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/

Freestanding bathtub faucet against wood paneled wall by Jubilee Interiors in Los Angeles, California
Freestanding bathtub - mid-sized coastal master freestanding bathtub idea in Los Angeles

Marble tiled alcove shower with decorative sconce lighting and greenery by Jubilee Interiors in Los Angeles, California
Mid-sized beach style master black and white tile alcove shower photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a hinged shower door

This ranch went from outdated and non functional to bright, airy, and modern. Every surface was updated from the kitchen and bathrooms to the exterior of the home. Classic details keep the style timeless while subtle pops of color add life and personality. The home now has high ceilings and an indoor/outdoor floor plan, perfect for entertaining and living.

The clients were living with a very dated and non-functional "master" bathroom. They wanted to gut it and start over with key asks being for a curbless shower, floating vanity and modern style.

A crisp, minimal workspace designed with intention. Clean-lined furnishings, layered textures, and custom wall paneling create a polished backdrop, while soft neutrals and subtle contrast keep the space feeling warm and inviting. The perfect blend of function and elevated design.

A small home office adjacent to the kitchen allows for visiting, small meetings and functions during non work hours as a point of circulation out into the gorgeous yard.

Inspiration for a small modern ceramic tile wine cellar remodel in Montreal with display racks

This ranch went from outdated and non functional to bright, airy, and modern. Every surface was updated from the kitchen and bathrooms to the exterior of the home. Classic details keep the style timeless while subtle pops of color add life and personality. The home now has high ceilings and an indoor/outdoor floor plan, perfect for entertaining and living.

A contemporary wine cellar featuring our own original VINIUM Architectural Wine Storage, built with wood blocks and steel. Here, VINIUM is backed by a white Texas limestone veneer accented with LED lighting, complemented with travertine flooring. The glass entry wall allows for a dramatic view of this clean, classic yet modern cellar.

Utility room - large transitional u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor utility room idea in Milwaukee with white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray countertops

This Winchester home was love at first sight for this young family of four. The layout lacked function, had no master suite to speak of, an antiquated kitchen, non-existent connection to the outdoor living space and an absentee mud room… yes, true love. Windhill Builders to the rescue! Design and build a sanctuary that accommodates the daily, sometimes chaotic lifestyle of a busy family that provides practical function, exceptional finishes and pure comfort. We think the photos tell the story of this happy ending. Feast your eyes on the kitchen with its crisp, clean finishes and black accents that carry throughout the home. The Imperial Danby Honed Marble countertops, floating shelves, contrasting island painted in Benjamin Moore Timberwolfe add drama to this beautiful space. Flow around the kitchen, cozy family room, coffee & wine station, pantry, and work space all invite and connect you to the magnificent outdoor living room complete with gilded iron statement fixture. It’s irresistible! The master suite indulges with its dreamy slumber shades of grey, walk-in closet perfect for a princess and a glorious bath to wash away the day. Once an absentee mudroom, now steals the show with its black built-ins, gold leaf pendant lighting and unique cement tile. The picture-book New England front porch, adorned with rocking chairs provides the classic setting for ‘summering’ with a glass of cold lemonade. Joyelle West Photography

The clients were living with a very dated and non-functional "master" bathroom. They wanted to gut it and start over with key asks being for a curbless shower, floating vanity and modern style.

A well-designed office may cost a little more, but it is much cheaper than a poorly designed one. A non-functioning office wastes time and causes frustration because it can hinder basic tasks. #finicwork

The dining room window opens onto the side yard which features a nice “green belt”. As with the remainder of the main open space, we intentionally used exposed beams and posts to convey a loft-like feel. The posts as well as the beams serve a structural function too.

A full elevation view to the multi-function coffee bar and pantry which features: -A custom slide out Stainless Steel top extension -Lighted pull-out pantry storage -waterproof engineered quartz top for the coffee station. -Topped with lighted glass cabinets. -Custom Non-Beaded Inset Cabinetry by Plain & Fancy. cabinet finish: matte black

Mid-Century Modern Renovation & Addition - Photo by Bruce Damonte.
Example of a small 1960s master concrete floor bedroom design in San Francisco with brown walls

This ranch went from outdated and non functional to bright, airy, and modern. Every surface was updated from the kitchen and bathrooms to the exterior of the home. Classic details keep the style timeless while subtle pops of color add life and personality. The home now has high ceilings and an indoor/outdoor floor plan, perfect for entertaining and living.

This ranch went from outdated and non functional to bright, airy, and modern. Every surface was updated from the kitchen and bathrooms to the exterior of the home. Classic details keep the style timeless while subtle pops of color add life and personality. The home now has high ceilings and an indoor/outdoor floor plan, perfect for entertaining and living.