Example of a mid-sized guest bedroom design with purple walls

Elegant curved stair with wood handrail system in Atlanta, GA.
Large wooden curved staircase photo in Atlanta with painted risers

Mid-sized southwest backyard concrete patio photo

Foundation Design
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

R.Davis
Inspiration for a timeless staircase remodel in Denver

LEED Certification Level: V4 Builder: BPC Green Builders, LLC Architect: Trillium Architects. The Taft School faculty home serves as a high performance residence and learning lab for students. The project also earned certification through ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS, Water Sense, PHIUS, and Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes with Living Building Challenge Petal recognition pending. The project team was honored with third place in the 2014 Connecticut Zero Energy Home Challenge. Excluding the photovoltaic installation the HERS index was 33, and with the 13.1 kW the HERS index is -14. A year of utility bills show the home is producing more electricity than it uses. Located on a quiet street adjacent to campus the existing, historic home was deconstructed and materials donated or reused where possible. Challenged to find high efficiency windows that were historic commission acceptable, the team installed Klearwall awnings or casements over fixed glass (to mimic double hungs) with simulated divided lites (u-values as low as 0.13). A high solar heat gain coefficient (0.58) facilitates the passive solar gain for winter months, while well designed overhangs and a pergola shade summer sun. Double stud walls have 2¼” closed cell foam plus 8½” dense pack cellulose for a R-49 cavity. The exterior sheathing is R-6.6 Zip Wall System with taped seams to create the continuous air barrier. Inside the solid concrete foundation is 3” closed cell foam behind 2x4 stud walls and R-32 cellulose in the cavity. Prefabricated TJI joists frame the attic floor, an insulated “room” houses the heat recovery ventilator and ductwork, and blown in cellulose blankets it all in R-86. The house tested 0.6ACH50 proving the effectiveness of its air-tight envelope and attention to air sealing. Heating and cooling is provided by efficient air source heat pumps (9.2 HSPF, 16.5 SEER) and delivered by short duct runs which tested extremely tight. A heat pump water heater provides domestic hot water and an on-demand switch, with an occupancy sensor at each bath, ensures hot water is delivered fast and efficiently. Low flow fixtures are WaterSense certified, appliances are Energy Star labeled, and all LED lighting. A Zehnder Novus 300 (93.3% efficient) HRV supplies 112 cfm of continuous fresh air while using only 32 watts of power and running quietly. The homeowners control the mechanical ventilation through the intuitive wall-mounted control pad to shut off or increase the ventilation. Chemicals and contaminants were reduced by using low VOC and GreenGuard certified sealants, adhesives, primers, and paints. A walk-off matt at the side entry and hardwood floors help control dirt and dust. The granite front steps were salvaged and local stone used for the patio and stone walls. Storm water runoff from the roof, patio, and driveway is managed by the rain garden. The native landscaping is low maintenance, a community garden produces vegetables, and the chicken coop is powered by its own roof mounted PV panels. Taft School Director of Environmental Stewardship, Carly Borken has used the design and construction process as a teaching tool for her science classes. With access to the home monitoring system they can virtually access the residents’ consumption.

Margy Taylor
Inspiration for an eclectic staircase remodel in Louisville

Timbertech deck and Belgard Porcelain pavers
Minimalist home design photo in Boise

A desirable backyard 'living room', complete with wet bar, hot tub, and a golf green! In one day we jointed this well-balanced combination of dimensional and flagstone concrete pavers. The results are compelling!

Trendy wooden straight glass railing staircase photo in Toronto with wooden risers

Example of a classic home design design in Philadelphia

Julie J. Mayhew
Inspiration for a small timeless white tile and stone tile marble floor home design remodel in Milwaukee with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Dining table with legs in extra clear transparent glass 19 mm thick. Top Radix Canaletto Walnut 44 mm thick with irregular solid edges. Also available in ebony matte finish. - For more information, please contact IQMatics 847.885.3600

PrismMatrix Constellation, plastered by Pearl Pool Plastering, Raleigh, NC
Pool - mid-sized traditional backyard stone and custom-shaped natural pool idea in Raleigh

Close-up of the faux walnut--would you think this is paint?!
Example of a country home office design in Dallas