Burh Becc at Beacon Springs is the Midwest’s first, and the world’s second fully certified Living Building Challenge residence - the world’s most rigorous proven performance standard for sustainability. This home is a 3,400 finished sq ft walk-out ranch which has been designed to emulate nature: Net Zero energy getting all of its energy from the sun; Net Zero water getting all of its water from the sky; Net Zero waste creating only ecological nutrient from its existence; and constructed entirely of materials that are non-toxic, healthy and ecologically sound.

The builder, Stellar Blu, wanted something a little different for this Parade of Homes home but Wake Forest can be a tricky market and so it was important to maintain marketability. We chose to use leaded glass, LED in cabinet lighting and other subtile features to create a timeless design. Photo by Tad Davis Photography

This project encompasses the renovation of two aging metal warehouses located on an acre just North of the 610 loop. The larger warehouse, previously an auto body shop, measures 6000 square feet and will contain a residence, art studio, and garage. A light well puncturing the middle of the main residence brightens the core of the deep building. The over-sized roof opening washes light down three masonry walls that define the light well and divide the public and private realms of the residence. The interior of the light well is conceived as a serene place of reflection while providing ample natural light into the Master Bedroom. Large windows infill the previous garage door openings and are shaded by a generous steel canopy as well as a new evergreen tree court to the west. Adjacent, a 1200 sf building is reconfigured for a guest or visiting artist residence and studio with a shared outdoor patio for entertaining. Photo by Peter Molick, Art by Karin Broker

Marco Ricca
Mid-sized transitional women's medium tone wood floor dressing room photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets and gray cabinets

Brad Taylor
Inspiration for a large country dark wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with white walls and a wood stove

The Curbly #remodel added a #countertop above the washer and dryer for a place to fold #laundry.
Small transitional single-wall ceramic tile laundry room photo in Other with white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Great room with exposed beams and romantic accents throughout. Meechan Architectural Photography
Large transitional formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor living room photo in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Large trendy gender-neutral dressing room photo in Other with flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Nat Rea
Example of a beach style two-story wood gable roof design in Providence

SMHerrick Photography
Ornate bedroom photo in Minneapolis with beige walls

Ashley Avila Photography
1950s wood gable roof idea in Grand Rapids

Brett Beyer
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in New York with a drop-in sink, marble countertops, white walls and a hinged shower door

The tightly constrained footprint of the affectionately named “Box on the Rock” is a response to a limited budget and difficult site. Shallow underground hillside waterways run across the site often daylighting in unexpected and unwanted locations. These necessitated relatively expensive pier footings thus motivating an extremely efficient 2,000 sq ft footprint. With no initial resources to develop the wild scrub and rock landscape of the 3-acre property, the home becomes a lone outpost settling the higher ground of the larger natural site --a literal box on a rock. Given these limitations, the architecture of this outpost needs to provide for all indoor and outdoor functions within its area. With the extremes of the wine country microclimate on the exposed site, this becomes an even more critical requirement for year-round comfort. The central courtyard and the cantilevered deck are strategically carved out of the diagrammatic box to ensure that over the course of the day, temperate options for both sun and shade are always available. In particular, the geometry of the overhang at the front cantilevered deck and the inward angle of its exterior glass walls are carefully calibrated to capture morning sun and winter warming while shielding the internal space from the harshest summer glare. Later in the day the central courtyard comes alive as the sunniest developed outdoor space, yet one that is naturally cooled by capturing the valley cross breezes. With an economy of means, this simple form morphs to amplify the experience of the dramatic site and create an expansive feeling home that belies its small footprint. Each adjustment to the diagrammatic box negotiates the functional and environmental needs to foster self-contained and site-specific living with a minimal environmental impact. Photo by Bruce Damonte

Clean, simple, modern design built into a hillside on the east side of Aspen. Closed, organic Sirewall anchoring the house on one side, and an open tree house feel on the other. The Sirewall utilizes material from the excavation, minimizing the need for importing resources. It also acts as a heat sink - helping to stabilize the internal temperature and conserve energy.

Clean, simple, modern design built into a hillside on the east side of Aspen. Closed, organic Sirewall anchoring the house on one side, and an open tree house feel on the other. The Sirewall utilizes material from the excavation, minimizing the need for importing resources. It also acts as a heat sink - helping to stabilize the internal temperature and conserve energy.

Clean, simple, modern design built into a hillside on the east side of Aspen. Closed, organic Sirewall anchoring the house on one side, and an open tree house feel on the other. The Sirewall utilizes material from the excavation, minimizing the need for importing resources. It also acts as a heat sink - helping to stabilize the internal temperature and conserve energy.

The tightly constrained footprint of the affectionately named “Box on the Rock” is a response to a limited budget and difficult site. Shallow underground hillside waterways run across the site often daylighting in unexpected and unwanted locations. These necessitated relatively expensive pier footings thus motivating an extremely efficient 2,000 sq ft footprint. With no initial resources to develop the wild scrub and rock landscape of the 3-acre property, the home becomes a lone outpost settling the higher ground of the larger natural site --a literal box on a rock. Given these limitations, the architecture of this outpost needs to provide for all indoor and outdoor functions within its area. With the extremes of the wine country microclimate on the exposed site, this becomes an even more critical requirement for year-round comfort. The central courtyard and the cantilevered deck are strategically carved out of the diagrammatic box to ensure that over the course of the day, temperate options for both sun and shade are always available. In particular, the geometry of the overhang at the front cantilevered deck and the inward angle of its exterior glass walls are carefully calibrated to capture morning sun and winter warming while shielding the internal space from the harshest summer glare. Later in the day the central courtyard comes alive as the sunniest developed outdoor space, yet one that is naturally cooled by capturing the valley cross breezes. With an economy of means, this simple form morphs to amplify the experience of the dramatic site and create an expansive feeling home that belies its small footprint. Each adjustment to the diagrammatic box negotiates the functional and environmental needs to foster self-contained and site-specific living with a minimal environmental impact. Photo by Bruce Damonte

This multimedia upgrade gives the living room a family room vibe. The state of the art purchases add amazing sound and picture quality and the storage unit is wired internally for maximum output.

Clean, simple, modern design built into a hillside on the east side of Aspen. Closed, organic Sirewall anchoring the house on one side, and an open tree house feel on the other. The Sirewall utilizes material from the excavation, minimizing the need for importing resources. It also acts as a heat sink - helping to stabilize the internal temperature and conserve energy.