Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in San Francisco

Anna M Campbell
Inspiration for a small modern backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Portland with no cover

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in San Francisco

A young family with a wooded, triangular lot in Ipswich, Massachusetts wanted to take on a highly creative, organic, and unrushed process in designing their new home. The parents of three boys had contemporary ideas for living, including phasing the construction of different structures over time as the kids grew so they could maximize the options for use on their land. They hoped to build a net zero energy home that would be cozy on the very coldest days of winter, using cost-efficient methods of home building. The house needed to be sited to minimize impact on the land and trees, and it was critical to respect a conservation easement on the south border of the lot. Finally, the design would be contemporary in form and feel, but it would also need to fit into a classic New England context, both in terms of materials used and durability. We were asked to honor the notions of “surprise and delight,” and that inspired everything we designed for the family. The highly unique home consists of a three-story form, composed mostly of bedrooms and baths on the top two floors and a cross axis of shared living spaces on the first level. This axis extends out to an oversized covered porch, open to the south and west. The porch connects to a two-story garage with flex space above, used as a guest house, play room, and yoga studio depending on the day. A floor-to-ceiling ribbon of glass wraps the south and west walls of the lower level, bringing in an abundance of natural light and linking the entire open plan to the yard beyond. The master suite takes up the entire top floor, and includes an outdoor deck with a shower. The middle floor has extra height to accommodate a variety of multi-level play scenarios in the kids’ rooms. Many of the materials used in this house are made from recycled or environmentally friendly content, or they come from local sources. The high performance home has triple glazed windows and all materials, adhesives, and sealants are low toxicity and safe for growing kids. Photographer credit: Irvin Serrano

Frank Ooms
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Austin with a shed roof

The Arcadia Louvered Roof enhances the beauty of any style home and provides the flexibility of having an open roof when the weather is good or a solid roof to keep the rain off your patio when the weather turns bad. Eco-friendly Construction The Arcadia system is made up of recycled aluminum making it an extremely Green product. It is also eco-friendly, helping consumers save on passive solar heating and cooling. We Think Green Arcadia is proud to continue the company's tradition with its approach to Environmental Innovation. From the choice of lightweight materials and lean production methods to the efficiency of its drive system and designs, Arcadia is committed to operating as a more sustainable business and reducing its overall environmental impact. High-quality Building Materials Each Arcadia system is a work of art, constructed with care and attention to every little detail. Our system is powered coated, extruded aluminum with stainless steel components giving us the most durable louvered roof on the market today. From our superior drive system, which is UL & CE certified, down to the stainless steel tex screws that secures the system together. Nothing but the best! Our low-maintenance components eliminate painting, staining, and waterproofing of traditional shading structures. Using powder-coated aluminum construction prevents warping, cracking, and corrosion. Photographed by: Roger Chafin

Revamping the laundry room brings a blend of functionality and style to an often-overlooked space. Upgrading appliances to energy-efficient models enhances efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Custom cabinetry and shelving solutions maximize storage for detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry essentials, promoting an organized and clutter-free environment. Consideration of ergonomic design, such as a folding counter or ironing station, streamlines tasks and adds a touch of convenience. Thoughtful lighting choices, perhaps with LED fixtures or natural light sources, contribute to a bright and inviting atmosphere. Flooring upgrades for durability, such as water-resistant tiles or easy-to-clean materials, can withstand the demands of laundry tasks. Ultimately, a remodeled laundry room not only elevates its practical functionality but also transforms it into a well-designed, efficient space that makes the often-dreaded chore of laundry a more pleasant experience.

Transitional kitchen photo in San Francisco

Odors impacted entire home. Need to use a fast and safe extraction method. This is where SteraMist is the bomb! https://greenworksllc.com/steramist/

The new second story flows seamlessly with the original home. The existing brickwork was salvaged to reduce costs and environmental impact. A matched set of dormers with craftsman style soffits were the perfect adornment for the new roof line.

Rich, warm yet strikingly beautiful! This kitchen got a major overhaul with its oversized island housing a pre-sing, wine fridge, and tons of storage. Relocation of the refractor to make way for the gourmet range alongside the existing window framed sink. This kitchen is "L" shaped and has a hidden pantry built-in behind the fridge.

A closer look at the integration of these post and beam systems as they pertain to loading and functionality. These discussions are always an ongoing process with engineers, such as structural.

Located in Taneatua, south of Whakatane, the Tuhoe building has been designed by Jasmax and built by Arrow International for the local iwi, Tuhoe, as part of a Living Building Challenge. Their iconic new headquarters is now one of New Zealand’s most advanced sustainable buildings – built to have virtually no environmental impact.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.

Project Objectives: Streamline the flow of spaces for enhanced daily living. Upgrade fixtures, finishes, and appliances with modern, efficient models. Implement green technologies for a lower environmental impact. Enhance curb appeal with contemporary landscaping and exterior updates. Prioritize compliance with updated building codes and efficiency standards.

The idea for Scandinavian Hardwoods came after years of countless conversations with homeowners, designers, architects, and builders. The consistent theme: they wanted more than just a beautiful floor. They wanted insight into manufacturing locations (not just the seller or importer) and what materials are used and why. They wanted to understand the product’s environmental impact and it’s effect on indoor air quality and human health. They wanted a compelling story to tell guests about the beautiful floor they’ve chosen. At Scandinavian Hardwoods, we bring all of these elements together while making luxury more accessible.

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

SGA designed this 140,000 sq ft building, completed in 2015, to provide 150 residential units, 6,000 sq ft of retail space, and parking. The building is comprised of four levels and a penthouse with a roof garden, and two levels of below-grade parking. The building was designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind in the interest of reducing its impact on the community. A green roof system reduces the heat effect on the neighborhood as well as the impact on the storm water sewer system, while increasing the building’s energy efficiency.