Employed - Photos & Ideas

Our design for the expansion and gut renovation of a small 1200 square foot house in a residential neighborhood triples is size, and reworks the living arrangement. The rear addition takes advantage of southern exposure with a "greenhouse" room that provides solar heat gain in winter, shading in summer, and a vast connection to the rear yard. Architecturally, we used an approach we call "willful practicality." The new soaring ceiling ties together first and second floors in a dramatic volumetric expansion of space, while providing increased ventilation and daylighting from greenhouse to operable windows and skylights at the peak. Exterior pockets of space are created from curved forces pushing in from outside to form cedar clad porch and stoop. Sustainable design is employed throughout all materials, energy systems and insulation. Masonry exterior walls and concrete floors provide thermal mass for the interior by insulating the exterior. An ERV system facilitates increased air changes and minimizes changes to the interior air temperature. Energy and water saving features and renewable, non-toxic materal selections are important aspects of the house design. Environmental community issues are addressed with a drywell in the side yard to mitigate rain runoff into the town sewer system. The long sloping south facing roof is in anticipation of future solar panels, with the standing seam metal roof providing anchoring opportunities for the panels. The exterior walls are clad in stucco, cedar, and cement-fiber panels defining different areas of the house. Closed cell spray insulation is applied to exterior walls and roof, giving the house an "air-tight" seal against air infiltration and a high R-value. The ERV system provides the ventilation needed with this tight envelope. The interior comfort level and economizing are the beneficial results of the building methods and systems employed in the house. Photographer: Peter Kubilus

Concrete House

Charles Rose Architects Inc.

We were given the challenge of designing a house overlooking a pond on a site constrained by wetlands. Our client had an interest in permanence and solidity and a desire to work with architectural concrete. Additionally, the client desired interiors that would showcase their substantial art collection. Our design approach began with the footprint of an L-shaped courtyard house, which in part, was determined by the limited buildable area. The house is sited on a natural rise in the land, allowing the first floor elevation to rise 15 ft above the pond’s surface; this height provides dynamic views through the trees that separate the house from the pond. Ultimately, our design leverages the inherent capabilities of architectural concrete i.e. its structural capacity; the material allows for bold cantilevers and expanses of glass, creating greater transparency between interior and exterior environments. The interior palette is comprised of rift sawn oak with 16-inch wide oak plank flooring, oak casework and millwork, a stainless steel and glass main staircase, and minimalist concrete details throughout. On the upper level, the plan accommodates a master bedroom suite, three children’s bedrooms, and a family room. The first floor includes a guest bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, office, and family room. The ground level has a recreational room, a mudroom, and office/studio. The site plan employs native plantings and includes a small resistance pool in the courtyard. Concrete will be utilized for all of the house’s structural and insulation components. This method modulates the fluctuation of interior temperature, creating both an energy-efficient envelope and enough concrete mass to keep temperatures moderate and consistent throughout a 24-hour day. The employment of triple-glazed windows and a triple-glazed aluminum curtain wall further increases the project’s energy efficiency and allows the house to have abundant glass. Natural light permeates the interior and affords spectacular view in all directions of both Todd Pond and the neighboring woodlands.

Roof, Gutters and Masonry - Deer Park IL

A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc.

About A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. We are Chicagoland’s Premier Roofing, Siding, Gutters and Windows Experts. FREE ESTIMATES | www.abedward.com | (847) 827-1605 At A.B. Edward, we enjoy working closely with our customers to provide honest information while exploring all possibilities. This attention to detail ensures a hassle-free experience in every facet of sales and service covering a multitude of residential construction projects. We have an A+ Better Business Rating Since 2003 & are an Angie’s List Super Service Award Company! Our company specializes in Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Windows Contractor Sales and service of the highest quality backed by comprehensive warranties are the hallmark of A.B. Edward. Our working relationship begins, as it should; listening to you and our relationship will continue long after your project is completed. We pride ourselves on making customers happy before, during and after a project is completed. Just listen to what some of our customers are saying about our roofing products and services in the North Shore, Illinois Area. Today, our family-owned and operated business proudly employs more than 30 people, and our services go well beyond roofing to include, roofing, siding, gutters, windows, masonry, insulation, decks, exterior painting, stucco, carpentry and more. Your home is your single greatest investment, and so we strive to treat your home as our own, taking care to ensure top-quality products, distinctive design, and expert installation, all backed by comprehensive warranties. Let us create the home of your dreams and we’ll take every step to be sure you’re 100% satisfied with your project and become another one of our “lifetime customers.” Please take a few moments to review our services, and feel free to contact us at any time, either by phone or email. As always, we provide our customers with a free written estimate for all of our residential construction projects. The goals of our company are simple: To achieve complete 100% customer satisfaction. To build trust by sharing professional advice based on vast experience. To provide the finest professional service to our customers. ### About A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc. Since 2003 A.B. Edward Enterprises, Incorporated has been providing Chicagoland homeowners with products and installations in the roofing, siding, windows and gutters industry. A.B. Edward has an unblemished A+ Better Business Bureau rating, an Angie’s List Super Service Award Company, and also delivers top industry leading products such as GAF, James Hardie Siding Products, Pella Windows and Doors, DaVinci Roofscapes, Mastic Exterior Siding and more. Today, the family-owned and operated business proudly employs more than 30 people, and our services go well beyond roofing to include, masonry, insulation, decks, exterior painting, stucco, carpentry and more.

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Tanglewood by SummerHill Homes

SummerHill Homes

The vibrant city of Mountain View's claim to fame today is the employment headquarters for many top Silicon Valley companies, yet it still offers a traditional neighborhood for a place called home - your new home. Located on 450 N. Whisman Road in Mountain View, Tanglewood will offer: • 22 Single Family Homes • 15 Attached Homes • Private Yards - per lot • Downstairs bedroom - per plan • Proximity to work centers and major employers • Close to restaurants, shopping, outdoor amenities and parks *Tanglewood sold out in October 2017*

ReHOME - Innovation for Social Good

Coates Design Architecture + Interiors

Architect Matthew Coates’ award-winning “ReHOME: Resilience & Regeneration” project takes on two pressing social and environmental issues: the lack of affordable housing in cities throughout the United States, and the vast amount of waste produced during construction and demolition. This project won the prestigious 2022 AIA Seattle’s Award of Merit in “Research & Innovation” owing to its plan to save millions of dollars in resources while creating jobs that develop employable skills and constructing low-cost housing for diverse demographics. Through community engagement and volunteer work, future residents will benefit from the housing while learning skills of construction and management. The vision is to then introduce volunteers to industries wherein they might acquire future employment. This project introduces innovations not yet utilized in efforts to increase the inventory of affordable housing.

Roof, Gutters and Masonry - Deer Park IL

A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc.

Roof, Gutters and Masonry - Deer Park IL

A.B. Edward Enterprises, Inc.

Tanglewood by SummerHill Homes

SummerHill Homes

Tanglewood by SummerHill Homes

SummerHill Homes

Beach Retreat

Emily Moss Designs

Bedroom - coastal medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper bedroom idea in Tampa with gray walls

Asian Inspired Woodland Garden

Jay Sifford

An artistic dry creek bed was installed to address runoff issues. Photo by Jay Sifford
Inspiration for an asian landscaping in Charlotte.

Art Filled Townhouse

Axis Mundi Design

"Revival” implies a retread of an old idea—not our interests at Axis Mundi. So when renovating an 1840s Greek Revival brownstone, subversion was on our minds. The landmarked exterior remains unchanged, as does the residence’s unalterable 19-foot width. Inside, however, a pristine white space forms a backdrop for art by Warhol, Basquiat and Haring, as well as intriguing furnishings drawn from the continuum of modern design—pieces by Dalí and Gaudí, Patrick Naggar and Poltrona Frau, Armani and Versace. The architectural envelope references iconic 20th-century figures and genres: Jean Prouvé-like shutters in the kitchen, an industrial-chic bronze staircase and a ground-floor screen employing cast glass salvaged from Gio Ponti’s 1950s design for Alitalia’s Fifth Avenue showroom (paired with mercury mirror and set within a bronze grid). Unable to resist a bit of our usual wit, Greek allusions appear in a dining room fireplace that reimagines classicism in a contemporary fashion and lampshades that slyly recall the drapery of Greek sculpture. Size: 2,550 sq. ft. Design Team: John Beckmann and Richard Rosenbloom Photography: Adriana Bufi, Andrew Garn, and Annie Schlecter © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Boulder planted with ferns and moss.

Jay Sifford

Innisfree Garden, Millbrook, NY. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic rock landscaping in Charlotte.

Fifth Avenue Penthouse

Shenton Architects LLP

Built in 1925, this 15-story neo-Renaissance cooperative building is located on Fifth Avenue at East 93rd Street in Carnegie Hill. The corner penthouse unit has terraces on four sides, with views directly over Central Park and the city skyline beyond. The project involved a gut renovation inside and out, down to the building structure, to transform the existing one bedroom/two bathroom layout into a two bedroom/three bathroom configuration which was facilitated by relocating the kitchen into the center of the apartment. The new floor plan employs layers to organize space from living and lounge areas on the West side, through cooking and dining space in the heart of the layout, to sleeping quarters on the East side. A glazed entry foyer and steel clad “pod”, act as a threshold between the first two layers. All exterior glazing, windows and doors were replaced with modern units to maximize light and thermal performance. This included erecting three new glass conservatories to create additional conditioned interior space for the Living Room, Dining Room and Master Bedroom respectively. Materials for the living areas include bronzed steel, dark walnut cabinetry and travertine marble contrasted with whitewashed Oak floor boards, honed concrete tile, white painted walls and floating ceilings. The kitchen and bathrooms are formed from white satin lacquer cabinetry, marble, back-painted glass and Venetian plaster. Exterior terraces are unified with the conservatories by large format concrete paving and a continuous steel handrail at the parapet wall. Photography by www.petermurdockphoto.com

MANTELS & BREASTFRONTS

Jaeger & Ernst Custom Cabinetmakers

log cabin mantel wall design Integrated Wall 2255.1 The skilled custom design cabinetmaker can help a small room with a fireplace to feel larger by simplifying details, and by limiting the number of disparate elements employed in the design. A wood storage room, and a general storage area are incorporated on either side of this fireplace, in a manner that expands, rather than interrupts, the limited wall surface. Restrained design makes the most of two storage opportunities, without disrupting the focal area of the room. The mantel is clean and a strong horizontal line helping to expand the visual width of the room. The renovation of this small log cabin was accomplished in collaboration with architect, Bethany Puopolo. A log cabin’s aesthetic requirements are best addressed through simple design motifs. Different styles of log structures suggest different possibilities. The eastern seaboard tradition of dovetailed, square log construction, offers us cabin interiors with a different feel than typically western, round log structures.

Island Guest House

Litzler Studios

David served as project manager for this new building while employed at Stoner Architects. These photos are presented here with their permission. Contractor: P&M Construction Structural Engineer: Quantum Consulting Engineers Timber Frame: Salisbury Woodworking

Obagi Laguna Beach

Seasons Landscaping

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern partial sun front yard concrete paver formal garden in Orange County.

Woodland garden 1

Jay Sifford

Jay Sifford
This is an example of an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Comfortable Contemporary

Signature Design & Cabinetry LLC

Pull out knife block makes use of a small space while keep essential cooking tools close at hand. ~ Brian DalBalcon Photography
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional kitchen idea in Seattle

Cooperstown Farmhouse

The Working Kitchen, Ltd.

Photo: Vicki Bodine
Example of a large country medium tone wood floor kitchen design in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island