Located in, Summit Park, Park City UT lies one of the most efficient houses in the country. The Summit Haus – designed and built by Chris Price of PCD+B, is an exploration in design and construction of advanced high performance housing. Seeing a rising demand for sustainable housing along with rising Carbon emissions leading to global warming, this house strives to show that sensible, good design can create spaces adequate for today’s housing demands while adhering to strict standards. The house was designed to meet the very rigid Passiv House rating system – 90% more efficient than a typical home in the area. The house itself was intended to nestle neatly into the 45 degree sloped site and to take full advantage of the limited solar access and views. The views range from short, highly wooded views to a long corridor out towards the Uinta Mountain range towards the east. The house was designed and built based off Passiv Haus standards, and the framing and ventilation became critical elements to maintain such minimal energy requirements. Zola triple-pane, tilt-and-turn Thermo uPVC windows contribute substantially to the home’s energy efficiency, and takes advantage of the beautiful surrounding of the location, including forrest views from the deck off of the kitchen. Photographer: City Home Collective

A new home for two, generating four times more electricity than it uses, including the "fuel" for an electric car. This house makes Net Zero look like child's play. But while the 22kW roof-mounted system is impressive, it's not all about the PV. The design features great energy savings in its careful siting to maximize passive solar considerations such as natural heating and daylighting. Roof overhangs are sized to limit direct sun in the hot summer and to invite the sun during the cold winter months. The construction contributes as well, featuring R40 cellulose-filled double-stud walls, a R50 roof system and triple glazed windows. Heating and cooling are supplied by air source heat pumps. Photos By Ethan Drinker

Completed in partnership with LAM Studios Inc., this Fall 2024 renovation transformed multiple areas of a Dilworth home into a cohesive, functional, and beautifully updated living environment. The project included a complete kitchen remodel, living room renovation, bathroom remodel, laundry room update, dining room renovation, fireplace enhancement, and hallway improvements. The kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the renovation, featuring improved functionality, modern finishes, and a layout designed to support everyday living and entertaining. Adjacent living and dining spaces were thoughtfully redesigned to create a seamless flow throughout the home, while the updated fireplace provides a warm and inviting focal point. Additional improvements to the bathroom, laundry room, and hallway enhanced both comfort and efficiency, ensuring every space contributes to the home's overall functionality and style. Through careful planning, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design choices, this renovation successfully blends modern living with lasting elegance. The result is a beautifully refreshed home that feels brighter, more connected, and perfectly tailored to the homeowners' lifestyle.

A restrained palette contributes to an understated elegance that is emblematic of the Craftsman aesthetic. Details include period-appropriate tile work and plumbing fixtures, polished nickel wall sconces, a reproduction medicine cabinet of quarter-sawn oak, and cheery yellow paint.

This bathroom is a harmonious blend of contemporary design and minimalist elegance. It features a neutral color palette, predominantly in shades of soft grey that evoke a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The vaulted ceiling adds a sense of grandeur and openness to the space, while the geometric chandelier with matte black finish and vintage bulbs creates a striking visual element that draws the eye upward. The flooring extends the minimalist theme with wood-look tiles in a light grey hue, providing the aesthetic appeal of wood with the practicality of tile. The expansive layout includes a large freestanding cabinet that echoes the shaker-style design of the vanity, offering ample storage while maintaining the sleek look with matte black hardware. At the heart of the room is the glossy white freestanding bathtub, strategically placed under a window to benefit from the natural light, enhancing the room's airy vibe and offering a relaxing soak with a view. The window treatments are simple, ensuring privacy and allowing light to filter through, contributing to the calming ambiance. Overall, the bathroom design is meticulously curated to balance style and function, resulting in a luxurious retreat that combines clean lines, refined materials, and thoughtful details to create an inviting and modern sanctuary.

A new home for two, generating four times more electricity than it uses, including the "fuel" for an electric car. This house makes Net Zero look like child's play. But while the 22kW roof-mounted system is impressive, it's not all about the PV. The design features great energy savings in its careful siting to maximize passive solar considerations such as natural heating and daylighting. Roof overhangs are sized to limit direct sun in the hot summer and to invite the sun during the cold winter months. The construction contributes as well, featuring R40 cellulose-filled double-stud walls, a R50 roof system and triple glazed windows. Heating and cooling are supplied by air source heat pumps. Photos By Ethan Drinker

Moss Garden: A Living Carpet of Tranquility A moss garden is a serene, low-maintenance landscape feature that evokes a profound sense of calm and natural beauty. Composed of vibrant, velvety mosses that thrive in shaded, humid environments, these gardens offer a soft, carpet-like groundcover that replaces traditional lawns or gravel with rich, green texture. At Westland Design, our moss gardens are thoughtfully integrated into the overall landscape to enhance a feeling of timelessness and stillness. Whether nestled beneath the canopy of trees, edging a stone pathway, or surrounding a tranquil water feature, moss brings subtle movement and color to quiet corners of the garden. Key qualities of a moss garden include: Evergreen softness: Moss provides lush, year-round greenery that requires no mowing or fertilizing. Quiet beauty: It absorbs sound, contributing to a peaceful, contemplative environment. Natural elegance: Ideal for Japanese-style gardens or woodland settings, moss complements stone, water, and wood elements with organic harmony. A moss garden is more than a design choice—it’s an invitation to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate nature’s quiet elegance.

Located in, Summit Park, Park City UT lies one of the most efficient houses in the country. The Summit Haus – designed and built by Chris Price of PCD+B, is an exploration in design and construction of advanced high performance housing. Seeing a rising demand for sustainable housing along with rising Carbon emissions leading to global warming, this house strives to show that sensible, good design can create spaces adequate for today’s housing demands while adhering to strict standards. The house was designed to meet the very rigid Passiv House rating system – 90% more efficient than a typical home in the area. The house itself was intended to nestle neatly into the 45 degree sloped site and to take full advantage of the limited solar access and views. The views range from short, highly wooded views to a long corridor out towards the Uinta Mountain range towards the east. The house was designed and built based off Passiv Haus standards, and the framing and ventilation became critical elements to maintain such minimal energy requirements. Zola triple-pane, tilt-and-turn Thermo uPVC windows contribute substantially to the home’s energy efficiency, and takes advantage of the beautiful surrounding of the location, including forrest views from the deck off of the kitchen. Photographer: City Home Collective

After long waiting, Expo Milan 2015 has finally opened its doors! Among more than 140 pavilions to describe the world, UAE pavilions , an imposing structure , including a theater and the Emir apartment was created . The pavilion, which stands for modernity, is one of the larger lots of Expo Milano 2015, and benefits from a privileged location, right in the center of the exhibition, alongside the main axis Decumanus. The FOSTER+PARTNERS architectural office , who designed it, was able to reflect the country's cultural heritage and in particular its focus on sustainable development. The amazing shape is shaped by a series of rippled walls, with a height over 12 meters, evoking both the shaded streets of country’s historic settlements , and the magnificent sand dunes of its deserts. There is also a charming green space dedicated to the native vegetation. At the end of the World Fair The lot will be dismantled and reassembled in Masdar City. THE CONTRIBUTION OF GRASSI PIETRE Grassi Pietre also participated in the creation of this wonderful project by FOSTER+PARTNERS. In particular (on behalf of Tecton, Reggio Emilia - Italy) the company from Nanto (Vicenza - Italy) provided 500 square meters of flooring in Trani Biancone - slabs 120x70x2 cm in honed finish - used for the Emir apartment (located inside the pavilion) and the lower level flooring adjacent to the auditorium. The Grassi Pietre marble was also used to clad the interior stairs leading to the apartment: Grassi Pietre provided the Trani Biancone for the shaped stairs, 3 cm thick honed surface. Moreover, Grassi Pietre also supplied 40 square meters of floor in marble Trani Biancone, in sandblasted finish (4 cm thick), for the outside terraces. The external staircase was built instead in Trani Bronzetto. All the outside surface have a non slippery bushhammered surface. TRANI BIANCONE And BRONZETTO Trani is a marble that moves between shades of beige (Bronzetto ), ivory (Biancone ) and rosé. The nuance changes depending on the variety. It is characterized by the many thin and sinuous veins. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Year of execution: 2014/2015 Lot size: 4386 m² Height: 12 m Capacity: 785 people/hour Location: Milano - Expo 2015 GRASSI PIETRE SRL (material supplier described above) via Madonetta, 2 | 36024 Nanto (Vi) Italy | www.grassipietre.it | info@grassipietre.it | www.facebook.com/grassipietre | TECTON SOC. COOP (Realization) via Galliano, 10 | 42124 Reggio Emilia Italy | www.tecton.it | info@tecton.it | FOSTER + PARTNERS (Design Studio) www.fosterandpartners.com PHOTO CREDITS: Cristian Iotti | www.cristianiotti.com |

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple had put up with their run down split level home for years. They lived in a convenient Arlington neighborhood within walking distance to the DC metro and suburban lifestyle. But they’d had it with their small, unattractive kitchen. They wanted a new look that opened the space up and offered a seamless connection to the rest of the first floor. Starting with small, dark 10’ x 10’ kitchen, the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes went to work. First, they moved an inside wall 18” into the adjacent living room. This provided added space for a new refrigerator, double wall oven and warming drawer. This kept all tall elements out of sight and created more counter space throughout the rest of the kitchen. Next, a partition between the kitchen and dining room was removed and got replaced with a large double side peninsula. Topped with an exotic granite counter, it is home to a 36” gas cooktop and wine chiller. It also includes glass display cabinets for the homeowner’s prized china. Use of taller and contrasting dark glazed cabinetry and spice cherry has accomplished the Arts & Crafts look the homeowners desired. A glass tile backsplash, hard wood floors and prairie style windows contribute to the theme as well. Finally, large windows and a skylight brighten up what was once a dark space. The extreme makeover of this kitchen has been such an inspiration to their neighbors that the clients are asked to show it off over and over.

We are Dexign Matter, an award-winning studio sought after for crafting multi-layered interiors that we expertly curated to fulfill individual design needs. Design Director Zoe Lee’s passion for customization is evident in this city residence where she melds the elevated experience of luxury hotels with a soft and inviting atmosphere that feels welcoming. Lee’s panache for artful contrasts pairs the richness of strong materials, such as oak and porcelain, with the sophistication of contemporary silhouettes. “The goal was to create a sense of indulgence and comfort, making every moment spent in the homea truly memorable one,” says Lee. By enlivening a once-predominantly white colour scheme with muted hues and tactile textures, Lee was able to impart a characterful countenance that still feels comfortable. She relied on subtle details to ensure this is a residence infused with softness. “The carefully placed and concealed LED light strips throughout create a gentle and ambient illumination,” says Lee. “They conjure a warm ambiance, while adding a touch of modernity.” Further finishes include a Shaker feature wall in the living room. It extends seamlessly to the room’s double-height ceiling, adding an element of continuity and establishing a connection with the primary ensuite’s wood panelling. “This integration of design elements creates a cohesive and visually appealing atmosphere,” Lee says. The ensuite’s dramatically veined marble-look is carried from the walls to the countertop and even the cabinet doors. “This consistent finish serves as another unifying element, transforming the individual components into a captivating feature wall. It adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic of the space.” Pops of black hardware throughout channel that elegance and feel welcoming. Lee says, “The furnishings’ unique characteristics and visual appeal contribute to a sense of continuous luxury – it is now a home that is both bespoke and wonderfully beckoning.”

This contemporary kitchen features a high gloss gray finish paired with matte wenge end panels. Matching appliance panels on the Sub-Zero appliances contribute to the sleek nature of this kitchen remodel. Features include a stainless farmhouse sink, gas rangetop, pocket doors and a floating hood. Concealed countertop work stations in the tall cabinets hide the small appliances (i.e. coffee maker) to keep clutter to a minimum.

This remodeled kitchen features a modern and spacious design with high-quality materials and sleek finishes. The layout showcases warm wood cabinetry that provides ample storage space and complements the stainless steel appliances, including a large double-door refrigerator and a high-end gas stove with red accents on the knobs. The countertops are a mix of polished stone and marble, enhancing the visual appeal of the kitchen while providing a durable surface for cooking and meal preparation. The backsplash behind the stove area is a unique textured design in a light gray pattern, adding a contemporary touch to the space. The central area of the kitchen is well-lit, thanks to recessed ceiling lights and a large window above the sink, which allows natural light to pour in. A modern pendant light fixture hangs above the countertop, illuminating the surrounding area and contributing to the elegant atmosphere. The kitchen’s open layout ensures smooth traffic flow and makes it easy to transition between cooking, dining, and entertaining. The overall aesthetic is both functional and inviting, making it a perfect place for family gatherings and culinary activities.

A new home for two, generating four times more electricity than it uses, including the "fuel" for an electric car. This house makes Net Zero look like child's play. But while the 22kW roof-mounted system is impressive, it's not all about the PV. The design features great energy savings in its careful siting to maximize passive solar considerations such as natural heating and daylighting. Roof overhangs are sized to limit direct sun in the hot summer and to invite the sun during the cold winter months. The construction contributes as well, featuring R40 cellulose-filled double-stud walls, a R50 roof system and triple glazed windows. Heating and cooling are supplied by air source heat pumps. Photos By Ethan Drinker

Completed in partnership with LAM Studios Inc., this Fall 2024 renovation transformed multiple areas of a Dilworth home into a cohesive, functional, and beautifully updated living environment. The project included a complete kitchen remodel, living room renovation, bathroom remodel, laundry room update, dining room renovation, fireplace enhancement, and hallway improvements. The kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the renovation, featuring improved functionality, modern finishes, and a layout designed to support everyday living and entertaining. Adjacent living and dining spaces were thoughtfully redesigned to create a seamless flow throughout the home, while the updated fireplace provides a warm and inviting focal point. Additional improvements to the bathroom, laundry room, and hallway enhanced both comfort and efficiency, ensuring every space contributes to the home's overall functionality and style. Through careful planning, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design choices, this renovation successfully blends modern living with lasting elegance. The result is a beautifully refreshed home that feels brighter, more connected, and perfectly tailored to the homeowners' lifestyle.

This home was thoroughly reimagined – architecturally, throughout the interiors, site, and gardens. The vintage bones of the home were enhanced by the design team while every aspect of contemporary living was accommodated – including a yard for two beloved family dogs. The collaboration between client, architect, interior designer, landscape architect and construction team is celebrated in the result. A composed garden space was formed around a spectacular Cork Oak. This tree was brought in to mediate the view of the neighboring Temple Emanu-El. Additional mature plantings, citrus trees, flowers, and a softly burbling fountain contribute to the comfort of the flowing space. The drive court melds into the garden space with stairway access to an expansive terrace above. From this terrace, views of the garden, fountain, greenery, and Temple are enjoyed – with soft lighting extending enjoyment into the evening.

This completed backyard transformation in Toronto showcases a modern outdoor living space designed for both relaxation and entertaining. Blending contemporary and natural elements, the project features a custom-built wood pergola that anchors the space while adding architectural interest and filtered shade. The clean lines of the structure are complemented by warm wood tones, creating a welcoming and timeless aesthetic. Expert craftsmanship is evident in the precision joinery of the pergola and the seamless installation of large-format concrete pavers that form the patio surface. Durable, weather-resistant materials were carefully selected to withstand Toronto’s seasonal climate, including pressure-treated lumber, high-performance fasteners, and premium outdoor finishes that enhance longevity while maintaining visual appeal. The layout was thoughtfully planned to maximize functionality within the backyard footprint. Defined zones for dining and lounging provide versatility, with a spacious outdoor dining set positioned beneath the pergola and a separate seating area for casual gatherings. Integrated greenery, privacy fencing, and layered landscaping contribute to a tranquil, enclosed atmosphere while maintaining a connection to nature. For the homeowners, this outdoor upgrade delivers a significant lifestyle enhancement—offering a private retreat for everyday use and an inviting space for hosting family and friends. Low-maintenance materials, improved durability, and smart spatial design ensure long-term value, comfort, and ease of upkeep. This project perfectly captures the essence of modern backyard design in Toronto—stylish, functional, and built to last.

This custom ranch-style home by Skyline Construction showcases exceptional craftsmanship, functional design, and modern finishes in the highly desirable Buffalo Meadows community of Mills, Wyoming. Offering 2,345 square feet of finished living space, this thoughtfully designed residence features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a fully finished basement, and an open-concept floor plan ideal for today's lifestyle. The spacious main living area is enhanced by vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and seamless transitions between the living room, dining area, and chef-inspired kitchen. Designed for both entertaining and everyday living, the kitchen offers generous workspace, quality cabinetry, granite countertops, and a layout that serves as the centerpiece of the home. The private primary suite provides a relaxing retreat with a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious five-piece bathroom designed for comfort and convenience. Additional bedrooms and bathrooms offer flexibility for family members, guests, home offices, or hobby spaces. The fully finished basement significantly expands the home's functionality by providing additional living areas, bedrooms, and bathroom space while maintaining the same level of quality and attention to detail found throughout the home. Luxury flooring, energy-efficient construction, central air conditioning, and modern finishes contribute to long-term comfort and value. Exterior features include a covered rear patio, fenced backyard, automatic underground sprinkler system, professional landscaping, attached two-car garage, and beautiful mountain views. The home's location within Buffalo Meadows provides easy access to schools, parks, shopping, recreation, and all the conveniences of the Casper and Mills area. Built by Skyline Construction, this home reflects the company's commitment to delivering quality custom homes with thoughtful floor plans, premium finishes, and lasting value. Combining modern design with practical living spaces, this ranch-style home represents the best of Wyoming new construction living.

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets. The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate. While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home. What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment. The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge. Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture General Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022 Location: Point Richmond, CA