Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

The inset cedar gables are patterned as a graphical reflection of the tree growth in the area over the past 100 years. A government report of tree growth that analyzed the tree rings of local trees provided a metric that could be reinterpreted as board widths. These were calculated and installed as the east and west gables; a contextual reference to the age of the farmstead on the new house.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to be placed inside an existing masonry fireplace and uses the existing fireplace and chimney to hold the unit and support venting. A gas fireplace insert transforms an old wood fireplace into a high-efficiency gas heater that uses either natural gas or propane and many are eligible for local government rebates.

This very cool indoor basketball surfacing is by SnapSports , the world's leading modular sports flooring company. FIBA approved ( the world's governing body for the sport of basketball ) . features the Maple ShockTower with custom lane and logos. 100% waterproof too! Installed by local SnapSports builder, nationwide

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

On a quiet cul-de-sac not too far from downtown San Luis Obispo lies the contemporary craftsman styled Clausen Residence. The challenges that accompanied this project were what, in the end, made it so interesting. The buildable area of the site is very small due to the fact that almost half of the property is occupied by a biological open space easement, established to protect the creek that runs behind the lot. In addition to this, the site is incredibly steep, which lent itself well to a stair stepped 3-story floor plan. Strict height restrictions set by the local jurisdiction governed the decision to bury the garage in the hill, and set the main living space on top of it, accompanied by the children’s bedrooms and game room further back on the site. The 3rd floor is occupied fully by the master suite, which looks down on the back yard below. Off of the great room is a vast deck, with built in barbecue, fire place and heaters, ideal for outdoor entertaining year round. The house, adorned in lap siding and true craftsman details is flanked by gorgeous oak trees and the creek beyond.

Erin Feinblatt
Example of a large beach style freestanding desk light wood floor and white floor study room design in Santa Barbara with white walls and no fireplace

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Pool - transitional pool idea in San Francisco

On a quiet cul-de-sac not too far from downtown San Luis Obispo lies the contemporary craftsman styled Clausen Residence. The challenges that accompanied this project were what, in the end, made it so interesting. The buildable area of the site is very small due to the fact that almost half of the property is occupied by a biological open space easement, established to protect the creek that runs behind the lot. In addition to this, the site is incredibly steep, which lent itself well to a stair stepped 3-story floor plan. Strict height restrictions set by the local jurisdiction governed the decision to bury the garage in the hill, and set the main living space on top of it, accompanied by the children’s bedrooms and game room further back on the site. The 3rd floor is occupied fully by the master suite, which looks down on the back yard below. Off of the great room is a vast deck, with built in barbecue, fire place and heaters, ideal for outdoor entertaining year round. The house, adorned in lap siding and true craftsman details is flanked by gorgeous oak trees and the creek beyond.

On a quiet cul-de-sac not too far from downtown San Luis Obispo lies the contemporary craftsman styled Clausen Residence. The challenges that accompanied this project were what, in the end, made it so interesting. The buildable area of the site is very small due to the fact that almost half of the property is occupied by a biological open space easement, established to protect the creek that runs behind the lot. In addition to this, the site is incredibly steep, which lent itself well to a stair stepped 3-story floor plan. Strict height restrictions set by the local jurisdiction governed the decision to bury the garage in the hill, and set the main living space on top of it, accompanied by the children’s bedrooms and game room further back on the site. The 3rd floor is occupied fully by the master suite, which looks down on the back yard below. Off of the great room is a vast deck, with built in barbecue, fire place and heaters, ideal for outdoor entertaining year round. The house, adorned in lap siding and true craftsman details is flanked by gorgeous oak trees and the creek beyond.

Austin.newhomeprograms.com LLC is a National Real Estate Brokerage Firm providing solutions for the needs of home buyers and sellers in Austin, Established on September 2005 as a web site portal of information for the first time home buyer in the city of Houston, TX. We are a member of the Local, various & National Association of REALTORS®. We offer a variety of programs to assist Austin Residential & Commercial services as well as Apartment Locating services. Our REALTORS® are highly skilled in Mortgage Requirements & Financing, Credit Scoring, Government Down payment Assistance Programs. We provide different kinds of service – • New Home Builders Program • First Time Buyer Program • Luxury Home Buyer Program • Credit Enhancement Program™ • Build on Your Lot Program • Sellers 2% Program

The reading balcony connects the master bedroom to the neighborhood and suns travel throughout the day. it is scaled to provide a great place to read and drink coffee in the morning sunrise then relax after work and watch the sunset to the east with a loved one with some candles. We also had fun getting this approved by the local government. On the lot we were allowed to have a roof overhang at the first floor entry door, but not a column or roof extending from the second floor, so we detailed a balcony to the maximum "roof overhang" depth of 3 feet allowed by the city and were able to get it approved that way. We really enjoy finding innovative ways to provide design solutions for our clients.