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.

We developed a design that fully met the desires of a spacious, airy, light filled home incorporating Universal Design features that blend seamlessly adding beauty to the Minimalist Scandinavian concept.

This bathroom has a beach theme going through it. Porcelain tile on the floor and white cabinetry make this space look luxurious and spa like! Photos by Preview First.

Jeffrey Erb

Bedroom - mid-sized mediterranean guest limestone floor bedroom idea in Houston with white walls and no fireplace

Tom Harper This home was a renovation of a traditional weekend log home into a modern full time retirement residence. This home was shy of storage, loaded with lots of wood (floors, walls and ceilings were all wood) and was dated and dull. We completely blew out the kitchen and all bathrooms and totally renovated the basement into a cozy entertainment space. The style ended up being "mountain modern" which was sensitive to the modern home style, but fresh with contemporary creature comforts and details.

Jerusalem Heights Carrera and black marble create a backdrop for timeless Waterworks fixtures, including a polished nickel mirror and cross-handle faucet. Gus Cantavero Photography

Inspiration for a farmhouse guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel with white walls

Curbless entry shower for Aging in Place client. Waterfall marble bench with frameless glass enclosure. Decorative grab bars for safety. Bordered marble tile floor flows seamlessly into the shower

Andy Warren Photography
Example of a large arts and crafts open concept living room design with gray walls

Photo by Sean Litchfield
Inspiration for a country master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Boston with blue walls

Don Shreve
Inspiration for a small transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile corner bathtub remodel with white walls

Photography: AudreyHall.com
Example of a small southwest master bedroom design with no fireplace

Example of a transitional freestanding bathtub design in Nashville with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets and raised-panel cabinets

Audrey Hall
Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor hallway remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls

Bedroom - mid-sized craftsman master bedroom idea in Minneapolis

Matthew Millman
Beach style 3/4 gray tile alcove shower photo in San Francisco with a console sink, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Example of a huge classic master white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom design in New York with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls and marble countertops