Search results for "Institution" in Home Design Ideas
Natural Stone InstituteTucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design.
Architect
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA
Stone Installers
Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO
Stone Supplier
Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI
Stone Quarry
Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl,
Pietrasanta (LU), Italy
Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland
The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains.
The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the
site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns.
Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western
edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the
boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces
include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.
Natural Stone InstituteNo greater compliment of a material is possible than when stone is selected for a historic property renovation within a home rich in tradition and with a celebrated past. This new feature stair addition to a private residence in Toronto, Canada, has an equally compelling story to tell.
Originally envisioned as a wall-supported, cantilevered stone stair, the owner boldly accepted a unique solution for their showpiece element. The 19-tread stair would be designed with 550 lb. solid stone treads, and fully
liberated from traditional supports and the adjacent rubble wall. To say, “it would float” is not an exaggeration. The stair would be designed as a monolithic beam spanning 16.5 feet, 10 feet high and 41 inches wide. Aesthetically bold, with a reduced tone from
pure black, the basalt stone was the perfect contrast for the white modern interior of the home. The 3-1/2" tension cables played the most important role by resisting the large bending moment generated by the stone load and stair geometry. Fabrication required precise coordination and care to ensure perfect alignment of the interlocking key, and the corresponding cable holes.
The fabrication challenge was achieving the highest level of accuracy in notching, coring, and replicating each tread identically. Expert precision and skill were key to nesting each tread in sequence and simultaneously with the strands. Meticulous alignment and exacting tolerance assured the true performance and aesthetics were delivered. Hydraulic post-tensioning pulled each cable to 120 kiloNewtons or 27,000 lbs, infusing strength and structural integrity. Removing the temporary support and testing was the last critical step—it was the first time the stone stair would be self-supporting.
The “floating” stair is an ultimate achievement and example of innovation, material strength, fabrication quality, installation precision, and expert coordination. A perfect final chapter to a historical journey and modern ode to stone as structure.
Natural Stone InstituteThis private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework.
The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves.
Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted.
Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation.
Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.
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AIBD - American Institute of Building DesignPurchased by the current owner in 2013, this property had been gutted to exposed brick and subfloors, leaving nothing but an open shell behind. While an extensive remodeling project was undertaken across the property as a whole, a brand-new cozy cocoon was meticulously crafted within the property’s cellar. Originally described as "A cold, dark, damp cellar where people kept mechanical equipment and not much else," this below-ground level is now a premier swim/spa/steam/sauna oasis.
A Grand ARDA for indoor living goes to
Dixon Projects
Designer: Dixon Projects
From: New York, New York
Natural Stone InstituteThis private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework.
The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves.
Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted.
Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation.
Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.
Natural Stone InstituteThis private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework.
The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves.
Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted.
Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation.
Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.
Natural Stone InstituteThis private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework.
The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves.
Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted.
Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation.
Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute2018 HNA Awards Honorable Mention - Concrete Paver - Residential (size less than 3,000 sf)
Contractor: The Sharper Edge Landscaping
Producer: County Materials Corporation
Designer: Paul Bowker
Four different styles of pavers and creative color combinations were used in this residential patio to separate areas and to create a distinctive feel for each space. A combination of modular shaped pavers and paving stones that simulate flagstone aesthetics were combined, creating a unique presentation.
With varying features incorporated throughout the space, fitting each unit into place was a challenge only overcome with precise planning and execution: bullnose pavers were cut to fit the seat wall, fireplace and stair corners, while the flagstone style pavers were cut to fit the square parameters of their area.
Retaining wall units were used to create several functional features and add elevation. Situated against the house, a raised patio with an outdoor kitchen was built with retaining wall units. The same units were used to build stairs leading up to this area, a fireplace and a seating area.
Bullnose pavers were used multiple ways to add functional value and aesthetic appeal. The seat wall near the fireplace is capped with rounded bullnose pavers for guest comfort. They form stair step treads for clear visibility and sure footing, and they form a creative accent course in the large wall.
This patio maximized available space to offer everything the homeowners desired for their outdoor living area: a place to relax, cook, enjoy a fire and unwind in a hot tub. The exceptional colors and styles of pavers adds to the character, and the excellent craftsmanship makes this a special retreat.
AIBD - American Institute of Building DesignThe residence on the third level of this live/work space is completely private. The large living room features a brick wall with a long linear fireplace and gray toned furniture with leather accents. The dining room features banquette seating with a custom table with built in leaves to extend the table for dinner parties. The kitchen also has the ability to grow with its custom one of a kind island including a pullout table.
An ARDA for indoor living goes to
Visbeen Architects, Inc.
Designers: Visbeen Architects, Inc. with Vision Interiors by Visbeen
From: East Grand Rapids, Michigan
Interlocking Concrete Pavement InstituteHNA Hardscape Project Award Winner
Mahaz Project
Sand Point, Michigan
Esch Landscaping LLC
This 3,300 square feet project was constructed on the beach of Lake Huron in Michigan. The house and landscape began on an empty lot between two homes using interlocking concrete pavers.
The designer addressed elevations, proximity regulations with neighboring homes, and construction deadlines while working with clients living in another state. The owners required an outdoor kitchen, firepit, shower and sun bathing area, shade for comfort when entertaining guests and easy access to the beach.
The hardscape team met challenges by coordinating and sharing space with the home construction crews. This project began in March so the wind and weather caused difficult working conditions with site facing the open water.
AIBD - American Institute of Building DesignPurchased by the current owner in 2013, this property had been gutted to exposed brick and subfloors, leaving nothing but an open shell behind. While an extensive remodeling project was undertaken across the property as a whole, a brand-new cozy cocoon was meticulously crafted within the property’s cellar. Originally described as "A cold, dark, damp cellar where people kept mechanical equipment and not much else," this below-ground level is now a premier swim/spa/steam/sauna oasis.
A Grand ARDA for indoor living goes to
Dixon Projects
Designer: Dixon Projects
From: New York, New York
Natural Stone InstituteThis private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework.
The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves.
Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted.
Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation.
Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.
Natural Stone InstituteTucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design.
Architect
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA
Stone Installers
Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO
Stone Supplier
Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI
Stone Quarry
Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl,
Pietrasanta (LU), Italy
Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland
The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains.
The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the
site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns.
Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western
edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the
boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces
include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.
American Institute of Architects, San FranciscoPhotography by Jim Bastardo
The main goal of this project was to provide an indoor/outdoor living experience and maximize views of Mount Tamalpais while mitigating the challenges posed by a steep, compact site. The L-shaped plan, placed along the southern border, creates a private lawn area, which functions not only as a play space, but as a visual "anteroom" to the view. The street facing facade has minimal openings, assuring privacy to the residents, while the interior facades facing the courtyard are primarily glass, directing the views of the principal interior spaces toward the mountain. The vertical organization of the house allows the main level to function horizontally, with spaces flowing freely between indoors and out. The entry level provides literal and figurative support, with rooms such as laundry, office and garage supporting the main living functions of the house, while the bedrooms comprise a partial third story, perched atop the long arm of the "L".
American Institute of Architects, San FranciscoTo accommodate the needs of a growing family, the young parents of two sought to add a third story to their existing home and create a warm, modern space by capturing natural light and breaking down the house’s dated “formal” boundaries and limited sense of connection and flow. Creating the new central stairway and adding new light wells at the east and west property lines allow light to reach through all three levels. Exposed structure running through the skylight at the top level works to bounce and diffuse light and add a sense of discovery. The main floor level was completely reoriented to take advantage of the south facing rear garden. With generous cabinetry and a walk-in pantry, the new open kitchen is the center of the house. With its new 11’ ceiling, the great room also contains the main living and dining spaces as well as a sliding glass wall that opens to the deck beyond, inviting seamless indoor/outdoor living. An exterior stair in turn connects this level to the garden below. Image by Paul Dyer.
Natural Stone InstituteMore than five years after Gallegos first looked at preliminary drawings and provided budgets for a private residence in Vail, Colorado, the project is complete and is a stunning representation of modern architecture and masonry craftsmanship.
The owners desired their home to be appointed with hand selected, one-of-a-kind materials that would withstand the test of time. Meant to entertain guests as though they were at a five-star resort, the residence features a spa, massage rooms, glass pool and exquisite views of the Gore Range.
The contractor asked Gallegos to provide pricing and expert guidance on material selections and installation methods for the stucco, exterior stone veneer, and interior marbles, granites, and exotic stones. Their work is prevalent in all rooms and decks of this stunning residence.
The exterior stone veneer was sourced out of China, something Gallegos has done numerous times without issues. This time was different. About halfway through the exterior stone fabrication and installation, China closed the quarry, declaring that it was in a tourist region. This sent Gallegos scrambling, with forty percent of the exterior cladding installation complete and no budget to
remove and replace the installed material. They were extremely lucky to find a similar material in Vietnam that was close enough in color and texture to blend in with the original material and not lose time.
The interior stones and other exterior and interior materials were primarily sourced through suppliers in Italy. The natural marbles and granites were installed in either a vein match or a book match pattern.
AIBD - American Institute of Building DesignThis Brooklyn street-corner property had a storied past as a butcher’s shop and antiques store before being purchased by the designer's client. The client’s vision was to convert the property into a unique, modern industrial townhome. The first step in maximizing the building's interior livable space was the arduous task of excavating the basement. This resulted in a large recreation room area with a truly one-of-a-kind, oversized wine room accessible via a blackened steel sculptured doorway — a modern take on the traditional wine cave holding 688 bottles.
A Grand ARDA for indoor living goes to
Dixon Projects
Designer: Dixon Projects
From: New York, New York
American Institute of Architects, San FranciscoThe Two-Way House embodies a multitude of conversations between ourselves and our clients to realize the marriage of San Francisco’s historic urban fabric with today’s modern needs/desires in a thoughtfully crafted home filled with daylight seamlessly connecting to the garden.
Our client’s goals of filling their home with natural light while connecting inside to outside formed the transformation of this Pacific Heights row house, a quintessential San Francisco challenge. The Two-Way house was conceived around the pairing of the original 1900 Victorian façade and traditional parlor with an open plan and modern 2-story backyard addition. The design maximizes space creating a generous single family home (with smaller 2nd unit) while deftly resolving constraints that have shaped the remodel of many San Francisco homes.
Photo by Jaspar Sanidad
Natural Stone InstituteA new home for their growing family prompted owners to construct a seven bedroom – eleven bath, eclectic Italian renaissance-style home, featuring natural stone prominently throughout.
Beginning in the entrance foyer, a diagonal checkerboard pattern of Italian white Carrara and grey Bardiglio marbles trimmed with Bardiglio borders spreads out across the majority of the first floor traveling through corridors and filling the kitchen, dining room, and great room. This paving was installed on traditional drypack mortar beds with tight 1/16" joints. This honed marble paving then transitions into flamed finish Blue Nobile limestone on the exterior. Bardiglio and Carrara
marbles used on the interior floor are also on all the counter tops in the kitchen area including a feature island, and the dining room table. Three fireplace surrounds also received natural stone: two with Italian Arabescato Cervaiole marble, and one with Italian Portoro marble.
All eleven bathrooms in the home are clad in marble, with each uniquely different. Marbles used in these rooms were Piana Carrara, Fior Di Pesco Capria, Grigio Carnico, Arabescato Cervaioli, Nero Marquina, Aliveri Grey, Thassos White, and St. Laurent Noir. Of these eleven bathrooms, one is the showpiece of the residence, the Master Bath. With its walls clad in Arabescato Cervaioli book matched at key points, and its floor a combination of Arabescato Cervaioli, Aliveri Grey, and Nero Marquina cut into geometric patterns, it surrounds one completely in natural stone. Even the sink interiors are clad in marble.
This home was not originally intended to have as much natural stone in it, but as many do after being exposed to natural stone’s beauty, the owners fell in love with it and expanded its presence. Villa Florence is a great example of what can be accomplished with a homeowner who found the passion for natural stone.
Natural Stone InstituteWhen United Marble Fabricators was hired by builders Adams & Beasley Associates to furnish, fabricate, and install all of the stone and tile in this unique two-story penthouse within the Four Seasons in Boston’s Back
Bay, the immediate focus of nearly all parties involved was more on the stunning views of Boston Common than of the stone and tile surfaces that would eventually adorn the kitchen and bathrooms. That entire focus,
however, would quickly shift to the meticulously designed first floor wet bar nestled into the corner of the two-story living room.
Lewis Interiors and Adams & Beasley Associates designed a wet bar that would attract attention, specifying ¾ inch Honey Onyx for the bar countertop and full-height backsplash. LED panels would be installed
behind the backsplash to illuminate the entire surface without creating
any “hot spots” traditionally associated with backlighting of natural stone.
As the design process evolved, it was decided that the originally specified
glass shelves with wood nosing would be replaced with PPG Starphire
ultra-clear glass that was to be rabbeted into the ¾ inch onyx backsplash
so that the floating shelves would appear to be glowing as they floated,
uninterrupted by moldings of any other materials.
The team first crafted and installed the backsplash, which was fabricated
from shop drawings, delivered to the 15th floor by elevator, and installed
prior to any base cabinetry. The countertops were fabricated with a 2 inch
mitered edge with an eased edge profile, and a 4 inch backsplash was
installed to meet the illuminated full-height backsplash.
The spirit of collaboration was alive and well on this project as the skilled
fabricators and installers of both stone and millwork worked interdependently
with the singular goal of a striking wet bar that would captivate any and
all guests of this stunning penthouse unit and rival the sweeping views of
Boston Common
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