This modern home is designed to take advantage of views with a sunroom and box bay windows. The courtyard entry garage has a personnel door leading to a covered side porch, and a convenient storage bench awaits at the entrance to the home. An efficient kitchen serves the breakfast and dining rooms, and the master suite is positioned for privacy. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and extra storage space are on the second floor.

Stephanie Barnes-Castro is a full service architectural firm specializing in sustainable design serving Santa Cruz County. Her goal is to design a home to seamlessly tie into the natural environment and be aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient.

This modern home is designed to take advantage of views with a sunroom and box bay windows. The courtyard entry garage has a personnel door leading to a covered side porch, and a convenient storage bench awaits at the entrance to the home. An efficient kitchen serves the breakfast and dining rooms, and the master suite is positioned for privacy. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and extra storage space are on the second floor.

This modern home is designed to take advantage of views with a sunroom and box bay windows. The courtyard entry garage has a personnel door leading to a covered side porch, and a convenient storage bench awaits at the entrance to the home. An efficient kitchen serves the breakfast and dining rooms, and the master suite is positioned for privacy. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and extra storage space are on the second floor.

This converted detached garage features a light blue stucco exterior complemented by a vibrant orange front door and a sliding glass patio entry. Set against a white wooden fence and dirt yard, the compact 330 square foot accessory dwelling unit maximizes backyard space efficiently.

Perfect for a view lot, the Mosscliff brings tons of livability in an efficient walkout basement home. An island kitchen serves a single dining area and great room, and accesses a massive utility room and pantry conveniently close to the garage entry. Two covered porches downstairs, and front and rear porches plus a screen porch upstairs bring the outside in.

This modern home is designed to take advantage of views with a sunroom and box bay windows. The courtyard entry garage has a personnel door leading to a covered side porch, and a convenient storage bench awaits at the entrance to the home. An efficient kitchen serves the breakfast and dining rooms, and the master suite is positioned for privacy. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and extra storage space are on the second floor.

This modern home is designed to take advantage of views with a sunroom and box bay windows. The courtyard entry garage has a personnel door leading to a covered side porch, and a convenient storage bench awaits at the entrance to the home. An efficient kitchen serves the breakfast and dining rooms, and the master suite is positioned for privacy. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and extra storage space are on the second floor.

While keeping the exterior intact, this 815 square foot freestanding, Edwardian home was gutted and re-framed by Michael Merrill Design Studio to accommodate a clean, crisp, ultramodern design. Small and compact, the new layout widened the existing gallery while also making the residence's only closet more efficient and accessible. Barn doors help to accentuate the height of the residence's ceiling. The bathroom's entry was moved from the kitchen to the gallery. The details help to make the bathroom, which is just over 50 square feet, feel quite spacious. Lastly, custom cabinetry in the chef's kitchen maximizes storage while providing a clean, contemporary feeling. (2006-2008) Photos © John Sutton Photography

Therma-Tru Smooth-Star fiberglass doors painted Pure White (SW7005). Energy-efficient Low-E glass features 15-lite simulated divided lites (SDLs).
Elegant double front door photo with beige walls and a white front door

This project transforms a summer home into a year-round residence using language derived from New England agrarian architecture. Located within a meadow in an otherwise forested area, the program called for an art studio connected to the existing house, and two workshops in a separate building. The resulting courtyard arrangement improved the approach and entry sequence and created a sense of space. A pared-down aesthetic is rooted in the past but clearly of the present, and provides a serene backdrop for the workspaces. Net Zero Energy usage is achieved through an efficient building envelope, a ground source heat pump, and a 20kW photovoltaic array on the South and West roofs of the new structures.

This Country home plan works well for narrow lots, with its front-entry garage. The efficient floor plan features open living spaces, creating an easy flow from room to room. Storage is thoughtfully placed throughout the home, including a kitchen pantry, to keep everything organized. The large screened porch is a relaxing outdoor retreat with a fireplace, skylights, and a stunning cathedral ceiling.

Perfect for a view lot, the Mosscliff brings tons of livability in an efficient walkout basement home. An island kitchen serves a single dining area and great room, and accesses a massive utility room and pantry conveniently close to the garage entry. Two covered porches downstairs, and front and rear porches plus a screen porch upstairs bring the outside in.