The 722 Ash Street residence consists of a 1500 sf primary house with a contiguous 500 sf accessory dwelling. The project is set in the rich culture of North Lawrence, its rear property line abuts the Lawrence levee trail which runs for nine miles along the north bank of the Kansas River. North Lawrence is known for its quality soil, large trees, curbless streets and random size parcels before it breaks into larger farms further from the urban center. It is built on the typical orthogonal grid of American development, but it represents the older growth of the city prior to urban planners and zoning regulations. The rumble of freight trains and farm trucks in the shadows of the towering grain elevators are only blocks away. It is home to many who enjoy being only a bridge crossing away from Lawrence’s vibrant downtown but are far enough away to maintain their independence from many of the restrictions on living near the historic district. They can work in their large gardens and toiling in their garages and shops in a manner more rural than urban. The house on 722 Ash St. is imbued with the character of North Lawrence and the Levee Trail area. The design was inspired by the Midwestern farmstead vernacular of the region. These timeless vernacular qualities house all the accommodations necessary for modern, sustainable living. A unique feature of this house is the Accessory Dwelling Unit permitted in the zoning district. It is a small separate residence on the same lot that can be used for income property or for extended family members. It also supports the city of Lawrence’s goals of increased density close to downtown rather than continued sprawl into the countryside. The buildings use technology and common-sense design to reduce the building’s footprint and assure the owners low energy use and costs. A 4.9 Kw solar collection system is located on the only south facing gable and the super insulated envelopes (r-62 roof and r-35 walls) of all three forms easily exceeds the standards. Studio 804 continues their long standing pattern of maintaining the highest level of sustainable design while remaining contextually sensitive to the surrounding community. This house, like every Studio 804 project since 2008, is USGBC LEED Platinum Certified.

Built in 1959 by midcentury NW architect Art Johansen (sketch at left), the Shilshole Residence is a study in modernist principles adapted to local materials. Wood-clad walls running parallel to the street create a series of interlocking volumes connected by glass voids. This thoughtful renovation maintains the home's unique character while providing comprehensive updates to both interior finishes and exterior envelope. Key exterior elements include the striking shou sugi ban siding, a view-facing glass wall spanning one entire side of the home, and lush landscaping. The custom house numbers—milled directly into the siding in CAST's own shop—were inspired by Johansen's early design sketches found in the home. Inside, a continuous line from the remodeled kitchen to the original fireplace unifies the space. Geometric metalwork, warm walnut cabinetry, quartz countertops, and multiple skylights bring texture and richness to the interiors. The primary suite and study keep all of the main living spaces on the main floor. The lower level features an exercise room and a guest suite with a separate entrance, where the original brick is stained black to create a dramatic, modern contrast. The home retains its existing footprint, retaining captured carbon in its existing construction while vastly increasing its energy efficiency. While the house is modest in size, the surgical addition of new openings makes it feel much larger, particularly in the primary suite with its spa-like bathroom.

The Glo European Windows A5 Series windows and doors were carefully selected for the Whitefish Residence to support the high performance and modern architectural design of the home. Triple pane glass, a larger continuous thermal break, multiple air seals, and high performance spacers all help to eliminate condensation and heat convection while providing durability to last the lifetime of the building. This higher level of efficiency will also help to keep continued utility costs low and maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Large fixed window units mulled together in the field provide sweeping views of the valley and mountains beyond. Full light exterior doors with transom windows above provide natural daylight to penetrate deep into the home. A large lift and slide door opens the living area to the exterior of the home and creates an atmosphere of spaciousness and ethereality. Modern aluminum frames with clean lines paired with stainless steel handles accent the subtle details of the architectural design. Tilt and turn windows throughout the space allow the option of natural ventilation while maintaining clear views of the picturesque landscape.

Boasting views of the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, the Beaux Arts and French Renaissance style building built in 1900 was once home to a luxury hotel. Over the years multiple hotel rooms were combined into the larger apartment residences that exist today. The resulting units, while large in size, lacked the continuity of a single formed space. StudioLAB was presented with the challenge of re-designing the space to fit a modern family’s lifestyle today with the flexibility to adjust as they evolve into their tomorrow. Thus, the existing configuration was completely abandoned with new programmatic elements being relocated in each and every corner of the space. For clients that are big wine connoisseurs, the focal point of entry and circulation lies in a 400 bottle, custom built, blackened steel and glass, temperature controlled wine cabinet. The once enclosed living room was demolished to create one main entertaining space that includes a new dining area and open kitchen. Hafele bi-folding pocket door slides were used in the Living room wall unit to conceal the television, bar and display shelves when not in use. Posing as kitchen cabinetry, a hidden integrated door opens to reveal a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Down the hallway of wide plank ebony stained walnut flooring, a compact powder room was built to house an original Paul Villinski installation of small butterflies cut from recycled aluminum cans, entitled Mistral. Continuing down the hall, and through one of the walnut veneered doors, is the shared kids bedroom where a custom-built bunk bed with integrated storage steps and desk was designed to allow for play space and a reading corner. The kids bathroom across the hall is decorated with custom Lego inspired hand cast concrete tiles and integrated pull-out footstools residing underneath the floating vanity. The master suite features a bio-ethanol fireplace wrapped in blackened steel and integrated into the Tabu veneered built-in. The spacious walk-in closet serves several purposes, which include housing the apartment’s new central HVAC system as well as a sleeping spot for the family’s dog. An integrated URC control system paired with Lutron Radio RA lighting keypads were installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades all by the use of smartphones.

We were approached by a San Francisco firefighter to design a place for him and his girlfriend to live while also creating additional units he could sell to finance the project. He grew up in the house that was built on this site in approximately 1886. It had been remodeled repeatedly since it was first built so that there was only one window remaining that showed any sign of its Victorian heritage. The house had become so dilapidated over the years that it was a legitimate candidate for demolition. Furthermore, the house straddled two legal parcels, so there was an opportunity to build several new units in its place. At our client’s suggestion, we developed the left building as a duplex of which they could occupy the larger, upper unit and the right building as a large single-family residence. In addition to design, we handled permitting, including gathering support by reaching out to the surrounding neighbors and shepherding the project through the Planning Commission Discretionary Review process. The Planning Department insisted that we develop the two buildings so they had different characters and could not be mistaken for an apartment complex. The duplex design was inspired by Albert Frey’s Palm Springs modernism but clad in fibre cement panels and the house design was to be clad in wood. Because the site was steeply upsloping, the design required tall, thick retaining walls that we incorporated into the design creating sunken patios in the rear yards. All floors feature generous 10 foot ceilings and large windows with the upper, bedroom floors featuring 11 and 12 foot ceilings. Open plans are complemented by sleek, modern finishes throughout.

This residence is a 2,400 SF 3-story townhouse located in the Bucktown development originally designed by Brininstool and Lynch in Chicago. The uniquely wide floorplan creates larger open spaces that wrap around an interior courtyard and feels more horizontal than vertical in organization. 12’-0” ceilings on the first floor and large floor to ceiling windows bring an abundance of natural light into the interior. A spacious roof deck extends the connection to the outdoors with sweeping city views. The renovation project removed walls, opened up the kitchen to the family room space and unified flooring with charcoal grey wood flooring throughout. Built-in bookcases in the entry replace a console and mirror creating a casual welcome to the home’s interiors. Classic and contemporary furniture profiles rendered in light textured fabrics contrast with metal and wood tone accents. Walls and ceilings are painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove.

This Fort Worth residence, originally built in 1983, was reimagined for homeowners who wanted to remain in a home they loved while elevating it for the way they live today. Designed and built by USI Design & Remodeling, the project unfolded in three phases over an 8yr period, beginning with a complete primary bath reconfiguration that removed an oversized corner tub, reset the toilet location, and created a larger shower, improved circulation, and dedicated his-and-hers storage. The second and third phases expanded the soft contemporary design language throughout the home, including a second primary-level bath, kitchen, breakfast area, family room, laundry, dining spaces, flooring, doors, trim, cabinetry, and architectural detailing. Natural stone, maple millwork, curated lighting, garden views, and gallery-like focal points were used to create a cohesive interior that feels lighter, more personal, and more refined while honoring the home’s original character.

We were approached by a San Francisco firefighter to design a place for him and his girlfriend to live while also creating additional units he could sell to finance the project. He grew up in the house that was built on this site in approximately 1886. It had been remodeled repeatedly since it was first built so that there was only one window remaining that showed any sign of its Victorian heritage. The house had become so dilapidated over the years that it was a legitimate candidate for demolition. Furthermore, the house straddled two legal parcels, so there was an opportunity to build several new units in its place. At our client’s suggestion, we developed the left building as a duplex of which they could occupy the larger, upper unit and the right building as a large single-family residence. In addition to design, we handled permitting, including gathering support by reaching out to the surrounding neighbors and shepherding the project through the Planning Commission Discretionary Review process. The Planning Department insisted that we develop the two buildings so they had different characters and could not be mistaken for an apartment complex. The duplex design was inspired by Albert Frey’s Palm Springs modernism but clad in fibre cement panels and the house design was to be clad in wood. Because the site was steeply upsloping, the design required tall, thick retaining walls that we incorporated into the design creating sunken patios in the rear yards. All floors feature generous 10 foot ceilings and large windows with the upper, bedroom floors featuring 11 and 12 foot ceilings. Open plans are complemented by sleek, modern finishes throughout.

This Fort Worth residence, originally built in 1983, was reimagined for homeowners who wanted to remain in a home they loved while elevating it for the way they live today. Designed and built by USI Design & Remodeling, the project unfolded in three phases over an 8yr period, beginning with a complete primary bath reconfiguration that removed an oversized corner tub, reset the toilet location, and created a larger shower, improved circulation, and dedicated his-and-hers storage. The second and third phases expanded the soft contemporary design language throughout the home, including a second primary-level bath, kitchen, breakfast area, family room, laundry, dining spaces, flooring, doors, trim, cabinetry, and architectural detailing. Natural stone, maple millwork, curated lighting, garden views, and gallery-like focal points were used to create a cohesive interior that feels lighter, more personal, and more refined while honoring the home’s original character.

We were approached by a San Francisco firefighter to design a place for him and his girlfriend to live while also creating additional units he could sell to finance the project. He grew up in the house that was built on this site in approximately 1886. It had been remodeled repeatedly since it was first built so that there was only one window remaining that showed any sign of its Victorian heritage. The house had become so dilapidated over the years that it was a legitimate candidate for demolition. Furthermore, the house straddled two legal parcels, so there was an opportunity to build several new units in its place. At our client’s suggestion, we developed the left building as a duplex of which they could occupy the larger, upper unit and the right building as a large single-family residence. In addition to design, we handled permitting, including gathering support by reaching out to the surrounding neighbors and shepherding the project through the Planning Commission Discretionary Review process. The Planning Department insisted that we develop the two buildings so they had different characters and could not be mistaken for an apartment complex. The duplex design was inspired by Albert Frey’s Palm Springs modernism but clad in fibre cement panels and the house design was to be clad in wood. Because the site was steeply upsloping, the design required tall, thick retaining walls that we incorporated into the design creating sunken patios in the rear yards. All floors feature generous 10 foot ceilings and large windows with the upper, bedroom floors featuring 11 and 12 foot ceilings. Open plans are complemented by sleek, modern finishes throughout.

This Fort Worth residence, originally built in 1983, was reimagined for homeowners who wanted to remain in a home they loved while elevating it for the way they live today. Designed and built by USI Design & Remodeling, the project unfolded in three phases over an 8yr period, beginning with a complete primary bath reconfiguration that removed an oversized corner tub, reset the toilet location, and created a larger shower, improved circulation, and dedicated his-and-hers storage. The second and third phases expanded the soft contemporary design language throughout the home, including a second primary-level bath, kitchen, breakfast area, family room, laundry, dining spaces, flooring, doors, trim, cabinetry, and architectural detailing. Natural stone, maple millwork, curated lighting, garden views, and gallery-like focal points were used to create a cohesive interior that feels lighter, more personal, and more refined while honoring the home’s original character.

Design on the Via de Vista Residence began before the family moved into the home with the goals of modernizing the design and capturing the ocean views. The design focused on the exterior finishes, entryway, rear deck, newly added roof deck, and an entire interior update while adding no square footage. The exterior shifted from an Avocado Green siding to a combination of crisp white stucco and whiteboard and batten finish with updated black light fixtures for contrast. Entering the home, views to the ocean are created through a large 9'-0" by 4'-0" black metal frame and glass pivot door surrounded by large thin-framed sidelights and transom windows. Across from the entryway, beyond the living room is a new 14'-0" by 9'-0" La Cantina door that continues the unobstructed views out to the larger deck and water beyond, connecting the deck and living room, seamlessly. The newly added rooftop deck sits above the living room down below, mirroring its proportions, and is accessed by a black metal spiral staircase. All interior spaces have been updated with wide plank white oak floors and a variety of upscale but low maintenance finishes throughout the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.

This Fort Worth residence, originally built in 1983, was reimagined for homeowners who wanted to remain in a home they loved while elevating it for the way they live today. Designed and built by USI Design & Remodeling, the project unfolded in three phases over an 8yr period, beginning with a complete primary bath reconfiguration that removed an oversized corner tub, reset the toilet location, and created a larger shower, improved circulation, and dedicated his-and-hers storage. The second and third phases expanded the soft contemporary design language throughout the home, including a second primary-level bath, kitchen, breakfast area, family room, laundry, dining spaces, flooring, doors, trim, cabinetry, and architectural detailing. Natural stone, maple millwork, curated lighting, garden views, and gallery-like focal points were used to create a cohesive interior that feels lighter, more personal, and more refined while honoring the home’s original character.

The Alley Lofts provide a model for living large within a small footprint – spatially, economically, and ecologically. These small but well-appointed lofts provide a minimalist, modern, and sustainable rental option at home amongst their gritty backstreet context. Located on a former backyard infill lot in central Missoula, this new duplex is surrounded by a dense mix of bulky apartment buildings, mother-in-law units, and single-family residences. The lofts’ simple two and a half story gabled form ties in visually with its neighbors, while the minimal detailing, dark stained fir siding, and custom steel elements give hints of the richness within. Plenty of storage is crucial for livability, thus two oversized garages and a bonus room occupy the first floor. Upstairs, the efficient +/- 600 square foot studio apartments feel much larger than they are. Lofted, open floor plans with vaulted ceilings allow for a sharing of light, views, and air between spaces. Oversized juliet balconies open the interiors to the mountain views, while the second floor living configuration maintains privacy from the busy alley. A mix of natural woods, warm white walls, and matte black accents create a balanced, calming interior palette. Clean energy from the 6kW rooftop solar array powers a highly-efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system. Preliminary energy modeling projects the lofts will approach net zero.

The 722 Ash Street residence consists of a 1500 sf primary house with a contiguous 500 sf accessory dwelling. The project is set in the rich culture of North Lawrence, its rear property line abuts the Lawrence levee trail which runs for nine miles along the north bank of the Kansas River. North Lawrence is known for its quality soil, large trees, curbless streets and random size parcels before it breaks into larger farms further from the urban center. It is built on the typical orthogonal grid of American development, but it represents the older growth of the city prior to urban planners and zoning regulations. The rumble of freight trains and farm trucks in the shadows of the towering grain elevators are only blocks away. It is home to many who enjoy being only a bridge crossing away from Lawrence’s vibrant downtown but are far enough away to maintain their independence from many of the restrictions on living near the historic district. They can work in their large gardens and toiling in their garages and shops in a manner more rural than urban. The house on 722 Ash St. is imbued with the character of North Lawrence and the Levee Trail area. The design was inspired by the Midwestern farmstead vernacular of the region. These timeless vernacular qualities house all the accommodations necessary for modern, sustainable living. A unique feature of this house is the Accessory Dwelling Unit permitted in the zoning district. It is a small separate residence on the same lot that can be used for income property or for extended family members. It also supports the city of Lawrence’s goals of increased density close to downtown rather than continued sprawl into the countryside. The buildings use technology and common-sense design to reduce the building’s footprint and assure the owners low energy use and costs. A 4.9 Kw solar collection system is located on the only south facing gable and the super insulated envelopes (r-62 roof and r-35 walls) of all three forms easily exceeds the standards. Studio 804 continues their long standing pattern of maintaining the highest level of sustainable design while remaining contextually sensitive to the surrounding community. This house, like every Studio 804 project since 2008, is USGBC LEED Platinum Certified.

Where collaboration and craft converge, a luminous contemporary home near San Francisco emerges. This new residence is the result of a deeply collaborative design process between client, architect, interior designer, and builder – a team unified by a shared commitment to craft and precision. Set on a site carefully selected for its ideal solar orientation, the home’s layout balances humility and elegance: a single-story street presence conceals a more private two-story wing that opens to garden views. The design evolved through thoughtful iterations, each element studied and refined, from the sculptural plaster stair handcrafted on site to the interplay between light, material, and landscape. Long white Roman bricks and custom stucco ground the home in its Northern California setting, while Venetian plaster and oak inlays create a tactile, luminous interior that shifts with the seasons. Designed to support both intimate family life and larger public gatherings, the home reflects a thoughtful approach to luxury residential architecture in the San Francisco Bay Area: site-responsive, craft-driven, and built to endure.

This Fort Worth residence, originally built in 1983, was reimagined for homeowners who wanted to remain in a home they loved while elevating it for the way they live today. Designed and built by USI Design & Remodeling, the project unfolded in three phases over an 8yr period, beginning with a complete primary bath reconfiguration that removed an oversized corner tub, reset the toilet location, and created a larger shower, improved circulation, and dedicated his-and-hers storage. The second and third phases expanded the soft contemporary design language throughout the home, including a second primary-level bath, kitchen, breakfast area, family room, laundry, dining spaces, flooring, doors, trim, cabinetry, and architectural detailing. Natural stone, maple millwork, curated lighting, garden views, and gallery-like focal points were used to create a cohesive interior that feels lighter, more personal, and more refined while honoring the home’s original character.

Klopf Architecture completely remodeled this once dark Eichler house in Palo Alto creating a more open, bright and functional family home. The reconfigured great room with new full height windows and sliding glass doors blends the indoors with the newly landscaped patio and seating areas outside. The former galley kitchen was relocated and was opened up to have clear sight lines through the great room and out to the patios and yard, including a large island and a beautiful walnut bar countertop with seating. An integrated small front addition was added allowing for a more spacious master bath and hall bath layouts. With the removal of the old brick fireplace, larger sliding glass doors and multiple skylights now flood the home with natural light. The goals were to work within the Eichler style while creating a more open, indoor-outdoor flow and functional spaces, as well as a more efficient building envelope including a well insulated roof, providing solutions that many Eichler homeowners appreciate. The original entryway lacked unique details; the clients desired a more gracious front approach. The historic Eichler color palette was used to create a modern updated front facade. Durable grey porcelain floor tiles unify the entire home, creating a continuous flow. They, along with white walls, provide a backdrop for the unique elements and materials to stand on their own, such as the brightly colored mosaic tiles, the walnut bar and furniture, and stained ceiling boards. A secondary living space was extended out to the patio with the addition of a bench and additional seating. This Single family Eichler 4 bedroom 2 bath remodel is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, and Ethan Taylor Contractor: Coast to Coast Construction Landscape Contractor: Discelli Structural Engineer: Brian Dotson Consulting Engineer Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2017

Located in a neighborhood characterized by traditional bungalow style single-family residences, Orange Grove is a new landmark for the City of West Hollywood. The building is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood, but differs in material palette and scale from its neighbors. Referencing architectural conventions of modernism rather than the pitched roof forms of traditional domesticity, the project presents a characteristic that is consistent with the eclectic and often unconventional demographic of West Hollywood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the street by virtue of its large amount of highly usable balcony area in the front façade. While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale parts, and is itself broken down into two different buildings. Orange Grove displays a similar kind of iconoclasm as the Schindler House, an icon of California modernism, located a short distance away. Like the Schindler House, the conventional architectural elements of windows and porches become part of an abstract sculptural ensemble. At the Schindler House, windows are found in the gaps between structural concrete wall panels. At Orange Grove, windows are inserted in gaps between different sections of the building. The design of Orange Grove is generated by a subtle balance of tensions. Building volumes and the placement of windows, doors and balconies are not static but rather constitute an active three-dimensional composition in motion. Each piece of the building is a strong and clearly defined shape, such as the corrugated metal surround that encloses the second story balcony in the east and north facades. Another example of this clear delineation is the use of two square profile balcony surrounds in the front façade that set up a dialogue between them—one is small, the other large, one is open at the front, the other is veiled with stainless steel slats. At the same time each balcony is balanced and related to other elements in the building, the smaller one to the driveway gate below and the other to the roll-up door and first floor balcony. Each building element is intended to read as an abstract form in itself—such as a window becoming a slit or windows becoming a framed box, while also becoming part of a larger whole. Although this building may not mirror the status quo it answers to the desires of consumers in a burgeoning niche market who want large, simple interior volumes of space, and a paradigm based on space, light and industrial materials of the loft rather than the bungalow.