The goal of this landscape design and build project was to enhance a newly renovated modern residence in Cohasset, MA. It features thermal true blue bluestone pavers, beach stones, and large bluestone steps surrounded by a completely beach adapted and drought tolerant planting palette. This design is also on a steep hillside and incorporates a butterfly garden and New England native plants. Designed and built by Skyline Landscapes LLC. Hardscape Materials: Bluestone Pavers, Bluestone Steps, Beach Stone, Landscape Lighting, Irrigation Planting Palette: Butterfly Garden, Beach Grasses, Beach Roses, Low Maintenance, Drought Tollerant

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Green roofs have many benefits—very low roof temperatures (making for significantly lower indoor temperatures), very low maintenance, habitat for wildlife, water absorption to stop storm water runoff (no gutter is required), and year-round color — this sedum roof turns a beautiful bright red in the winter.

The Solar Decathlon project’s focus on energy efficiency and modern design led them to select the Glo A5 Series windows and doors for the project. Two large Lift and Slide doors paired with hidden sash windows and two custom – and bright red – D1 entry doors complement the modern aesthetic of the home and provide exceptional thermal performance. High performance spacers, low iron glass, larger continuous thermal breaks, and multiple air seals deliver high performance, cost effective durability and sophisticated design. Beyond performance and looks, the A5 Series windows and doors provide natural ventilation and a strong visual connection to the outdoors. Photography by: Nita Torrey Photography

Situated in the heart of Charlotte, this contemporary home is part of the ReAlta neighborhood. ReAlta is the first solar community in Charlotte, NC. The ReBalance plan boasts an expansive rooftop deck, a private master suite at the back of the home, a light and airy front office and more windows than we can count. What the homeowners love: Huge energy savings from the solar & energy saving build process Super quiet interior rooms (from the insulated interior walls) Large windows placed for optimal sunlight and privacy from the neighbors Smart home system that's part of the house Low, low utility bills (resulting from the solar and the home's thermal envelope) ReBalance is a 3 bed, 3.5 bath home and is 2,624 square feet. With ReAlta, we are introducing for the first time in Charlotte a fully solar community. Each beautifully detailed home will incorporate low profile solar panels that will collect the sun’s rays to significantly offset the home’s energy usage. Combined with our industry-leading Home Efficiency Ratings (HERS), these solar systems will save a ReAlta homeowner thousands over the life of the home. Credit: Brendan Kahm

Front Patio off of kitchen, with block wall & gate. Wrap around patio.
Inspiration for a small southwestern front yard brick patio container garden remodel in Phoenix with no cover

This Ketchum cabin retreat is a modern take of the conventional cabin with clean roof lines, large expanses of glass, and tiered living spaces. The board-form concrete exterior, charred cypress wood siding, and steel panels work harmoniously together. The natural elements of the home soften the hard lines, allowing it to submerge into its surroundings. The Glo A5 triple-pane windows and doors were utilized for their advanced performance capabilities. Year-round comfort is achieved by the thermally-broken aluminum frame, low iron glass, multiple air seals, and argon-filled glazing. Advanced thermal technology was pivotal for the home’s design considering the amount of glazing that is used throughout the home. The windows and multiple 16’ sliding doors are one of the main features of the home’s design, focusing heavily on the beauty of Idaho. The doors also allow easy access to the deck, creating an eagle-eye view of the Valley.

Windows reaching a grand 12’ in height fully capture the allurement of the area, bringing the outdoors into each space. Furthermore, the large 16’ multi-paneled doors provide the constant awareness of forest life just beyond. The unique roof lines are mimicked throughout the home with trapezoid transom windows, ensuring optimal daylighting and design interest. A standing-seam metal, clads the multi-tiered shed-roof line. The dark aesthetic of the roof anchors the home and brings a cohesion to the exterior design. The contemporary exterior is comprised of cedar shake, horizontal and vertical wood siding, and aluminum clad panels creating dimension while remaining true to the natural environment. The Glo A5 double pane windows and doors were utilized for their cost-effective durability and efficiency. The A5 Series provides a thermally-broken aluminum frame with multiple air seals, low iron glass, argon filled glazing, and low-e coating. These features create an unparalleled double-pane product equipped for the variant northern temperatures of the region. With u-values as low as 0.280, these windows ensure year-round comfort.

Example of a farmhouse patio design in New York

Sited on a large parcel with great exposure in Price Valley (just north of McCall), this home was designed to maximize it’s passive solar heating potential. The roof overhangs and glazing were designed with 3D modeling software. The intent was to capture as much direct sunlight as possible during the winter months (when the sun is low on the horizon) and block the solar gain during summer months (when it is higher in the skyline). The home utilizes a double stud wall framing system to allow for greater insulation values in the wall and minimizes thermal conduction through the framing members. As the old adage goes, the key to any good passive design is an active owner and these particular owners have done their homework on passive design. They actively manage the operable portions of the home (such as the insulated window coverings, wood stove, and windows) and have reported extremely low energy bills.

When Jason Dubin, owner of Ambition Custom Homes, was designing a new home for his family in Clarksburg, Maryland, he knew he wanted to incorporate an ActivWall Gas Strut Window into the build. Jason worked with the ActivWall sales team to order a 60″ wide by 54″ high Gas Strut Window custom finished in chestnut bronze to match the rest of the home’s windows. The energy-efficient unit is thermally broken aluminum with Argon-filled LowE glass and comes with a 10-year residential warranty.

Embrace the warmth of natural materials in the Cross Cabin. At the intersection of green design and comfort, this space promotes wellness and tranquility in everyday life. The warmth of natural materials such as Cross-Laminated Timber and Thermally Modified Cork make this home an oasis of sustainable luxury.

Entering the home through a floor-to-ceiling full light pivoting front door provides a sense of grandeur that continues through the home with immediate sightlines through the 16-foot wide sliding door at the opposite wall. The distinct black window frames provide a sleek modern aesthetic while providing European performance standards. The Glo A5h Series with double-pane glazing outperforms most North American triple pane windows due to high performance spacers, low iron glass, a larger continuous thermal break, and multiple air seals. By going double-pane the homeowners have been able to realize tremendous efficiency and cost effective durability while maintaining the clean architectural lines of the home design. The selection of our hidden sash option further cements the modern design by providing a seamless aesthetic on the exterior between fixed and operable windows.

This Negative edge pool and spa combination has a Negative Edge on two sides of the pool. Coping is Blue/Gray Bluestone with a thermal finish. Both pool and spa are finished with Forest Gray Slate tile and a French Gray Marbledust.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The gorgeous open gable roof design boasts custom contemporary craftsman trim and will allow light and air to enter the patio without overpowering the cool shade. The ceiling features a cedar tongue and groove finish, outfitted with electrical for recessed lighting and a ceiling fan for even more functionality. From the porch swing to the dining area, and the conversation area to the grilling space, this patio really achieves all these homeowners’ outdoor living needs in one cohesive space!

When Jason Dubin, owner of Ambition Custom Homes, was designing a new home for his family in Clarksburg, Maryland, he knew he wanted to incorporate an ActivWall Gas Strut Window into the build. Jason worked with the ActivWall sales team to order a 60″ wide by 54″ high Gas Strut Window custom finished in chestnut bronze to match the rest of the home’s windows. The energy-efficient unit is thermally broken aluminum with Argon-filled LowE glass and comes with a 10-year residential warranty.

When Jason Dubin, owner of Ambition Custom Homes, was designing a new home for his family in Clarksburg, Maryland, he knew he wanted to incorporate an ActivWall Gas Strut Window into the build. Jason worked with the ActivWall sales team to order a 60″ wide by 54″ high Gas Strut Window custom finished in chestnut bronze to match the rest of the home’s windows. The energy-efficient unit is thermally broken aluminum with Argon-filled LowE glass and comes with a 10-year residential warranty.