The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

This vanity cabinet was designed around these homeowners' specific needs. Pull-out storage hidden behind columns on either end provide ample space for toiletries. Each sink front tilts out for additional storage. The center tower includes two velvet-lined jewelry drawers. The cabinet is adorned with Edgar Berebi bejeweled hardware. Built from clear maple, as a high-end piece of furniture in the Euro cabinet shop, the cabinet was finished in the fine furniture finish, the "Euro Grand," a 13-step water-based finish, low VOC product, with a water-born conversion varnish sealer. A Talisma 3cm granite is the countertop surface and the backsplash includes the hand-carved tiles from Argentina. Photo by Ken Vaughn - Designed by Melinda Dzinic CR, CKBR, UDCP

This is the dining area. It is part of the great room. The kitchen is behind to the left and the living room is behind to the right. The windows are Pella. The floor is river recovered heart pine. Photograhpy by James Borchuck

“Fun, and sustainable with good energy flow” were the requirements set by our client at our first meeting. As a Feng Shui consultant, our client requested that her new kitchen encourage good “Chi”. Since the original kitchen was shut off from the entire home, and was dark all year long, we decided that opening the kitchen to the public space was the first order of business. This incorporated more natural day lighting, to minimize the amount of artificial light being used during the day. The door to the dining room was relocated and part of the adjoining wall was removed. Due to financial restrictions (to keep the kitchen below $75,000), we decided to retain a post at the intersection of the removed walls. Eventually, a custom buffet cabinet will be installed in the opening. To achieve the sustainable goal of the client – the following materials were selected: 1. Health and Wellness: a. Low-Voc Paint – Rodda Horizon paint b. Cabinets: Neil Kelly Signature cabinets – Low VOC Finish, no Urea-Formaldehyde agri-board construction. c. Flooring – marmoleum – natural product and the continuous oxidation of the linseed oil creates an anti-microbial surface d. Feng Shui – during construction, prior to sheetrock, the client added elements for each of the Bagua to create harmony and unity within the home. e. All construction adhesives are Green Seal Certified f. Water Purifier at sink for hot and cold water 2. Energy conservation: a. Recessed Cans – CFL lamps with Alzak Trims b. Dimmers were installed to control the amount of lighting needed to control energy usage c. Hot Water Dispenser – minimizes energy use in heating water for tea 3. Material Conservation: a. Laminate countertops: Laminart – 40% post consumer waste and banana leaves are incorporated to create a texture to the surface b. FSC Certified Maple countertops on island and to right of range c. Oceanside Glass – 40% recycled content 4. Water Conservation a. Kitchenaid – Energystar-rated DW Among the client’s requests were an island, message center and pantry. Although the kitchen is small (only 145 sq ft), this diminutive space packs a real punch!! Included in the island are recycling/composting, cook book storage and a “perching” place for guests to hang out in the kitchen. The message center/pantry houses a microwave, a push pin board and a regenerating station for small personal electronics.

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

“Fun, and sustainable with good energy flow” were the requirements set by our client at our first meeting. As a Feng Shui consultant, our client requested that her new kitchen encourage good “Chi”. Since the original kitchen was shut off from the entire home, and was dark all year long, we decided that opening the kitchen to the public space was the first order of business. This incorporated more natural day lighting, to minimize the amount of artificial light being used during the day. The door to the dining room was relocated and part of the adjoining wall was removed. Due to financial restrictions (to keep the kitchen below $75,000), we decided to retain a post at the intersection of the removed walls. Eventually, a custom buffet cabinet will be installed in the opening. To achieve the sustainable goal of the client – the following materials were selected: 1. Health and Wellness: a. Low-Voc Paint – Rodda Horizon paint b. Cabinets: Neil Kelly Signature cabinets – Low VOC Finish, no Urea-Formaldehyde agri-board construction. c. Flooring – marmoleum – natural product and the continuous oxidation of the linseed oil creates an anti-microbial surface d. Feng Shui – during construction, prior to sheetrock, the client added elements for each of the Bagua to create harmony and unity within the home. e. All construction adhesives are Green Seal Certified f. Water Purifier at sink for hot and cold water 2. Energy conservation: a. Recessed Cans – CFL lamps with Alzak Trims b. Dimmers were installed to control the amount of lighting needed to control energy usage c. Hot Water Dispenser – minimizes energy use in heating water for tea 3. Material Conservation: a. Laminate countertops: Laminart – 40% post consumer waste and banana leaves are incorporated to create a texture to the surface b. FSC Certified Maple countertops on island and to right of range c. Oceanside Glass – 40% recycled content 4. Water Conservation a. Kitchenaid – Energystar-rated DW Among the client’s requests were an island, message center and pantry. Although the kitchen is small (only 145 sq ft), this diminutive space packs a real punch!! Included in the island are recycling/composting, cook book storage and a “perching” place for guests to hang out in the kitchen. The message center/pantry houses a microwave, a push pin board and a regenerating station for small personal electronics.

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

Photos by Alan K. Barley, AIA Warm wood surfaces combined with the rock fireplace surround give this screened porch an organic treehouse feel. Screened In Porch, View, Sleeping Porch, Fireplace, Patio, wood floor, outdoor spaces, Austin, Texas Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture, BarleyPfeiffer, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, pro work, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, barley & Pfeiffer architects, natural lighting, AustinTX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, Screened-In porch, Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, natural lighting, Austin TX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, curb appeal, LEED, AIA,

Stylish brewery owners with airline miles that match George Clooney’s decided to hire Regan Baker Design to transform their beloved Duboce Park second home into an organic modern oasis reflecting their modern aesthetic and sustainable, green conscience lifestyle. From hops to floors, we worked extensively with our design savvy clients to provide a new footprint for their kitchen, dining and living room area, redesigned three bathrooms, reconfigured and designed the master suite, and replaced an existing spiral staircase with a new modern, steel staircase. We collaborated with an architect to expedite the permit process, as well as hired a structural engineer to help with the new loads from removing the stairs and load bearing walls in the kitchen and Master bedroom. We also used LED light fixtures, FSC certified cabinetry and low VOC paint finishes. Regan Baker Design was responsible for the overall schematics, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, as well as the selection and procurement of all fixtures, cabinets, equipment, furniture,and accessories. Key Contributors: Green Home Construction; Photography: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co.

Photos by Alan K. Barley, AIA Walk-in pantry, pantry with window, window, wood floor, screened in porch, Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture (Best of Houzz 2015 for Design) , BarleyPfeiffer, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, pro work, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, barley & Pfeiffer architects, natural lighting, AustinTX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, Screened-In porch, Austin luxury home, Austin custom home, BarleyPfeiffer Architecture, wood floors, sustainable design, sleek design, modern, low voc paint, interiors and consulting, house ideas, home planning, 5 star energy, high performance, green building, fun design, 5 star appliance, find a pro, family home, elegance, efficient, custom-made, comprehensive sustainable architects, natural lighting, Austin TX, Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, professional services, green design, curb appeal, LEED, AIA, Featured in September 12th, 2014's Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/articles/the-rise-of-the-super-pantry-1410449896

The site for this new house was specifically selected for its proximity to nature while remaining connected to the urban amenities of Arlington and DC. From the beginning, the homeowners were mindful of the environmental impact of this house, so the goal was to get the project LEED certified. Even though the owner’s programmatic needs ultimately grew the house to almost 8,000 square feet, the design team was able to obtain LEED Silver for the project. The first floor houses the public spaces of the program: living, dining, kitchen, family room, power room, library, mudroom and screened porch. The second and third floors contain the master suite, four bedrooms, office, three bathrooms and laundry. The entire basement is dedicated to recreational spaces which include a billiard room, craft room, exercise room, media room and a wine cellar. To minimize the mass of the house, the architects designed low bearing roofs to reduce the height from above, while bringing the ground plain up by specifying local Carder Rock stone for the foundation walls. The landscape around the house further anchored the house by installing retaining walls using the same stone as the foundation. The remaining areas on the property were heavily landscaped with climate appropriate vegetation, retaining walls, and minimal turf. Other LEED elements include LED lighting, geothermal heating system, heat-pump water heater, FSA certified woods, low VOC paints and high R-value insulation and windows. Hoachlander Davis Photography

Nestled into the hills of Portola Valley, California the structures open space carefully defines and details outdoor rooms and interior space. While this form naturally echoes its landscape and beauty it was able to maintain and score Gold in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The Windy Hill Heaven residents incorporated sustainable aspects such as: STRUCTURE // Passive-solar design, spray foam insulation, structurally insulated panel called (SIPs), and high efficiency low e windows ELECTRICITY // Photovoltaic solar-panel array tied to the grid allowing this home to be net zero, Energy Star appliances, and energy efficient fans and lighting HEATING AND COOLING // In-floor radiant hot-water and a highly efficient fireplace SUSTAINABLE FEATURE // Native landscaping locally sourced building materials, low-VOC materials, paint and sealers. In all making this a very ECO-logically designed home

This 125 square foot master bathroom oasis is situated in a (atomic) ranch-style house in Encino hills. The owners love art, design and the sleek modern aesthetic of mid-century architecture and design and wanted to incorporate this into their first construction project in their new home. The first challenge was to fit a somewhat ambitious program while maintaining a sense of spaciousness and light. The new layout placed a generous glass-enclosed shower in one end and a free standing tub in the other. The linear wall-hung walnut cabinet stretches between the two offering plenty of storage space to minimize clutter. Some environmental features include low VOC paints, stains and sealants; recycled content materials; water-conserving plumbing fixtures; motion sensor controlled lighting with ample daylighting; Energy Star ventilation fans; a repurposed mirror and refurbished window and skylight components. Photo Credit: Raphye Alexius

The site for this new house was specifically selected for its proximity to nature while remaining connected to the urban amenities of Arlington and DC. From the beginning, the homeowners were mindful of the environmental impact of this house, so the goal was to get the project LEED certified. Even though the owner’s programmatic needs ultimately grew the house to almost 8,000 square feet, the design team was able to obtain LEED Silver for the project. The first floor houses the public spaces of the program: living, dining, kitchen, family room, power room, library, mudroom and screened porch. The second and third floors contain the master suite, four bedrooms, office, three bathrooms and laundry. The entire basement is dedicated to recreational spaces which include a billiard room, craft room, exercise room, media room and a wine cellar. To minimize the mass of the house, the architects designed low bearing roofs to reduce the height from above, while bringing the ground plain up by specifying local Carder Rock stone for the foundation walls. The landscape around the house further anchored the house by installing retaining walls using the same stone as the foundation. The remaining areas on the property were heavily landscaped with climate appropriate vegetation, retaining walls, and minimal turf. Other LEED elements include LED lighting, geothermal heating system, heat-pump water heater, FSA certified woods, low VOC paints and high R-value insulation and windows. Hoachlander Davis Photography

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

One of the hallmarks of Prairie style architecture is the integration of a home into the surrounding environment. So it is only fitting for a modern Prairie-inspired home to honor its environment through the use of sustainable materials and energy efficient systems to conserve and protect the earth on which it stands. This modern adaptation of a Prairie home in Bloomfield Hills completed in 2015 uses environmentally friendly materials and systems. Geothermal energy provides the home with a clean and sustainable source of power for the heating and cooling mechanisms, and maximizes efficiency, saving on gas and electric heating and cooling costs all year long. High R value foam insulation contributes to the energy saving and year round temperature control for superior comfort indoors. LED lighting illuminates the rooms, both in traditional light fixtures as well as in lighted shelving, display niches, and ceiling applications. Low VOC paint was used throughout the home in order to maintain the purest possible air quality for years to come. The homeowners will enjoy their beautiful home even more knowing it respects the land, because as Thoreau said, “What is the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?”