On a site that slopes gently down to Penobscot Bay, a Washington couple with four grown children sought to develop a house that would serve as a summer home and vacation destination for the family. Drawing from the New England vernacular of simple forms and traditional materials, the house provides modern spaces for living with two parallel but offset two-story gabled wings linked by a bridge spanning an open Great Room. This soaring space, anchored at one end by a large granite-clad fireplace, serves to link the house together, and to provide premier views of the ocean to the east. A wall of windows and doors opens to a combination covered and screened porch, providing access to a lawn sloping to the rocky coast. An open Kitchen serves the Dining Area and porch, as well as a link to the south yard and a view to an intimate cove. A private Library on the west wall provides a quiet away space. At the north wing, the Master Suite, including a Study, gains access to a private patio with commanding views of the ocean below. The upper levels of the north and south wings, provide bedrooms for the children and their families. An open bridge links the wings and provides views to the Great Room below, the sea beyond, and the front entry court to the north. A detached garage keeps cars out of view and provides a second-story get-away room. This house was completed in the summer of 2015.

On a site that slopes gently down to Penobscot Bay, a Washington couple with four grown children sought to develop a house that would serve as a summer home and vacation destination for the family. Drawing from the New England vernacular of simple forms and traditional materials, the house provides modern spaces for living with two parallel but offset two-story gabled wings linked by a bridge spanning an open Great Room. This soaring space, anchored at one end by a large granite-clad fireplace, serves to link the house together, and to provide premier views of the ocean to the east. A wall of windows and doors opens to a combination covered and screened porch, providing access to a lawn sloping to the rocky coast. An open Kitchen serves the Dining Area and porch, as well as a link to the south yard and a view to an intimate cove. A private Library on the west wall provides a quiet away space. At the north wing, the Master Suite, including a Study, gains access to a private patio with commanding views of the ocean below. The upper levels of the north and south wings, provide bedrooms for the children and their families. An open bridge links the wings and provides views to the Great Room below, the sea beyond, and the front entry court to the north. A detached garage keeps cars out of view and provides a second-story get-away room. This house was completed in the summer of 2015.

Extensive valley and mountain views inspired the siting of this simple L-shaped house that is anchored into the landscape. This shape forms an intimate courtyard with the sweeping views to the south. Looking back through the entry, glass walls frame the view of a significant mountain peak justifying the plan skew. The circulation is arranged along the courtyard in order that all the major spaces have access to the extensive valley views. A generous eight-foot overhang along the southern portion of the house allows for sun shading in the summer and passive solar gain during the harshest winter months. The open plan and generous window placement showcase views throughout the house. The living room is located in the southeast corner of the house and cantilevers into the landscape affording stunning panoramic views. Project Year: 2012

In this 1930’s home, the kitchen had been previously remodeled in the 90’s. The goal was to make the kitchen more functional, add storage and bring back the original character of the home. This was accomplished by removing the adjoining wall between the kitchen and dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar where the wall once existed. A redesign of the original breakfast nook created a space for the refrigerator, pantry, utility closet and coffee bar which camouflages the radiator. An exterior door was added so the homeowner could gain access to their back patio. The homeowner also desired a better solution for their coats, so a small mudroom nook was created in their hallway. The products installed were Waypoint 630F Cherry Spice Cabinets, Sangda Falls Quartz with Double Roundover Edge on the Countertop, Crystal Shores Random Linear Glass Tile - Sapphire Lagoon Backsplash, and Hendrik Pendant Lights.

Garage rooftop decks have gained in popularity in many cities, and are very common in Chicago as one of the best options to increase access to outdoor space, where residential space is otherwise limited. This beautiful single family home in Lakeview needed a significant garage roof deck overhaul. Rooftopia removed an old pergola and wooden decking bringing a modern aesthetic to the design of the new deck. We installed new porcelain paver floor tiles, added gorgeous Ipe privacy screens, and a Renson Pergola with an adjustable louvered waterproof cover. The Renson pergola system also seamlessly integrates three retractable screens made of fabric for privacy on three sides of the pergola, as well as LED lighting in the columns of the pergola and outdoor heaters. The pergola includes outdoor curtains to provide our clients with the ability to create a very cozy enclosure. The lighter finishes of the pavers, pergola and planter boxes keep the space looking fresh and bright all year round. Planter boxes include ornamental trees and native grasses with an integrated watering system.

On a site that slopes gently down to Penobscot Bay, a Washington couple with four grown children sought to develop a house that would serve as a summer home and vacation destination for the family. Drawing from the New England vernacular of simple forms and traditional materials, the house provides modern spaces for living with two parallel but offset two-story gabled wings linked by a bridge spanning an open Great Room. This soaring space, anchored at one end by a large granite-clad fireplace, serves to link the house together, and to provide premier views of the ocean to the east. A wall of windows and doors opens to a combination covered and screened porch, providing access to a lawn sloping to the rocky coast. An open Kitchen serves the Dining Area and porch, as well as a link to the south yard and a view to an intimate cove. A private Library on the west wall provides a quiet away space. At the north wing, the Master Suite, including a Study, gains access to a private patio with commanding views of the ocean below. The upper levels of the north and south wings, provide bedrooms for the children and their families. An open bridge links the wings and provides views to the Great Room below, the sea beyond, and the front entry court to the north. A detached garage keeps cars out of view and provides a second-story get-away room. This house was completed in the summer of 2015.

A Brush with Brass - The cool metal tones (stainless steel, nickel, chrome, etc.) that have outsold all other finishes on everything from decorative hardware to faucets to furniture have become so popular they have begun to look commonplace. Warmer brass finishes (along with copper and bronze) have been moving in from the margins and are beginning to make a splash in high-end commercial projects and contemporary design. Brass offers a compelling and intriguingly fresh look, especially with a brushed finish that is different enough from the polished brass of the 70s to look brand new! It always takes a few years before new trends fully develop and become part of mainstream interior design, but brushed brass looks are certainly gaining popularity. This Dura Supreme kitchen remodel, with it's sleek contemporary design style, utilizes brushed brass accents in lighting, decorative hardware and plumbing. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Cabinetry Brochure Packet at: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure Read more about this trend on our Blog at: " http://www.durasupreme.com/blog/brush-brass

Sited perfectly and intuitively on a beautiful parcel of land, this Vermont contemporary home is complemented by an intricate roof design, appreciated from above. The long axis of the house faces south on the gently sloping site to bring midwinter daylight and passive solar gain deep into the 16 ft. wide main volume. Just 2.5 acres of the 17.5 acre lot was developed, to minimize disturbance to the site, to preserve many of the long-lived mixed hardwood and softwood trees, including the owners’ favorite, a yellow birch with golden curly bark, and to protect the natural wetlands and stream outflow. The fully accessible main level contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, primary bedroom and bath, and a lovely westerly screened porch. Connected to the main volume are a garage with three bays including a small studio and a workshop. The home prioritizes intuitive, organic and incredibly functional spaces combined with simple stylistic elements, hints of a mid-century modern American home.

In this 1930’s home, the kitchen had been previously remodeled in the 90’s. The goal was to make the kitchen more functional, add storage and bring back the original character of the home. This was accomplished by removing the adjoining wall between the kitchen and dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar where the wall once existed. A redesign of the original breakfast nook created a space for the refrigerator, pantry, utility closet and coffee bar which camouflages the radiator. An exterior door was added so the homeowner could gain access to their back patio. The homeowner also desired a better solution for their coats, so a small mudroom nook was created in their hallway. The products installed were Waypoint 630F Cherry Spice Cabinets, Sangda Falls Quartz with Double Roundover Edge on the Countertop, Crystal Shores Random Linear Glass Tile - Sapphire Lagoon Backsplash, and Hendrik Pendant Lights.

Sited perfectly and intuitively on a beautiful parcel of land, this Vermont contemporary home is complemented by an intricate roof design, appreciated from above. The long axis of the house faces south on the gently sloping site to bring midwinter daylight and passive solar gain deep into the 16 ft. wide main volume. Just 2.5 acres of the 17.5 acre lot was developed, to minimize disturbance to the site, to preserve many of the long-lived mixed hardwood and softwood trees, including the owners’ favorite, a yellow birch with golden curly bark, and to protect the natural wetlands and stream outflow. The fully accessible main level contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, primary bedroom and bath, and a lovely westerly screened porch. Connected to the main volume are a garage with three bays including a small studio and a workshop. The home prioritizes intuitive, organic and incredibly functional spaces combined with simple stylistic elements, hints of a mid-century modern American home.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Garage rooftop decks have gained in popularity in many cities, and are very common in Chicago as one of the best options to increase access to outdoor space, where residential space is otherwise limited. This beautiful single family home in Lakeview needed a significant garage roof deck overhaul. Rooftopia removed an old pergola and wooden decking bringing a modern aesthetic to the design of the new deck. We installed new porcelain paver floor tiles, added gorgeous Ipe privacy screens, and a Renson Pergola with an adjustable louvered waterproof cover. The Renson pergola system also seamlessly integrates three retractable screens made of fabric for privacy on three sides of the pergola, as well as LED lighting in the columns of the pergola and outdoor heaters. The pergola includes outdoor curtains to provide our clients with the ability to create a very cozy enclosure. The lighter finishes of the pavers, pergola and planter boxes keep the space looking fresh and bright all year round. Planter boxes include ornamental trees and native grasses with an integrated watering system.

Sited perfectly and intuitively on a beautiful parcel of land, this Vermont contemporary home is complemented by an intricate roof design, appreciated from above. The long axis of the house faces south on the gently sloping site to bring midwinter daylight and passive solar gain deep into the 16 ft. wide main volume. Just 2.5 acres of the 17.5 acre lot was developed, to minimize disturbance to the site, to preserve many of the long-lived mixed hardwood and softwood trees, including the owners’ favorite, a yellow birch with golden curly bark, and to protect the natural wetlands and stream outflow. The fully accessible main level contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, primary bedroom and bath, and a lovely westerly screened porch. Connected to the main volume are a garage with three bays including a small studio and a workshop. The home prioritizes intuitive, organic and incredibly functional spaces combined with simple stylistic elements, hints of a mid-century modern American home.

In this 1930’s home, the kitchen had been previously remodeled in the 90’s. The goal was to make the kitchen more functional, add storage and bring back the original character of the home. This was accomplished by removing the adjoining wall between the kitchen and dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar where the wall once existed. A redesign of the original breakfast nook created a space for the refrigerator, pantry, utility closet and coffee bar which camouflages the radiator. An exterior door was added so the homeowner could gain access to their back patio. The homeowner also desired a better solution for their coats, so a small mudroom nook was created in their hallway. The products installed were Waypoint 630F Cherry Spice Cabinets, Sangda Falls Quartz with Double Roundover Edge on the Countertop, Crystal Shores Random Linear Glass Tile - Sapphire Lagoon Backsplash, and Hendrik Pendant Lights.

Extensive valley and mountain views inspired the siting of this simple L-shaped house that is anchored into the landscape. This shape forms an intimate courtyard with the sweeping views to the south. Looking back through the entry, glass walls frame the view of a significant mountain peak justifying the plan skew. The circulation is arranged along the courtyard in order that all the major spaces have access to the extensive valley views. A generous eight-foot overhang along the southern portion of the house allows for sun shading in the summer and passive solar gain during the harshest winter months. The open plan and generous window placement showcase views throughout the house. The living room is located in the southeast corner of the house and cantilevers into the landscape affording stunning panoramic views. Project Year: 2012

Garage rooftop decks have gained in popularity in many cities, and are very common in Chicago as one of the best options to increase access to outdoor space, where residential space is otherwise limited. This beautiful single family home in Lakeview needed a significant garage roof deck overhaul. Rooftopia removed an old pergola and wooden decking bringing a modern aesthetic to the design of the new deck. We installed new porcelain paver floor tiles, added gorgeous Ipe privacy screens, and a Renson Pergola with an adjustable louvered waterproof cover. The Renson pergola system also seamlessly integrates three retractable screens made of fabric for privacy on three sides of the pergola, as well as LED lighting in the columns of the pergola and outdoor heaters. The pergola includes outdoor curtains to provide our clients with the ability to create a very cozy enclosure. The lighter finishes of the pavers, pergola and planter boxes keep the space looking fresh and bright all year round. Planter boxes include ornamental trees and native grasses with an integrated watering system.

Garage rooftop decks have gained in popularity in many cities, and are very common in Chicago as one of the best options to increase access to outdoor space, where residential space is otherwise limited. This beautiful single family home in Lakeview needed a significant garage roof deck overhaul. Rooftopia removed an old pergola and wooden decking bringing a modern aesthetic to the design of the new deck. We installed new porcelain paver floor tiles, added gorgeous Ipe privacy screens, and a Renson Pergola with an adjustable louvered waterproof cover. The Renson pergola system also seamlessly integrates three retractable screens made of fabric for privacy on three sides of the pergola, as well as LED lighting in the columns of the pergola and outdoor heaters. The pergola includes outdoor curtains to provide our clients with the ability to create a very cozy enclosure. The lighter finishes of the pavers, pergola and planter boxes keep the space looking fresh and bright all year round. Planter boxes include ornamental trees and native grasses with an integrated watering system.

Sited perfectly and intuitively on a beautiful parcel of land, this Vermont contemporary home is complemented by an intricate roof design, appreciated from above. The long axis of the house faces south on the gently sloping site to bring midwinter daylight and passive solar gain deep into the 16 ft. wide main volume. Just 2.5 acres of the 17.5 acre lot was developed, to minimize disturbance to the site, to preserve many of the long-lived mixed hardwood and softwood trees, including the owners’ favorite, a yellow birch with golden curly bark, and to protect the natural wetlands and stream outflow. The fully accessible main level contains the living room, dining room, kitchen, primary bedroom and bath, and a lovely westerly screened porch. Connected to the main volume are a garage with three bays including a small studio and a workshop. The home prioritizes intuitive, organic and incredibly functional spaces combined with simple stylistic elements, hints of a mid-century modern American home.

The original residence designed by Lyndon Buchanan Associates includes two pieces, the main house and a second building that houses a small workshop, guest room and bath. The addition is adjacent to existing work spaces, and includes shelving, drawers and nooks as well as work space that will be isolated, but adjacent to the rooms of the house, making it easier to use in connection with studio spaces and proximate to exhibition cases. The addition is sited on the north west side of the main house, in a location that does not disturb any views from other houses or from Sea Gate Road, and is designed to add a segment that provides better wind-shade, privacy and sound protection for the exterior decks on the southwest. Its roof is sloped down towards the north and into the wind, providing the most effective wind-shadow protection from the common winds, and minimizing walls facing north. Large openings on the south will bring in solar gain, to be stored in the concrete floors, which will also have radiant heating. The workspace will have access from both the house and the garden, and a small concrete pad outdoors. Project was done in collaboration with Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA.