The exterior was completely transformed from a boring brick ranch to a modern black and white gem!
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern white one-story brick house exterior remodel in Chicago with a hip roof and a shingle roof

OVERVIEW Set into a mature Boston area neighborhood, this sophisticated 2900SF home offers efficient use of space, expression through form, and myriad of green features. MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING Designed to accommodate three family generations, paired living spaces on the first and second levels are architecturally expressed on the facade by window systems that wrap the front corners of the house. Included are two kitchens, two living areas, an office for two, and two master suites. CURB APPEAL The home includes both modern form and materials, using durable cedar and through-colored fiber cement siding, permeable parking with an electric charging station, and an acrylic overhang to shelter foot traffic from rain. FEATURE STAIR An open stair with resin treads and glass rails winds from the basement to the third floor, channeling natural light through all the home’s levels. LEVEL ONE The first floor kitchen opens to the living and dining space, offering a grand piano and wall of south facing glass. A master suite and private ‘home office for two’ complete the level. LEVEL TWO The second floor includes another open concept living, dining, and kitchen space, with kitchen sink views over the green roof. A full bath, bedroom and reading nook are perfect for the children. LEVEL THREE The third floor provides the second master suite, with separate sink and wardrobe area, plus a private roofdeck. ENERGY The super insulated home features air-tight construction, continuous exterior insulation, and triple-glazed windows. The walls and basement feature foam-free cavity & exterior insulation. On the rooftop, a solar electric system helps offset energy consumption. WATER Cisterns capture stormwater and connect to a drip irrigation system. Inside the home, consumption is limited with high efficiency fixtures and appliances. TEAM Architecture & Mechanical Design – ZeroEnergy Design Contractor – Aedi Construction Photos – Eric Roth Photography

Access to the backyard beside the home was very tight requiring excavation removals to travel via a Betz conveyor system. All pool, deck and landscaping materials including substrates, concrete, limestone, mortar, plantings, etc. were wheelbarrowed in by hand.

The cabana is clad in stone with board and batten to match the architecture of the home. It features a covered lounge area and three interior rooms, a washroom, a change room and pool equipment room which is accessed on the side.

The linen closet from the hallway and bathroom was removed and the vanity area was decreased to allow room for an intimate-sized sauna. • This change also gave room for a larger shower area o Superior main showerhead o Rain head from ceiling o Hand-held shower for seated comfort o Independent volume controls for multiple users/functions o Grab bars to aid for stability and seated functions o Teak bench to add warmth and ability to sit while bathing • Curbless entry and sliding door system delivers ease of access in the event of any physical limitations. • Cherry cabinetry and vein-cut travertine chosen for warmth and organic qualities – creating a natural spa-like atmosphere. • The bright characteristics of the Nordic white spruce sauna contrast for appreciated cleanliness. • Ease of access for any physical limitations with new curb-less shower entry & sliding enclosure • Additional storage designed with elegance in mind o Recessed medicine cabinets into custom wainscot surround o Custom-designed makeup vanity with a tip-up top for easy access and a mirror o Vanities include pullouts for hair appliances and small toiletries

Although largely dictated by the husband's need for accessibility, the universal design of this kitchen is also extremely friendly for a person of smaller stature (his wife!) The Crystal Keyline island, range-hood and accessible cooktop area are focal points, finished in Antique Ivory w/Brown Highlights, that contrast nicely with Crystal Keyline Toasted Rye w/Brown Highlights cabinetry. The Bayfield door style unifies the design. An accessible prep area next to the right of the stove allows plenty of room for multiple cooks in the kitchen. Typhoon Bordeaux granite countertops are layered in staggered heights for added visual interest. The on-set of a neuromuscular disorder was the basis for this custom kitchen and required the complete customization of this space to the specific needs of the client, as well as to his wife who does most the cooking on a daily basis. The layout was designed for the couple to be able to work together in the kitchen, or independently. The couple feels at home in this kitchen yet, it’s not obvious that someone with physical limitations utilizes this space.

Inspiration for a modern bathroom remodel in Toronto

Tom Story | This family beach house and guest cottage sits perched above the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. A portion of the main house originally housed 1930’s era changing rooms for a Beach Club which included distinguished visitors such as Will Rogers. An apt connection for the new owners also have Oklahoma ties. The structures were limited to one story due to historic easements, therefore both buildings have fully developed basements featuring large windows and French doors to access European style exterior terraces and stairs up to grade. The main house features 5 bedrooms and 5 baths. Custom cabinetry throughout in built-in furniture style. A large design team helped to bring this exciting project to fruition. The house includes Passive Solar heated design, Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water systems. 4,500sf/420m House + 1300 sf Cottage - 6bdrm

The kitchen is fitted with lots of cabinets, including cabinets that are accessible from both sides of the peninsula. The medium grain hardwood floors bring some brilliant color and contrast to this space, helping to add a dash of style into this contemporary home. This medium sized kitchen utilizes the limited space with numerous space saving design details that complement the simple but elegant style of the space.

The linen closet from the hallway and bathroom was removed and the vanity area was decreased to allow room for an intimate-sized sauna. • This change also gave room for a larger shower area o Superior main showerhead o Rain head from ceiling o Hand-held shower for seated comfort o Independent volume controls for multiple users/functions o Grab bars to aid for stability and seated functions o Teak bench to add warmth and ability to sit while bathing • Curbless entry and sliding door system delivers ease of access in the event of any physical limitations. • Cherry cabinetry and vein-cut travertine chosen for warmth and organic qualities – creating a natural spa-like atmosphere. • The bright characteristics of the Nordic white spruce sauna contrast for appreciated cleanliness. • Ease of access for any physical limitations with new curb-less shower entry & sliding enclosure • Additional storage designed with elegance in mind o Recessed medicine cabinets into custom wainscot surround o Custom-designed makeup vanity with a tip-up top for easy access and a mirror o Vanities include pullouts for hair appliances and small toiletries

This aerial view shows the pools premium Pebble Tec Sky Blue exposed aggregate interior. The swim out bench in the deep end corner provides access to the raised feature wall, which is perfect for diving.

Joshua Caldwell
Large mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar photo in Salt Lake City with medium tone wood cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets, gray backsplash and brown countertops

White upper cabinets help make this kitchen more interesting and brighter. Roll-under workspace and sink, pull-out cutting boards, and a side-hinged range all add up to easier access from a wheelchair, and greater flexibility for everyone. Photo: Erick Mikiten, AIA

The cabana is equipped for multi-season use and features an outdoor kitchen, dining area, covered lounge area and washroom/change room. Access to the pool equipment and storage room is from the other side. The adjoining expanse of lawn is the perfect spot for summer sports or a winter skating rink.

This modern passive solar residence sits on five acres of steep mountain land with great views looking down the Beaverdam Valley in Asheville, North Carolina. The house is on a south-facing slope that allowed the owners to build the energy efficient, passive solar house they had been dreaming of. Our clients were looking for decidedly modern architecture with a low maintenance exterior and a clean-lined and comfortable interior. We developed a light and neutral interior palette that provides a simple backdrop to highlight an extensive family art collection and eclectic mix of antique and modern furniture. Builder: Standing Stone Builders

Cavennphoto LImited Great Room of retirement Lodge, 3 seating areas, wine lockers, interactive touch screen, access to outdoor patio double sided fireplace, clear T & G cedar ceilings with stained glu-lam beam trusses.

Example of a large transitional walk-out medium tone wood floor and beige floor basement design in Chicago with gray walls and no fireplace

Runtal towel warmer and radiant floor heat provide all the heating necessary for the room. Duravit pedestal sink, Rohl faucet. The shelf behind the sink is a practical solution for limited access for plumbing pipes below the floor. Custom medicine cabinets.

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”