Remodel project aiming to visually connect the existing house with the new intervention. The proposed layout unifies lost spaces in the transition between house and garden. Using dark materials on the floor to create visual contrast, we were able to direct the eyesight to strategic points; the house, the poolhouse, the barbeque pit, and the swimming lane. To further unify the interior of the house with the exterior, we used a similar material pallette, creating a visual congruence. Square footage: 4,305.56 ft2 Status: Built project Year: 2020

Overview: Wing-like roofline houses a dramatic white villa in Costa Rica jungle. Studio Saxe was commissioned to design a villa on the hilltops of Santiago in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. The primary objective was not only to provide dwellers with a connection with its jungle surroundings but also to generate an intimate relationship with an amazing view of the shoreline which brings its dwellers back to a more profound appreciation of the natural world. Concept Studio Saxe decided to create a large roof that would house within a series of bedrooms and living spaces that would all be turned sideways in order to face the prominent views. Interstitial spaces within the living volumes create gaps that enhance a deeper connection to the natural surroundings whilst moving about the dwelling. Design Every space in the home has been angled to view the ocean, and this twist creates a geometric relationship between the roofline and the spaces that became the primary element of design that both addresses the need for large overhangs (for climate control and comfort) but also generates a literal connection between the view and every space. This white house in the jungle acts as a canvas so that morning and sunset light reflect on its surfaces creating an array of colors that vary throughout the day. The angled surfaces also allow for the reflection of shadows and the textures of nature to play within the interstitial spaces that exist between the living spaces. Construction Due to the remoteness of the location and difficult access, Studio Saxe decided to create a light steel frame that could be prefabricated off-site, brought, and assembled in a fast and effective way. This not only ensured the quality of the construction in a very remote location, but it also allowed the process of construction to be very light touch and the intervention on the site to be very minimal while creating the sensation of large open spaces that bring the view in and at the same time are protected by a large roof held by steel “I” beams. Sustainability At Studio Saxe we believe that proper design with nature should be the first focus of sustainability and thus, this villa has been oriented properly to take advantage of predominant winds for cooling. Also, long overhangs protect from the sun and the rain in the most critical parts of the day creating comfort without the use of energy. A light touch construction method meant that the impact on the site was minimal during the implementation of the villa and the extended roofline also serves as a means to collect water and energy generation.

Nestled in the dunes of northern Peregian Beach, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Kestrel is an extensive and carefully curated reimagining of a dated 1990s Mediterranean-style home. The original floor plan was highly compartmentalized, prioritizing ocean views at the expense of functional layout and connection to the site. With young children in tow, the new owners envisioned a more open design - one that establishes a clear visual link between the sea views at the rear and a playful front yard. This re-prioritisation of the front yard not only strengthens the home’s relationship to the landscape but also allows for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, a quality the original home lacked. From the street, the house presents as a sleek, single-storey form - its introverted façade concealing the expansive ocean views revealed only upon entering through the front gate. Upon entry the home openly reveals its communal spaces whilst concealing secondary programming behind a series of hidden doors. The lower level hosts a collection of bedrooms and living spaces that flow effortlessly to the pool area and native vegetation beyond. Through a series of deliberate architectural interventions and a renewed connection to its surrounding landscape, Kestrel amplifies the experience of coastal living in this sublime location.

A breathtaking, luxury residence in South Florida’s exclusive Cocoplum neighborhood blends clean, contemporary craftsmanship with warmth and comfort. Sanandres completed extensive structural intervention to improve the flow and function of the award-winning residence’s interior spaces.

This micro-apartment is more than a dwelling — it's a curated emotional experience. Designed by Genesis Design, the 43 m² loft offers an introspective environment that merges raw, masculine elements with gentle interventions. The ceiling is raw concrete, anchoring the space in an industrial identity. Below it, soft light spills over textured materials: green tiles, wood cabinetry, botanical structures, and matte black fixtures. A steel-framed canopy above the kitchen holds plants that gently cascade, forming an organic chandelier. The bed, hidden beneath a raised platform, disappears by day. A hammock loft invites idle thought. “Urban Stillness” is a space that honors time — not just function. Designed for unwinding, pausing, and reconnecting inside the chaos of the city.

The project’s goal is to introduce more affordable contemporary homes for Triangle Area housing. This 1,800 SF modern ranch-style residence takes its shape from the archetypal gable form and helps to integrate itself into the neighborhood. Although the house presents a modern intervention, the project’s scale and proportional parameters integrate into its context. Natural light and ventilation are passive goals for the project. A strong indoor-outdoor connection was sought by establishing views toward the wooded landscape and having a deck structure weave into the public area. North Carolina’s natural textures are represented in the simple black and tan palette of the facade.

How do you modernize modernism on a budget? This house had charming midcentury character and lots of potential but had been neglected for many years and was sorely in need of a refresh to bring it up to modern standards of comfort, finish, and sustainability. The tight budget dictated that it would not be a down-to-the-studs, gut remodel, but more of a surgical intervention. Built in 1955, the house had settled on the downhill side, making the floors slope almost 4” from the front to the back of the house. Using an innovative and inexpensive push-pile method, the foundation was reinforced and the house was jacked back up. It now sits solidly on bedrock and the floor is level to within a half-inch throughout. Inside, the original kitchen was worn and needed replacement. This presented an opportunity to remove the walls separating it from the living and dining area and create a wide-open great room with a peninsula counter for guests to gather and an almost continuous wall of windows to take in views of the hills, trees, and bay. Throughout the rest of the house, most finishes were restored, or replaced when necessary. Wood floors were refinished, and new cork flooring, a slightly less durable but much less expensive alternative to tile and similar materials, was used in all wet areas, with the added benefit of warmth and resiliency. The existing textured walls and ceilings were skim-coated smooth with plaster, dark beams painted white, and existing wood wall paneling in the living room was cleaned and color-matched where new pieces were required. All of the existing frameless, direct-glazed windows were replaced with double pane units, and a new floor-to-ceiling window on the south side of the living room provides a key source of natural light. In the bathrooms, existing tile and vanities were saved, and a strangely colored tub and sinks were re-glazed. Flooring, toilets, lighting, double medicine cabinets, and paint in each space make these mostly unaltered rooms feel new again. Sustainability and comfort upgrades include an induction range (step one of an eventual transition to full electrification), spray foam insulation under the floor, spray-in cellulose in the walls, and warm-dim LED lighting throughout on a simple whole-house control system. Combined with a modern thermostat, the house’s systems are all accessible via app from anywhere. And the most sustainable feature of all? What we didn’t do: tear it down and start over. In a country that demolishes a million homes a year- 1% of our residential housing stock- reusing an existing home is the greenest solution of all.

Photography Robin Hill & Chance Stillman The renovation of this contemporary residence and garden is deeply inspired by its subtropical context, utilizing horizontal lines to ground the home and connect its occupants to nature. When considering how to make the most impactful intervention, the design team focused mainly on horizontal roof planes, subtropical landscaping and an abundance of clerestory windows that would all contribute to the home’s integration with its site. In contrast to the tropes of a Palm Beach traditional vernacular, this home seeks to re-establish itself within nature as a place for a young family. Architectural strategies included dematerializing the surrounding walls and expanding the roof eaves to connect the interior spaces with the surrounding gardens of the home. The site plan is organized around four main pavilions: A bedroom pavilion to the south, a cabana pavilion to the west, a garage pavilion to the north, and a central living pavilion. Each of the three pavilions engage with the central living space while still allowing nature to flow between them. The pavilions are organized around the pool deck, equipped with zero-edge detailing and layered subtropical landscaping. In this way the swimming pool doubles as a recreational component to the program but also as a mirror to expand views and reflect the surrounding landscape. A glass bridge serves as the garden threshold between the garage and the home. The renovated home and garden departs from its former Bahamian style and stands out within the community as a symbol for the future of architecture and landscape architecture within this quiet, ocean-front community. A residence derived from, and in response to, its user and environmental context; thus, re-establishing it with place. Scale 1 ACRE Scope HARDSCAPE, SWIMMING POOL + PLANTING DESIGN Year 2022 Architecture KODA Landscape Architecture LandFluent General Contractor PB Built Landscape Contractor Rood Landscape

photo: Marion Brenner
Eclectic patio photo in San Francisco

Home design - contemporary home design idea in Berlin

Viewed from the garden, the relationship between the original home and the modern addition becomes clear. The intervention preserves the existing structure while extending its functionality outward through decks, terraces, and circulation paths.

Built in the mid-1700s, this historic home reflects centuries of evolution, with additions made over time to meet changing needs. While each expansion added to the story of the house, the overall layout had become somewhat haphazard. Our challenge was to bring harmony and cohesion to the home while preserving the character and charm that only a centuries-old property can offer. With deep respect for the home’s architectural roots, we approached the renovation with a focus on thoughtful reconfiguration rather than dramatic intervention—creating spaces that feel intentional, balanced, and true to the original spirit of the house.

A breathtaking, luxury residence in South Florida’s exclusive Cocoplum neighborhood blends clean, contemporary craftsmanship with warmth and comfort. Sanandres completed extensive structural intervention to improve the flow and function of the award-winning residence’s interior spaces.

GOAT believes wholeheartedly that good design is good business and that our ideas and services add tremendous economic value to a project. The Weyer Street project is the case study that verifies this belief. Purchased by a contractor with the intent of remodeling and then immediately selling, GOAT was brought in to produce the permit drawings and provide some input on finishes. Rather than stop there, we reimagined the house’s layout, developed a series of unique interior and exterior interventions like reclaimed wood feature walls and a semi-private indoor/outdoor space, selected distinct, contemporary fixtures and finishes, and a completely reinvented the existing, unflattering facades. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind home that sold within days of hitting the market.

A breathtaking, luxury residence in South Florida’s exclusive Cocoplum neighborhood blends clean, contemporary craftsmanship with warmth and comfort. Sanandres completed extensive structural intervention to improve the flow and function of the award-winning residence’s interior spaces.

Interventions include new entry canopy & Master Closet bump out
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Other

This commission involved the renovation and conversion of two duplex apartments into one single residence/retreat. The two existing external stairs were removed and replaced by a single internal staircase. This intervention made it possible to create one large outdoor area and maximise the existing view. The steel canopies and wooden sun terraces act as visual links between the two original living units. In collaboration with Minimum Arquitectura. Foto's © Verne en Raül Candales Franch

Photography Robin Hill & Chance Stillman The renovation of this contemporary residence and garden is deeply inspired by its subtropical context, utilizing horizontal lines to ground the home and connect its occupants to nature. When considering how to make the most impactful intervention, the design team focused mainly on horizontal roof planes, subtropical landscaping and an abundance of clerestory windows that would all contribute to the home’s integration with its site. In contrast to the tropes of a Palm Beach traditional vernacular, this home seeks to re-establish itself within nature as a place for a young family. Architectural strategies included dematerializing the surrounding walls and expanding the roof eaves to connect the interior spaces with the surrounding gardens of the home. The site plan is organized around four main pavilions: A bedroom pavilion to the south, a cabana pavilion to the west, a garage pavilion to the north, and a central living pavilion. Each of the three pavilions engage with the central living space while still allowing nature to flow between them. The pavilions are organized around the pool deck, equipped with zero-edge detailing and layered subtropical landscaping. In this way the swimming pool doubles as a recreational component to the program but also as a mirror to expand views and reflect the surrounding landscape. A glass bridge serves as the garden threshold between the garage and the home. The renovated home and garden departs from its former Bahamian style and stands out within the community as a symbol for the future of architecture and landscape architecture within this quiet, ocean-front community. A residence derived from, and in response to, its user and environmental context; thus, re-establishing it with place. Scale 1 ACRE Scope HARDSCAPE, SWIMMING POOL + PLANTING DESIGN Year 2022 Architecture KODA Landscape Architecture LandFluent General Contractor PB Built Landscape Contractor Rood Landscape

Large tuscan medium tone wood floor, brown floor, wood ceiling and wallpaper dining room photo in Miami with multicolored walls