to live in an Alpha Builders Group home. There’s a difference. With downtown living at Modern Homes on Tillery and its highest quality design and attention to details, you won’t see the sacrifice of quality over price. What you will see is downtown Austin at its most beautiful. We are building the same kind of quality custom-style homes you’d find anywhere. We look at every detail and ensure these homes are built to the highest standards with the most energy efficient solutions available. We continue to have tremendous interest in our new Modern Homes on Tillery. It’s a great place to live in the heart of everything Austin has to offer. We are selling out of this community fast, so don’t hesitate to buy your new home now in East Austin, Texas before we’re all sold out! Contact one of our representatives for information about these modern new homes and the available homes remaining. Get in now to help customize your new home or come by to better understand the difference a community designed exclusively for the new modern lifestyle can provide. It’s in the holistic design, the quality interiors, and the location near it all. Share your thoughts with us or contact our Modern Homes on Tillery agent for more information. Stay tuned to the blog for more on these exciting new home communities and come out to visit any of our new modern homes. Inquire with us for more information and be a part of the modern new vibe developing in East Austin. #ergonomics #humanfactordesign #ergonomicdesign #homeofficedesign #customhomes #condos #condominiums #buildwithalpha #alphabuildersgroup #austinbuilder #newhomesaustin #contemporaryhomes #modernhomes #buildwithprofessionals #realestateinvestor #investinginrealestate #eastaustinrealestate #eastaustin #investors #2ndstdistrict #luxuryhomes #luxuryhouses #qualityhomes #modernhomesontillery #tillerystreethomes #newhomes #eastlakeattillery #liveworkplay #liveeastaustin #liveworkeastaustin

Austin Street Buils A Custom Urban Residence by Seven Rivers Design + Build Highlight The defining feature of the Austin St. Build is the use of natural plaster walls throughout the interior. Plaster brings a quiet richness—subtle texture, visual depth, and a sense of solidity that makes the home feel both timeless and grounded. This material choice reinforces Seven Rivers Design + Build’s focus on craftsmanship and tactile, human-centered design. Detail Efficient Two-Story Living This 1,500-square-foot, two-story custom home is thoughtfully organized for comfort and flow. The main level includes a bedroom and full bathroom, along with an open kitchen and living area and a conveniently placed powder room. A light-filled, open stairwell leads to the second floor, which houses an additional bedroom and bathroom, creating a balanced and flexible layout well suited for urban living. High-Performance Building Envelope The exterior walls are constructed using Hebel Block (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)—a high-performance building system that combines structural strength with excellent insulation. By incorporating air into the concrete matrix, Hebel Block delivers superior thermal performance while remaining lightweight and durable, contributing to the home’s overall energy efficiency. Energy-Efficient Comfort Systems Heating and cooling loads are intentionally minimized through envelope performance and system design. The home features in-floor radiant heating as the primary heat source, complemented by mini-split systems for supplemental heating and cooling. The result is a comfortable, efficient living environment with low operational demands. Durable, Timeless Finishes Windows: Andersen E-Series (aluminum-clad) Flooring: Natural slate on the main level Exterior Cladding: Traditional stucco Roof: Standing-seam metal Each material was selected for longevity, performance, and aesthetic restraint—supporting a home that will age gracefully over decades. The Seven Rivers Design + Build Approach The Austin St. Build exemplifies Seven Rivers Design + Build’s design/build philosophy: integrating architecture, materials, and systems into a cohesive whole. By pairing traditional finishes with modern building science, this project delivers a refined, efficient custom home that feels both contemporary and enduring.

Energy Efficiency: Every effort has been utilized to reduce and minimize energy use through an effective strategy of both passive heating and cooling, as well as state-of-the-art active solar thermal and photovoltaic on site off-grid energy production. Optimal solar orientation with an attached thermal mass food production greenhouse on the Lower Floor enables hot air to be introduced into the house during the winter, and rise via. a thermal chimney “stack effect” and distributed throughout the house. In the summer the same thermal chimney is used to channel hot air to rise up to the Upper Loft vegetated Roof Terrace, where it is exhausted. This condition provides a positive air pressure in the Winter, and a negative pressure in the summer, drawing in cooler outside air from every open window. In addition carefully proportioned roof eave overhangs provide deep passive solar gain and additional day lighting in the winter, and cooling shade in the summer. Active mechanical systems include solar thermal which produces domestic hot water and is integrated into hydronic radiant heated floors. This is supplemented with a multi-split heatpump, on demand backup hot water, and an ERV, which collectively provide active heating, cooling, dehumidification, and healthful indoor air quality. The entire house and detached Barn are off-grid with a 14.4 kW solar array, whole-house batteries, and backup generator. Further, the home is super insulated and extremely tight with high energy performing windows and doors and LED lighting throughout, and even a high efficiency woodstove. Integrated Design: From the beginning and throughout construction, this home demonstrates a close collaboration between the Architect, Contractor, and Owners. Healthful materials and finishes standards, autonomy and energy efficiency, and environmental impact and sustainability were primary goals and stressed throughout. Careful attention was paid to finishes which will require minimal long term maintenance such as the galvalume metal roof (which also provides for rainwater harvesting) and fiber cement siding for longevity. Resource Efficiency / Conservation: Resource conservation began with Schematic Design which utilizes a 2 ft. grid of modular components, thereby optimizing construction efficiency and minimizing on site waste. The site was cleared with the trees stockpiled for future lumber harvesting and firewood. The foundation walls are “Ideal Walls” which use less than half the concrete of a conventional poured wall or block, and do not require extensive concrete footings, exterior insulation, or waterproofing. These panels are prefabricated off site and set in only a few days, which further reduces on site impact and construction lead time. Resiliency: Respect for climate change and mitigating its impact were primary considerations in the design and selection of materials and systems. The home is sited high on a south facing slope as protection from high water or flood and to optimize both passive and active solar opportunity. With remarkably tight construction and super insulation the interior is buffered from both outdoor heat and cold extremes. The metal roof and fiber cement siding are fireproof and resistant to the impact of high winds. And these materials are specified for minimal maintenance and longevity. Further, the attached Greenhouse and Upper Roof Terrace is landscaped and suitable for a vegetable garden with abundant sunshine, easy to water, and with no need for fencing to keep deer at bay. All this being a notable case study for Regenerative Design. Innovation: This home exemplifies Biophilic Design principles to facilitate symbiotic living in harmony with Nature. This incorporates careful attention to natural day lighting, indoor air quality, rainwater catchment and wastewater reclamation, garden food production with vegetated roofs, the home hearth and fire, and connected interaction with the weather and the surrounding natural ecosystems. Community Impact: This EcoHome project has already been presented at several Sustainable Building lectures as a model case study for “Green Building”, including USGBC at Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Plans are underway for an Open House tour for area Architects and students.

INSULATING & ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW COVERINGS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES. Insulating window shades and blinds from Window Quilt. Thermal window shades from Window Quilt. Duette and Duette Architella energy efficient honeycomb fabric window shades from Hunter Douglas. Thermal energy efficient sunscreen fabric roller shades from Hunter Douglas, Silent Gliss, Brading, Lutron, and Altex/Sunproject. Insulating security rollshutters from Kimbel. Manual, automated/motorized options from Somfy, Lutron and Power View byHunter Douglas. Energy efficient vinyl shutters from Eclipse shutters. Custom Wood Shutters from Regal Shutters, Canada Custom Shutters and Hunter Douglas Eclipse. Storm, Insect and Weather Screens by Storm Smart, Corradi and Phantom. Retractable Pergotendas by OLS Canada.

Modern, Transitional, energy efficient Project in La Jolla with Panoramic views from almost every rooms. Photos by Jim Brady A modern Mediterranean project, panoramic ocean view with Persian architecture and Frank Loyd wright inspiration. Designed based on passive solar design. lots of daylights, cross ventilation in all rooms, pyramid ceiling and pyramid skylights, stone flooring as thermal mass to moderate temperature. use of wind catcher to prevent mold and moisture issues on the basement. Water efficient landscaping was used through out. privacy and shade was provided.energy efficient and comfortable home. energy star appliance and HVAC. solar panel, solar water heater and instant water heater were used.