Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Scott Zimmerman, Modern kitchen with walnut cabinets and quartz counter top.
Example of a large trendy dark wood floor kitchen design in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: 41 Degrees North Construction, Inc. Landscape Architect: Wild Violets (Landscape and Garden Design on Martha's Vineyard) Photographer: Sean Litchfield Photography

Heiser Media
Open concept kitchen - huge farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Danny Piassick
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized 1950s u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls, an island, concrete countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Powder room - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room idea in Boston with black cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, furniture-like cabinets and quartz countertops

The original mid-century door was preserved and refinished in a natural tone to coordinate with the new natural flooring finish. All stain finishes were applied with water-based no VOC pet friendly products. Original railings were refinished and kept to maintain the authenticity of the Deck House style. The light fixture offers an immediate sculptural wow factor upon entering the home.

Bedroom - large transitional master carpeted bedroom idea in Miami with beige walls

Pool - contemporary pool idea in Denver

The living space has a large desk, a storage loft, and bathed in natural light. Photo: Eileen Descallar Ringwald
Inspiration for a small contemporary built-in desk medium tone wood floor study room remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls and no fireplace

Farmhouse style with an industrial, contemporary feel.
Small farmhouse medium tone wood floor mudroom photo in San Francisco with green walls and a white front door

Interior furnishings design - Sophie Metz Design. , Nantucket Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal guest light wood floor bedroom remodel in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

Photos by Alan K. Barley, AIA Walk-in pantry, pantry with window, window, wood floor, screened in porch, Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture (Best of Houzz 2015 for Design) , BarleyPfeiffer, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, pro work, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, barley & Pfeiffer architects, natural lighting, AustinTX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, Screened-In porch, Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, natural lighting, Austin TX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, curb appeal, LEED, AIA, Featured in September 12th, 2014's Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/articles/the-rise-of-the-super-pantry-1410449896

Our goal on this project was to create a live-able and open feeling space in a 690 square foot modern farmhouse. We planned for an open feeling space by installing tall windows and doors, utilizing pocket doors and building a vaulted ceiling. An efficient layout with hidden kitchen appliances and a concealed laundry space, built in tv and work desk, carefully selected furniture pieces and a bright and white colour palette combine to make this tiny house feel like a home. We achieved our goal of building a functionally beautiful space where we comfortably host a few friends and spend time together as a family. John McManus

Photograph by Pete Sieger
Cottage beige two-story wood gable roof idea in Minneapolis with a mixed material roof

#exclusive #houseplan 73358HS comes to life Architectural Designs Exclusive #HousePlan 73358HS is a 5 bed home with a sport court in the finished lower level. It gives you four bedrooms on the second floor and a fifth in the finished loewr level. That's where you'll find your indoor sport court as well as a rec space and a bar. Ready when you are! Where do YOU want to build? Specs-at-a-glance 5 beds 4.5 baths 4,600+ sq. ft. including sport court Plans: http://bit.ly/73358hs #readywhenyouare #houseplan

Photograph by Pete Sieger
Bedroom - cottage medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a cottage white two-story gable roof remodel in Seattle

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz Main living/dining room: Labor Day Design team: Huniford Design Studio
Example of a trendy beige floor living room design in New York with white walls