Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

The interior of the home went from Colonial to Classic Lodge without changing the footprint of the home. Columns were removed, fur downs removed that defined space, fireplace relocated, kitchen layout and direction changed, breakfast room and sitting room flip flopped, study reduced in size, entry to master bedroom changed, master suite completely re-arranged and enlarged, custom hand railing designed to open up stairwell, hardwood added to stairs, solid knotty alder 8’ doors added, knotty alder crown moldings added, reclaimed beamed ceiling grid, tongue and groove ceiling in kitchen, knotty alder cabinetry, leather finish to granite, seeded glass insets, custom door to panty to showcase an antique stained glass window from childhood church, custom doors and handles made for study entry, shredded straw added to wall texture, custom glazing done to all walls, wood floor remnants created an antique quilt pattern for the back wall of the powder bath, custom wall treatment created by designer, and a mixture of new and antique furnishing were added, all to create a warm, yet lived in feeling for this special family. A new central stone wall reversed with an over scaled fireplace and reclaimed flooring from the East became the anchor for this level of the home. Removing all the “divisions” of space and using a unified surface made unused rooms, part of the daily living for this family. The desire to entertain large group in a unified space, yet still feel like you are in a cozy environment was the driving force for removing divisions of space. Photos by Randy Colwell

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

Formerly a very divided bathroom, our goal was to open the space up allowing the natural light from the window to pass through the entire bathroom while still providing privacy. We worked to creatively incorporate additional storage and to close off the toilet into a private closet. The homeowners were very interested in a Japanese soaking tub and maintaining a very clean and modern space to relax after working heavily in color and pattern with their work. We created a taller showering space by moving the plumbing into the floor. We used a floor length linear drain to allow for the large format tiles throughout reducing grout lines. All beams were original to the space and were important to keep visible for cohesiveness throughout the home. They really bring an element of warmth and a touch of rustic to an otherwise very modern space. With thoughtful modern finishes and a neutral color palette, we were able to create a space that is relaxing for the mind and body.

Originally built in 1972, these eight interlocked residential units and the accompanying House Master’s Residence won an AIA award for their unique spatial complexity, balancing standard units of construction with volumetric interplay, all while bringing natural light into living spaces. However, nearly 40 years later These 1970’s era, interlocked faculty housing units won an AIA award when first completed. They were unique in spatial complexity, By early 2,000’s they were showing signs of age, and had become outdated on many levels. Working with project management for the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, we prepared one prototype design to bring the buildings into the 21st century. New insulated skylights, standing seam metal siding, cedar decks and trellises, exchanging black roofs for well insulated white roofs, were all part of a larger planning program to renovate all nine units. The prototype was implemented in 2012, to great approval and result. In 2013 a few more units were done. In 2014 the “House Masters” unit was done, with the remaining four units planned for future budgets. Sustainable features include re-use of most materials on site, (former siding was able to become sheathing below metal panels), implementing the Stretch Energy Code for insulation, and putting new white roof membranes in place. Using FSC certified wood for decks and trellises, and using Rheinzink siding, a “200 year material” according to the manufacturer. After nearly 40 years, Ronald Gourley’s AIA award winning Faculty Housing (1972) was beginning to show its age – plywood siding was delaminating, wooden decks splintering, and custom windows failing. Therefore, the opportunity to reinvent a piece of Mid-Century Modernism presented itself when two of the building’s eight alternating rooftop designs were to be rebuilt as prototypes for the remainder of the structure. The strength of the original design was its rectilinear and symmetrical arrangement of internal and external spaces, but the difference between the two had become blurred over the decades. New zinc siding, mahogany decking, and stainless steel railings accentuate the defining elements and more clearly articulate the living spaces, breathing new life into the building and reinvigorating the surrounding campus. Furthermore, the renovation also provided a chance to bring the structure up to modern energy standards and help meet Harvard’s lofty environmental goals. Insulation within the ceilings was more than tripled, white TPO roofing reduces the heat island effect, construction waste was minimized by recasting the siding as sheathing, and materials were selected not only for aesthetics, but for their longevity and ability to be recycled as well. Harvard’s energy standards brought an uncharacteristic level of environmental care to this building. Roof structures are triple insulated, allowing separating interior from exterior in the most thermally efficient manner. North facing triple insulated skylights and white TPO roofing reduces the heat gain, but allows natural light to pour in. Materials were selected not only for aesthetics, but for their longevity. Zinc, for example, is made of 100% recycled material, and has duration of 200 years. Uncharacteristic levels of environmental care were common on this project.

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

Formerly a very divided bathroom, our goal was to open the space up allowing the natural light from the window to pass through the entire bathroom while still providing privacy. We worked to creatively incorporate additional storage and to close off the toilet into a private closet. The homeowners were very interested in a Japanese soaking tub and maintaining a very clean and modern space to relax after working heavily in color and pattern with their work. We created a taller showering space by moving the plumbing into the floor. We used a floor length linear drain to allow for the large format tiles throughout reducing grout lines. All beams were original to the space and were important to keep visible for cohesiveness throughout the home. They really bring an element of warmth and a touch of rustic to an otherwise very modern space. With thoughtful modern finishes and a neutral color palette, we were able to create a space that is relaxing for the mind and body.

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

This closet project cleaned up a tight (but lengthy) closet space with gorgeous new cabinetry and maximized organization. The original space is housed inside of a true log home (same house as the gorgeous Evergreen Kitchen remodel we completed last year) and so the same challenges were present. Moreso than the kitchen, dealing with the logs was very difficult. The original closet had shelves and storage pieces attached to the logs, but over time the logs shifted and expanded, causing these shelving units to detach and break. Our plan for the new closet was to construct an independent framing structure to which the new cabinetry could be attached, preventing shifting and breaking over time. This reduced the overall depth of the clear closet space, but allowed for a multitude of gorgeous cabinet boxes to be integrated into the space where there was never true storage before. We shifted the depths of each cabinet moving down through the space to allow for as much walkable space as possible while still providing storage. With a mix of drawers, hanging bars, roll out trays, and open shelving, this closet is a true beauty with lots of storage opportunity!

Blau-Thompson Residence This Civil War era, 1680-square-foot three-story row house is located in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia. The BluPath Design principals and their young child were the clients. The project goal was to upgrade a traditional housing type to meet a contemporary lifestyle, applying both sustainable criteria and clean, modern yet sensual aesthetics. The challenge of the property (only 830 square feet in lot size) was to create a design that was small, but smart. The structure formerly housed a luncheonette with two apartments above. The interior was gutted and renovated into a single family home. The construction of a small rear addition added a new kitchen on the first floor and new bathrooms on the second and third levels. The east-west orientation of the home was ideal for the roof-mounted solar collectors, which were installed to provide domestic hot water and supplement the new radiant floor heating system. Exterior sensors improve the efficiency of the heating system's response to fluctuations in outside temperature. A new white-coated, rubber membrane roof reduced the structure's heat gain by 20 percent. A water catch system collects rainwater and air conditioner condensation to water the home's small rear garden. Large windows and skylights bring light deep into the row house and reduce the use of light fixtures. The rear yard garden features ipe decking (a dense, water-repellent hardwood) on permeable compacted gravel to minimize storm water runoff. BluPath Design’s principals used the project to demonstrate how sustainability can be integrated with beauty and function, with sensual materials and colors, well-proportioned and light-filled rooms, economic use of space, and thoughtful details. Cherry flooring and custom stairs complement the Indian slate tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen features custom walnut cabinets with blue granite counters and backsplashes. The first floor dining area is illuminated by a BluPath-designed fiber-optic chandelier. Ipe hardwood is also used for the master bath tub-surround and shower floor. Sliding frosted glass panels separating the master bath from other living areas allows light from the corner windows to naturally illuminate the adjacent room. Awards Honorable Mention for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency IIDA Philadelphia City Center Chapter 3rd Annual Interior Design Awards, June 2007 Bronze 2006 Commonwealth Design Award 10,000 Friends of PA, May 2006 Media HGTV ‘What You Get for the Money’ February 2007 Philadelphia Style Magazine March/April 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer June 11, 2006 Philadelphia CityPaper September 25-October 2, 2003 Photography by Barry Halkin