Deborah Scannell Photography

Eat-in kitchen - transitional eat-in kitchen idea in Birmingham with white cabinets, white backsplash and black appliances

Inspiration for a modern concrete floor walk-in shower remodel in San Francisco with a vessel sink

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Photography by Michael Mccreary.
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Example of a minimalist kitchen design in San Francisco

Andrew McKinney Photography Not every kitchen on houzz is enormous! Here's a 10' x 10' kitchen. It seems that painted white kitchens never go out of favor. While the cabinets, faucets and hardware lean toward a more traditional look, that look is tempered by the modern lines of grey glass tile and the chimney hood. And instead of carrara marble counter tops, the client opted for quartz for a similar look (Cambria's "Torquay").

Photo Andrew Wuttke
Large trendy backyard tile patio photo in Melbourne with a roof extension

Scott DuBose Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in San Francisco with quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island, white countertops, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets and gray cabinets

Tucson Kitchen Design - These Tucson homeowners wanted a kitchen that would boast every amenity but create a relaxed and unpretentious ranch house feel. We created a true chef’s kitchen that incorporates all the modern amenities a professional chef could desire while creating the impression of a kitchen that has been lived with for generations. Details like the tin ceiling, tile countertops and warm un-fussy cabinetry work together with the existing Saltillo tile floors to provide them with the ideal space for family gatherings in this clients’ winter home in Agua Caliente Ranch Estates."

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio remodel in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Barry Grossman Photography
Example of a trendy white floor living room design in Miami with a ribbon fireplace

Ed Ritger Photography
Transitional kitchen photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a large coastal enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Portland with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Kitchen
Kitchen - cottage kitchen idea in Philadelphia with white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

J. Sinclair
Large elegant stone back porch photo in Raleigh with a roof extension

Example of a huge classic dark wood floor living room design in Seattle with a standard fireplace, no tv and white walls

The linear fireplace with stainless trim creates a dramatic focal point in this contemporary family room. Dave Adams Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in Sacramento with a ribbon fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, white walls and a metal fireplace