The Alyssa II a perfectly designed 2,764 sq ft split bedroom ranch complete with the amenities today’s buyers are looking for. The Alyssa II, with its craftsman flair features exceptional architectural detail including an arched covered porch, which is grounded with ledge stone columns, Shaker town cedar shakes and cedar truss details in the gables that accentuate the beauty of this exquisite design. A gracious entrance draws you into the center of the home where the 10’ high ceilings of the great room, kitchen, dinette and hearth room blend beautifully to create this open concept design. Panoramic views from the oversized windows will grasp your attention. The kitchen boasts an oversized working island with quartz counter tops and a curved soffit mimicking the island below, which features pendant lighting and an enlarged apron sink. Additional features include an abundance of white painted maple cabinetry, unique arches, glass/stone tile backsplash and a spacious walk-in pantry, all of which complete this gourmet kitchen. An impressive one of a kind fireplace with stone and wood including an impressive ceiling treatment seamlessly connects the great room to the hub of the home. The master retreat features expansive windows, a generously sized walk- in closet with closet organizers and a private pocket office. The luxurious master bath has a spa like feel walk-in ceramic tile shower, free standing soaking tub with unique oval ceiling treatment, dual his & her sinks with Kohler fixtures and private water closet. This home is complete with a flex room being shown as an office located off the foyer, conveniently located powder room, separate laundry room, mudroom with bench/hooks and walk in closet, a covered porch is located off the dinette, two spacious bedrooms with unique ceilings each sporting their own vanity along with a shared water closet and tub/shower. As in every Demlang Builders home, we are proud to announce that The Alyssa II is built to rigorous construction standards and is a Focus on Energy certified home. We are very proud of our low HERS ratings.

Renovisions received a request from these homeowners to remodel their existing master bath with the design goal: a spa-like environment featuring a large curb-less shower with multiple showerheads and a linear drain. Accessibility features include a hand-held showerhead mounted on a sliding bar with separate volume controls, a large bench seat in Blue Pearl granite and a decorative safety bar in a chrome finish. Multiple showerheads accommodated our clients ranging heights and requests for options including a more rigorous spray of water to a soft flow from a ceiling mounted rain showerhead. The various sprays provide a full luxury shower experience. The curb-less Schluter shower system incorporates a fully waterproof and vapor tight environment to ensure a beautiful, durable and functional tiled shower. In this particular shower, Renovisions furnished and installed an elegant low-profile linear floor drain with a sloped floor design to enable the use of the attractive large-format (17” x 17”) Carrera-look porcelain tiles. Coordinating Carrera-look porcelain tiles with a band of color and shower cubby in Blue Pearl granite tie in with the color of the tile seat and ledge. A custom frameless glass shower enclosure with sleek glass door handles showcases the beautiful tile design. Replacing the existing Corian acrylic countertops and integrated sinks with granite countertops in Blue Pearl and rectangular under mount porcelain sinks created a gorgeous, striking contrast to the white vanity cabinetry. The widespread faucets featuring crystal handles in a chrome finish, sconce lighting with crystal embellishments and crystal knobs were perfect choices to enhance the elegant look for the desired space. After a busy day at work, our clients come home and enjoy a renewed, more open sanctuary/spa-like master bath and relax in style.

This modern home with hints of classic design is situated on a hilltop estate in Pacific Palisades, California. Architect and Designer, Michelle Anaya, took on the challenge of renovating the home into the breathtaking residence that it is today. The home features Hallmark Floors: Engineered Hardwood Floors throughout most of the interior. The vision of the interior design was influenced by the outdoors. The home boasts a world-class view highlighted by large windows featuring some of the best sights in the country. Five rigorous years of planning, detailed designing, and extensive renovating resulted in a stunning outcome. “The color of the floor was the perfect selection to compliment the home’s natural landscape with the interior. I needed a floor that would compliment these natural colors… I didn’t want to compete with the sky, the greenery, and the ocean. The floors came out amazing!”

The Alyssa II a perfectly designed 2,764 sq ft split bedroom ranch complete with the amenities today’s buyers are looking for. The Alyssa II, with its craftsman flair features exceptional architectural detail including an arched covered porch, which is grounded with ledge stone columns, Shaker town cedar shakes and cedar truss details in the gables that accentuate the beauty of this exquisite design. A gracious entrance draws you into the center of the home where the 10’ high ceilings of the great room, kitchen, dinette and hearth room blend beautifully to create this open concept design. Panoramic views from the oversized windows will grasp your attention. The kitchen boasts an oversized working island with quartz counter tops and a curved soffit mimicking the island below, which features pendant lighting and an enlarged apron sink. Additional features include an abundance of white painted maple cabinetry, unique arches, glass/stone tile backsplash and a spacious walk-in pantry, all of which complete this gourmet kitchen. An impressive one of a kind fireplace with stone and wood including an impressive ceiling treatment seamlessly connects the great room to the hub of the home. The master retreat features expansive windows, a generously sized walk- in closet with closet organizers and a private pocket office. The luxurious master bath has a spa like feel walk-in ceramic tile shower, free standing soaking tub with unique oval ceiling treatment, dual his & her sinks with Kohler fixtures and private water closet. This home is complete with a flex room being shown as an office located off the foyer, conveniently located powder room, separate laundry room, mudroom with bench/hooks and walk in closet, a covered porch is located off the dinette, two spacious bedrooms with unique ceilings each sporting their own vanity along with a shared water closet and tub/shower. As in every Demlang Builders home, we are proud to announce that The Alyssa II is built to rigorous construction standards and is a Focus on Energy certified home. We are very proud of our low HERS ratings.

The Alyssa II a perfectly designed 2,764 sq ft split bedroom ranch complete with the amenities today’s buyers are looking for. The Alyssa II, with its craftsman flair features exceptional architectural detail including an arched covered porch, which is grounded with ledge stone columns, Shaker town cedar shakes and cedar truss details in the gables that accentuate the beauty of this exquisite design. A gracious entrance draws you into the center of the home where the 10’ high ceilings of the great room, kitchen, dinette and hearth room blend beautifully to create this open concept design. Panoramic views from the oversized windows will grasp your attention. The kitchen boasts an oversized working island with quartz counter tops and a curved soffit mimicking the island below, which features pendant lighting and an enlarged apron sink. Additional features include an abundance of white painted maple cabinetry, unique arches, glass/stone tile backsplash and a spacious walk-in pantry, all of which complete this gourmet kitchen. An impressive one of a kind fireplace with stone and wood including an impressive ceiling treatment seamlessly connects the great room to the hub of the home. The master retreat features expansive windows, a generously sized walk- in closet with closet organizers and a private pocket office. The luxurious master bath has a spa like feel walk-in ceramic tile shower, free standing soaking tub with unique oval ceiling treatment, dual his & her sinks with Kohler fixtures and private water closet. This home is complete with a flex room being shown as an office located off the foyer, conveniently located powder room, separate laundry room, mudroom with bench/hooks and walk in closet, a covered porch is located off the dinette, two spacious bedrooms with unique ceilings each sporting their own vanity along with a shared water closet and tub/shower. As in every Demlang Builders home, we are proud to announce that The Alyssa II is built to rigorous construction standards and is a Focus on Energy certified home. We are very proud of our low HERS ratings.

Designed by Hunter and Miranda Mantell-Hecathorn and built by the skilled MHB team, this stunning family home is a must see on the tour! Indicative of their high quality, this home has many features you won’t see in other homes on the tour. A few include: oversized Kolbe Triple-Pane windows; 12” thick, double-stud walls; a 6.5kW solar PV system; and is heated and cooled by only two small, highly efficient central units. The open floor plan was designed with entertaining and large family gatherings in mind. Whether seated in the living room with 12’ ceilings and massive windows with views of the Ponderosas or seated at the island in the kitchen you won’t be far from the action. The large covered back porch and beautiful back yard allows the kids to play while the adults relax by the fire pit. This home also utilizes a Control4 automation system, which allows the owners total control of lighting, audio, and comfort systems from anywhere. With a HERS score of 11, this home is 89% more efficient than the typical new home. Mantell-Hecathorn Builders has been building high quality homes since 1975 and is proud to be 100% committed to building their homes to the rigorous standards of Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready and Energy Star Programs, and have won national DOE awards for their innovative homes. Mantell-Hecathorn Builders also prides itself in being a true hands-on family-run company. They are personally on site daily to assure the MHB high standards are being met. Honesty, efficiency, transparency are a few qualities they strive for in every aspect of the business.

Renovisions received a request from these homeowners to remodel their existing master bath with the design goal: a spa-like environment featuring a large curb-less shower with multiple showerheads and a linear drain. Accessibility features include a hand-held showerhead mounted on a sliding bar with separate volume controls, a large bench seat in Blue Pearl granite and a decorative safety bar in a chrome finish. Multiple showerheads accommodated our clients ranging heights and requests for options including a more rigorous spray of water to a soft flow from a ceiling mounted rain showerhead. The various sprays provide a full luxury shower experience. The curb-less Schluter shower system incorporates a fully waterproof and vapor tight environment to ensure a beautiful, durable and functional tiled shower. In this particular shower, Renovisions furnished and installed an elegant low-profile linear floor drain with a sloped floor design to enable the use of the attractive large-format (17” x 17”) Carrera-look porcelain tiles. Coordinating Carrera-look porcelain tiles with a band of color and shower cubby in Blue Pearl granite tie in with the color of the tile seat and ledge. A custom frameless glass shower enclosure with sleek glass door handles showcases the beautiful tile design. Replacing the existing Corian acrylic countertops and integrated sinks with granite countertops in Blue Pearl and rectangular under mount porcelain sinks created a gorgeous, striking contrast to the white vanity cabinetry. The widespread faucets featuring crystal handles in a chrome finish, sconce lighting with crystal embellishments and crystal knobs were perfect choices to enhance the elegant look for the desired space. After a busy day at work, our clients come home and enjoy a renewed, more open sanctuary/spa-like master bath and relax in style.

The Alyssa II a perfectly designed 2,764 sq ft split bedroom ranch complete with the amenities today’s buyers are looking for. The Alyssa II, with its craftsman flair features exceptional architectural detail including an arched covered porch, which is grounded with ledge stone columns, Shaker town cedar shakes and cedar truss details in the gables that accentuate the beauty of this exquisite design. A gracious entrance draws you into the center of the home where the 10’ high ceilings of the great room, kitchen, dinette and hearth room blend beautifully to create this open concept design. Panoramic views from the oversized windows will grasp your attention. The kitchen boasts an oversized working island with quartz counter tops and a curved soffit mimicking the island below, which features pendant lighting and an enlarged apron sink. Additional features include an abundance of white painted maple cabinetry, unique arches, glass/stone tile backsplash and a spacious walk-in pantry, all of which complete this gourmet kitchen. An impressive one of a kind fireplace with stone and wood including an impressive ceiling treatment seamlessly connects the great room to the hub of the home. The master retreat features expansive windows, a generously sized walk- in closet with closet organizers and a private pocket office. The luxurious master bath has a spa like feel walk-in ceramic tile shower, free standing soaking tub with unique oval ceiling treatment, dual his & her sinks with Kohler fixtures and private water closet. This home is complete with a flex room being shown as an office located off the foyer, conveniently located powder room, separate laundry room, mudroom with bench/hooks and walk in closet, a covered porch is located off the dinette, two spacious bedrooms with unique ceilings each sporting their own vanity along with a shared water closet and tub/shower. As in every Demlang Builders home, we are proud to announce that The Alyssa II is built to rigorous construction standards and is a Focus on Energy certified home. We are very proud of our low HERS ratings.

The Alyssa II a perfectly designed 2,764 sq ft split bedroom ranch complete with the amenities today’s buyers are looking for. The Alyssa II, with its craftsman flair features exceptional architectural detail including an arched covered porch, which is grounded with ledge stone columns, Shaker town cedar shakes and cedar truss details in the gables that accentuate the beauty of this exquisite design. A gracious entrance draws you into the center of the home where the 10’ high ceilings of the great room, kitchen, dinette and hearth room blend beautifully to create this open concept design. Panoramic views from the oversized windows will grasp your attention. The kitchen boasts an oversized working island with quartz counter tops and a curved soffit mimicking the island below, which features pendant lighting and an enlarged apron sink. Additional features include an abundance of white painted maple cabinetry, unique arches, glass/stone tile backsplash and a spacious walk-in pantry, all of which complete this gourmet kitchen. An impressive one of a kind fireplace with stone and wood including an impressive ceiling treatment seamlessly connects the great room to the hub of the home. The master retreat features expansive windows, a generously sized walk- in closet with closet organizers and a private pocket office. The luxurious master bath has a spa like feel walk-in ceramic tile shower, free standing soaking tub with unique oval ceiling treatment, dual his & her sinks with Kohler fixtures and private water closet. This home is complete with a flex room being shown as an office located off the foyer, conveniently located powder room, separate laundry room, mudroom with bench/hooks and walk in closet, a covered porch is located off the dinette, two spacious bedrooms with unique ceilings each sporting their own vanity along with a shared water closet and tub/shower. As in every Demlang Builders home, we are proud to announce that The Alyssa II is built to rigorous construction standards and is a Focus on Energy certified home. We are very proud of our low HERS ratings.

A tiny 1906 earthquake relief home nestled at the end of a narrow alley on the western slope of Telegraph Hill had been lifted above a garage in the 1930’s then added onto in the 1950’s. Built on the foundations of a church destroyed in the earthquake, the original home had an awkward plan, low ceilings, dark spaces and a collection of odd and clumsy materials. Positioned in the center of the block, with distant views to Nob Hill this is a distinctly urban setting, yet the home is surrounded by its neighbor’s gardens. Directly behind the home stood one of the largest Japanese maple trees in Northern California. This beautiful tree and its preservation prompted the architect to incorporate it as the focal point around which the new home evolved. During the remodel the 1950’s addition was demolished, the remaining structure gutted and 400 additional square feet were added to create a dramatic new contemporary home of high ceilings and flowing spaces all filled with natural light. Carefully skewed geometry and a sleek palette of materials in sensuous colors compliment the drama of space and garden. In the shadow of the City’s historic landmark Coit Tower, this home is still a tiny wood sided bungalow from the street. The surprise hits immediately when one enters and an 18-foot high grid of windows embraces the Japanese Maple into the corner of the living room. The curving stairway wraps the bar, defining the kitchen and connects to an open bridge flying above to the secluded master bedroom. An arc of perforated steel off the master bedroom deck recalls the radiating forms inside, screening for privacy while filtering rays of sunlight. Radiating lines scored into the rose colored concrete further accentuate the rigorous geometry. Flush overlay birch cabinets are dyed purple for a continuing flow of color from the carpet. Black knobs, appliances, sink and laminate counters complete a composition, which starts with the black hex-crete concrete counter of the bar. Swirls ground into the aluminum facing of the bar wrap a sparkle into the foot of the stair. Sculpted walls shape the space and form niches, each washed with light from geometric fixtures, all linked by the rhythm of the steel cable rails. Smooth exterior grade plywood siding stained gray and turquoise provides crisp form on the exterior, at once in scale with the neighborhood, while denying scale altogether.

The Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU was designed and built to remain resilient in the face of natural disasters. Fortunately, the same great building strategies and design that provide resilience also provide a home that is incredibly comfortable and healthy while also visually stunning. This home’s journey began with a desire to design and build a house that meets the rigorous standards of Passive House. Before beginning the design/ construction process, the homeowners had already spent countless hours researching ways to minimize their global climate change footprint. As with any Passive House, a large portion of this research was focused on building envelope design and construction. The wall assembly is combination of six inch Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) and 2x6 stick frame construction filled with blown in insulation. The roof assembly is a combination of twelve inch SIPs and 2x12 stick frame construction filled with batt insulation. The pairing of SIPs and traditional stick framing allowed for easy air sealing details and a continuous thermal break between the panels and the wall framing. Beyond the building envelope, a number of other high performance strategies were used in constructing this home and ADU such as: battery storage of solar energy, ground source heat pump technology, Heat Recovery Ventilation, LED lighting, and heat pump water heating technology. In addition to the time and energy spent on reaching Passivhaus Standards, thoughtful design and carefully chosen interior finishes coalesce at the Twin Peaks Passive House + ADU into stunning interiors with modern farmhouse appeal. The result is a graceful combination of innovation, durability, and aesthetics that will last for a century to come. Despite the requirements of adhering to some of the most rigorous environmental standards in construction today, the homeowners chose to certify both their main home and their ADU to Passive House Standards. From a meticulously designed building envelope that tested at 0.62 ACH50, to the extensive solar array/ battery bank combination that allows designated circuits to function, uninterrupted for at least 48 hours, the Twin Peaks Passive House has a long list of high performance features that contributed to the completion of this arduous certification process. The ADU was also designed and built with these high standards in mind. Both homes have the same wall and roof assembly ,an HRV, and a Passive House Certified window and doors package. While the main home includes a ground source heat pump that warms both the radiant floors and domestic hot water tank, the more compact ADU is heated with a mini-split ductless heat pump. The end result is a home and ADU built to last, both of which are a testament to owners’ commitment to lessen their impact on the environment.

A tiny 1906 earthquake relief home nestled at the end of a narrow alley on the western slope of Telegraph Hill had been lifted above a garage in the 1930’s then added onto in the 1950’s. Built on the foundations of a church destroyed in the earthquake, the original home had an awkward plan, low ceilings, dark spaces and a collection of odd and clumsy materials. Positioned in the center of the block, with distant views to Nob Hill this is a distinctly urban setting, yet the home is surrounded by its neighbor’s gardens. Directly behind the home stood one of the largest Japanese maple trees in Northern California. This beautiful tree and its preservation prompted the architect to incorporate it as the focal point around which the new home evolved. During the remodel the 1950’s addition was demolished, the remaining structure gutted and 400 additional square feet were added to create a dramatic new contemporary home of high ceilings and flowing spaces all filled with natural light. Carefully skewed geometry and a sleek palette of materials in sensuous colors compliment the drama of space and garden. In the shadow of the City’s historic landmark Coit Tower, this home is still a tiny wood sided bungalow from the street. The surprise hits immediately when one enters and an 18-foot high grid of windows embraces the Japanese Maple into the corner of the living room. The curving stairway wraps the bar, defining the kitchen and connects to an open bridge flying above to the secluded master bedroom. An arc of perforated steel off the master bedroom deck recalls the radiating forms inside, screening for privacy while filtering rays of sunlight. Radiating lines scored into the rose colored concrete further accentuate the rigorous geometry. Flush overlay birch cabinets are dyed purple for a continuing flow of color from the carpet. Black knobs, appliances, sink and laminate counters complete a composition, which starts with the black hex-crete concrete counter of the bar. Swirls ground into the aluminum facing of the bar wrap a sparkle into the foot of the stair. Sculpted walls shape the space and form niches, each washed with light from geometric fixtures, all linked by the rhythm of the steel cable rails. Smooth exterior grade plywood siding stained gray and turquoise provides crisp form on the exterior, at once in scale with the neighborhood, while denying scale altogether.

Tony Colangelo
Bedroom - craftsman bedroom idea in Vancouver

DHM Remodeling
Basement - contemporary basement idea in Indianapolis

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly.

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly.

This hillside home in Piedmont, CA was remodeled to change the style from a 1940's rancher with eight foot ceilings and dark interiors, into a modern geometric composition with vast white interiors for casual living and generous daylighting for displaying the artist-owner's works. In a city known for rigorous and difficult design review, an addition, two variances, and a full stylistic change were unanimously approved on the first round. All sloped roofs and attics were eliminated and replaced by a series of stacked and overlapping flat roofs. This made the house taller on the inside and shorter on the outside, which helped earn design review cooperation in the community. Windows were concentrated toward the rear yard views or moved up high on the side walls for daylight and privacy, benefitting the owners as well as the neighbors. At the start, the owner husband was so enthusiastic and engaged in transforming his house into something modern that he presented the architect with a scaled foamcore model, rather than the usual magazine clippings and wish list. He participated in the design decisions throughout the process. The owner wife is the artist who did all the artwork in the house. She had been craving a display space with large walls and good natural light. Both of them loved the location and great views. The project was an opportunity to transform the style of an older traditional home into a modern one, while solving numerous problems. By rebuilding the 1800 ft2 top of the 3-story home it was possible to change the style of the whole building, since the lower floors were a neutral base, and also to change the lifestyle of the owners, who wanted to move their master suite upstairs and live primarily on the top floor as empty nesters. Going into the project, the architect knew there were multiple encroachments into the setbacks and potential privacy issues with close by neighbors. He approached this as a complex puzzle made up of architectural and political pieces which all had to fit together elegantly. It took many careful moves, small and large, to arrive at a serene and cohesive result that tied old and new together seamlessly. The design-build contractor worked closely with the owners and handled all of the construction phase documents and design adjustments, adding ideas of their own to make the project really sing. The project was a collaboration in three acts. The owner had a strong design concept from the start. The architect developed it into a realistic project and garnered the design approvals. Then the contractor executed brilliantly