This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

The living room is anchored by a dramatic double-height bookcase that transforms the space into a personal library and architectural focal point. Reaching toward the soaring ceiling, the custom shelving is accessed by a rolling ladder that adds both function and timeless character. Curated books, collected objects, and artwork fill the shelves, creating a layered display that reflects the homeowner's story and passions. Comfortable seating, warm textures, and thoughtful lighting balance the scale of the room, making it equally suited for quiet reading, intimate conversation, and entertaining. The result is a living space that feels grand yet inviting, where every detail contributes to a sense of warmth, personality, and discovery.

The Belfast Residence in Ohio is a new construction, custom modern house situated on a 150 acre farm. Panda solved the challenge of extending the intimate space of the kitchen into the expansiveness of the backyard by installing fully retractable TS.60 All Aluminum Thermally Broken Folding Door Systems. Custom designed for this space, this elegant and durable folding door system spans the entire wall of the kitchen. This door system uses cutting-edge aluminum extrusions with a polyamide bar to connect the frame together while reducing heat or cold transfer. When closed, this Bi-Fold door system provides a protective barrier that lowers u-factors, limits condensation, increases energy performance, and most of all reduces thermal conductivity. The architectural firm, Drawing Dept. designed a cantilevered roof reaching out over the pool on axis with a sunken fire pit, drawing the geometry of the house further out into the landscape. As a result, the heart of the home unrestrictedly extends toward the fire pit for optimal physical and visual connection. Impressive architectural design intertwined with Panda’s custom Bi-Fold doors can create unimaginable opportunities. No wonder this home was awarded the 2013 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cincinnati and the 2013 Honor Award from the CDA + Cincinnati Magazine for its exterior space! Panda’s custom designed Bi-Fold Doors ensure that a homeowner can equally and cohesively enjoy their interior and exterior spaces. Views from the house and views of the house should hold equal merit. To view more of Panda’s Bi-Fold Doors, please check out our gallery http://www.panda-windows.com/products/by-type/folding-doors. Architect: Drawing Dept. Contractor: Camery Hensley Construction Photography: Ross Van Pelt

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

This crisp, white kitchen balances clean-lined cabinetry with the warmth of rich hardwood flooring underfoot. Marble-veined quartz countertops and a matching full-height backsplash lend a polished, cohesive backdrop for the stainless steel appliances, while brushed nickel bar pulls add a subtle architectural detail throughout. A pass-through opening keeps the space feeling open and connected, and thoughtful touches — a magnetic knife block, a rotating spice rack, integrated task lighting beneath the upper cabinets — reflect a kitchen designed for both everyday function and effortless entertaining. The result is a bright, sophisticated space that feels equally at home for a quiet morning coffee or a full dinner party.

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

Charcoal siding, with its tremendous range and adaptability, looks equally in the outdoors when coupled with materials that are fascinated by the landscape. The exterior is exquisite from Fiber Cement Lap Siding and Fiber Cement Shingle Siding which is complemented with white door trims and frieze board. The appeal of this charcoal grey siding as an exterior tint is its flexibility and versatility. Subtle changes in tone and surrounding frame may result in a stunning array of home designs!

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

George Ranalli Architect's custom designed floating bed was a true masterpiece, incorporating both style and practicality in a way that was both visually stunning and highly functional. The bed was designed to appear as if it was floating above the ground, with concealed storage drawers below that provided ample storage for bedding, clothing, and other items. George Ranalli Architect's "floating Bed" frame is crafted from high-quality materials, with a sleek and modern design that adds a touch of sophistication to the space. The storage drawers are expertly concealed, with smooth gliding mechanisms that made them easy to open and close. The result is a bed that is both beautiful and practical, with ample storage that allows for a clutter-free and organized space. The bespoke headboard is equally impressive, featuring Venetian silk fabric for luxury and elegance. The fabric was carefully chosen to complement the design of the room, with a soft texture and muted color that created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware

When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture and quiet luxury. With views to a park-like backyard and natural light streaming in, this kitchen is as beautiful as it is livable—elevated everyday living at its finest. Notable materials include: CABINETRY BY RUTT Handcrafted Cabinetry / Zellige Tile Backsplash - Cle Zellige Moroccan Tile / Countertops - IRG, Calacatta Brasil 3/4" Polished / Galley Workstation / Brass and Crystal Sconces from Restoration Hardware