“Remodel for the Neighbors” Judkins Park Project featured on “Renovation Nation” television show Description House lift and wholesale remodel of a structure that everyone called a teardown. This is one of four homes built in 1908, in an area where townhomes are on the march, and cottages on the way out. Challenge Everything in the house was ruined. On the outside the asbestos siding was crumbling, and the back addition was turning into a nurse log. There were rickety wooden stairs to get down to the back yard, disconnecting the main living space from the yard. Inside the kitchen floor was extremely weak and rainwater was sheeting down one wall. Inspiration We loved the history of the house and wanted to preserve the fabric of the neighborhood. There was great proportion to house. It had great structural bones with a box ceiling and beautiful inlaid floor. This was a move that you make from the heart, and it drove our decisions. Solution + Innovation We honored the spirit of the historic house, but added modern elements that fit the character, kept the relationship to the street, and the integrity to the other houses in the row. We lifted the house and built a full-height ICF insulated concrete form basement, then set it back down. We built an addition to achieve an interior staircase to connect the upstairs living space with the back yard which only added 8.5 feet in length to the house. We also created a hydronic heating system in the wood floor, making this a low load hydronic house. How is it sustainable? We didn’t tear down the house and instead made the best of what we had to work with. We recycled wood and used forest salvaged wood for the cabinets. We repurposed a laboratory sink as a bath tub, and made stairs out of Garfield High School bleachers that we salvaged from another project. The overall energy usage is exceptional. We skinned the outside with insulation before the new siding went back on. We added solar, best in class windows, and LED lighting throughout. The entire 2200 square foot house uses one 50-gallon water tank, and the house is heated with this one tank.

This stunning floor to ceiling oak wall unit houses a gorgeous 500 gallon saltwater reef aquarium. The aquarium measures 96" x 36" x 36" and features a curved glass front panel. Location- Dallas, Texas Year completed- 2006 Project cost- $28,500.00

Peter Nilson
Example of a large open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Chicago with multicolored walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This custom 370 gallon in wall aquarium measures 110" x 30" x 26". Access for maintenance is from a separate space behind the aquarium. The area was originally a gas fire feature. Location- Dallas, Texas Year completed- 2016 Cost- $11,000.00

“Remodel for the Neighbors” Judkins Park Project featured on “Renovation Nation” television show Description House lift and wholesale remodel of a structure that everyone called a teardown. This is one of four homes built in 1908, in an area where townhomes are on the march, and cottages on the way out. Challenge Everything in the house was ruined. On the outside the asbestos siding was crumbling, and the back addition was turning into a nurse log. There were rickety wooden stairs to get down to the back yard, disconnecting the main living space from the yard. Inside the kitchen floor was extremely weak and rainwater was sheeting down one wall. Inspiration We loved the history of the house and wanted to preserve the fabric of the neighborhood. There was great proportion to house. It had great structural bones with a box ceiling and beautiful inlaid floor. This was a move that you make from the heart, and it drove our decisions. Solution + Innovation We honored the spirit of the historic house, but added modern elements that fit the character, kept the relationship to the street, and the integrity to the other houses in the row. We lifted the house and built a full-height ICF insulated concrete form basement, then set it back down. We built an addition to achieve an interior staircase to connect the upstairs living space with the back yard which only added 8.5 feet in length to the house. We also created a hydronic heating system in the wood floor, making this a low load hydronic house. How is it sustainable? We didn’t tear down the house and instead made the best of what we had to work with. We recycled wood and used forest salvaged wood for the cabinets. We repurposed a laboratory sink as a bath tub, and made stairs out of Garfield High School bleachers that we salvaged from another project. The overall energy usage is exceptional. We skinned the outside with insulation before the new siding went back on. We added solar, best in class windows, and LED lighting throughout. The entire 2200 square foot house uses one 50-gallon water tank, and the house is heated with this one tank.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

Gayler’s design team and construction crew worked closely with the aquarium experts. Several meetings were held to discuss and review every aspect of the 250-gallon saltwater fish tank. Among those details it was determined that the cabinet needed to be built with a steel frame in order to support the weight of the 3,000-pound tank. A chase cooling system was also installed below the tank in order to keep the water at a required, cooler temperature. New cabinetry had to be measured with extreme care to cover the original cabinet footprint. Since the existing kitchen tile flooring would be difficult to find, Gayler also took special care during construction to protect the tile. The dated cabinetry in the kitchen and butler’s pantry was replaced with all new semi-custom inset maple cabinets painted in a Swiss Coffee finish. A full overlay, custom-built kitchen hood, also in painted maple, anchors the kitchen’s large size and is complimented by a full ceiling-height backsplash in a herringbone pattern. Since the tile was custom-made, it had variations. Gayler Design Build took meticulous care to select and lay the tile to preserve the beautiful pattern. The kitchen counters, the island, and the butler's pantry are finished in a marble-inspired Sereno Bianco Quartz. To the delight of our client, they selected all new high-end appliances. Their appliance package included a SubZero 36” Integrated column refrigerator and freezer, a Wolf 60” dual fuel, 6 burner with a double griddle, a Thermador oven and microwave, a Thermador warming drawer, a Cove 24” dishwasher, a SubZero 15” Ice Maker and a SubZero 24” undercounter wine refrigerator. Finally, pendant lighting, open and glass shelving, and dual sinks make a dramatic statement to this fantastic kitchen and butler's pantry transformation.

Aside from the larger concerns of temperature and humidity control in an indoor poolroom, the pool has a beach entry and an infinity edge flowing off into a concrete and tiled trough near the large commercial south facing windows. The waterfall appears to drain into the pond outside the glass tight to the building. All lines of site from the pool house and guest house cannot see the trough or bottom of the windows- the desired look envisioned by the owners. A 20,000-gallon surge tank was placed below the mechanical room to allow the pool level to drop below a weir wall at the spa allowing the spa water to be heated. | Photography: Landmark Photography

LEED certification level: Platinum. Builder: GCCM Construction Services LLC dba UberGreen Spaces & Homes. Mark Twain said it best, "If the world were to end today I'd move to Kentucky because they are 20 years behind everyone else." There is some truth to that because Kentuckians believe that 'if it aint broke dont fix it'. We designed and built Kentucky's first LEED Platinum Net Zero Energy Net Zero Water home in the private sector. We named the home 'My Green Kentucky Home' playing off the state song 'My Old Kentucky Home'. Our take on a home should have people and the planet in mind. We found LEED to be the best most credible third-party green certification program to address these important challenges today. The envelope of the home was designed to minimize energy losses and maximize inside comfort by using Insulated Concrete Form walls from the footers to the roof, spray foam and blown in cellulose in the attic, rigid foam beneath the Lower Level basement slab and triple-pane fully insulated casement windows. The home was oriented with the back facing south to maximize daylighting, passive heating in the winter and solar production. Our HVAC is geothermal with a storage tank to preheat domestic water. A fresh air system was installed in the return side of the HVAC system to filter and then mix with supply air to the home. All paints were zero VOC. The reclaimed KY horse farm fencing turned into beautiful hardwood floors was finished with a low VOC sealer. Carpets were low VOC and the 100% recycled padding was zero VOC. The custom cabinets for the kitchen and baths were made locally and built with FSC certified plywood with no added formaldehyde. The home collects 100% of the rainwater that hits the roof into a 3,300 gallon rainwater collection tank. The primary use of the collected water is to irrigate the lawns, landscaped beds and supply the hose bibs. When the tank is low it automatically shuts the tank valve and opens the city water valve to operate with city water pressure until the tank fills past a certain level, saving electricity and wear and tear on the pump. The cistern is designed to service all the homes domestic water needs when KY State Plumbing code will allow it in the future. All appliances are Energy Star and locally made by GE. The counter tops on all cabinets are recycled materials and durable without requiring sealers or maintenance. We went a step further for indoor air quality and installed AirRenew drywall by Certainteed which works like trees do in the environment by pulling in VOC's into the drywall and making it inert. The Florida Tile was made in Kentucky with recycled content. We monitor all utility usage per electrical circuit and monitor the amount of energy produced by the solar panels as well helping the owners make more informed decisions. The home was such a hit that it was the catalyst that sparked development in a dormant neighborhood of vacant lots. We had the home open for three months to the public where hundreds of folks toured it as it was laid out like an art museum. We had actual walls open all the way to the outside layer of ICF insulation where they saw the concrete and steel inside the walls. We also had the lower level basement slab cut open to show how we insulate beneath the concrete and how we drain and mitigate radon. It was a super inspirational project that made people think about people and the planet much differently than before. We hope to continue making great projects like these to help inspire, educate and create awareness around some of the most important topics and challenges we face today. Thank you to everyone at the USGBC for helping us make this happen and the great work you do every day!

Just outside the kitchen we have a Bar in the same Matt Black MT210 Fenix Nero Ingo as leading into a dining table and family room. Across the Bar we have a 600 Gallon Shark Tank that is Concealed using the same MT210 Fenix Nero Ingo Panels.

10k gallon well water tank and 30k gallon rainwater collection tank made out of corrugated galvanized steel
Inspiration for a huge metal exterior home remodel in Austin

Terrace and grill station with Storage Pavilion off the the left in photo
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun side yard concrete paver lawn edging in Philadelphia for summer.

Large transitional style, painted & glazed custom kitchen/dining area featuring a large prep island with seating, a built-in 120 gallon salt water aquarium, custom made copper hood, wirelessly-controlled LED lighting throughout. Mike Tuell Photography

Measuring 8' long, the built-in 450 gallon aquarium really brightens this Man Cave/Wine Cellar. Location- Dallas, Texas Year Completed- 2012 Project Cost- $12,000.00

If you’re looking to save precious space in the bathroom, you’re not alone. In small bathrooms especially, square footage is a precious commodity. Modern space-saver The Veil wall-hung toilet is the perfect solution. With its concealed tank and minimal footprint, Veil can save up to 12 inches of coveted bathroom space over floor-mounted toilets. And its modern style fits beautifully with contemporary bathrooms. The tank and mounting hardware are out of sight behind the wall, which helps make the toilet look sleek and seamless. And the raised bowl makes cleaning underneath it easy. Choose your bowl height and more Veil’s durable steel-frame carrier is installed behind the wall and the bowl can be set at your preferred height, anywhere from 15 3/8 inches up to 28 1/2 inches from the floor. The dual-flush actuator lets you choose between a 0.8-gallon flush for light waste and a 1.6-gallon flush for bulk waste, allowing you to save as much as 6,000 gallons of water annually over a traditional 1.6-gallon toilet. The flush actuator plate is available in a variety of finishes to coordinate with any bathroom décor. It can be removed for easy access to the inner tank components.

2 burner range Refrigerator (4.7 cubic feet) Penguin II air conditioner Propane tank 5 gallon w/gauge Lightweight plywood cabinetry Single sink w/pull-out galley faucet Solar power 12V/USB outlet in cabover Exterior 110V patio outlet EZ charge battery charging port LED patio light – switched Power roof vent in bath Single battery compartment w/manual disconnect Systems monitor panel w/LED battery indicator Wall switched LED interior lighting Exhaust fan Black tank for toilet only Grey tank for sink and shower **2019 production model will include one-piece shower/bathroom insert Water pump w/in-line filter Enclosed and insulated holding tanks Suburban on-demand water heater Floor length – 8′ 10″ Overall length – 17′ 5″ Exterior width – 7′ 7″ Exterior height – 8′ 5″ Interior height – 6′ 1″ Cabover height – 3′ 2″

59" x 24" x 45" 275 gallons Saltwater Community Fish Acrylic Aquarium Exhibit-Grade Artificial Reef Insert
Living room photo in Los Angeles

96" x 24" x 24" 240 gallons Saltwater Community Fish Acrylic Aquarium Living Reef