Transitional exterior home idea in Denver

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Spaces and Faces Photography

Mark Woods
Mid-sized transitional gray two-story wood gable roof idea in Seattle with a shingle roof

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Charles Davis Smith

Bathroom - farmhouse bathroom idea in Nashville

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Charles Davis Smith

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Charles Davis Smith

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Charles Davis Smith

The orchid conservatory, a four walled trellis structure, was built as a zen mediation space for the owner who has a great passion for orchids. The orchid conservatory is a beautiful structure that features four walls of trellises to display orchids, an outdoor shower, lovely seating area, gates on both sides, and a relaxing bronze Cupid fountain that can be heard from the bathtub in the master bath. With ample space, orchids can be planted in floor pots, or hung from the substantial lattice structures with oval portholes. The space steps down into a beautiful courtyard in the front of the home enhancing it calming effect. Fragrant flowering Plumeria trees nestle the structure tightly providing a stunning backdrop of color, so indicative of the tropics. The subtle sound of the fountain completes the bath for your senses.

For a family putting down lasting roots in Park City, this 10,000-square-foot estate within the gated enclave of Quarry Mountain Ranch is conceived as both sanctuary and legacy. Designed to evolve alongside its owners, the home balances permanence with a deep sensitivity to the land it inhabits. Thoughtfully positioned within an alpine meadow shaped by the gentle flow of McLeod Creek, the residence embraces its setting. The waterway threads through the property, sustaining native grasses and drawing elk, deer, and migratory birdlife, grounding daily life in the rhythms of season and landscape. Broad planes of glass and sheltering rooflines frame uninterrupted views of ski slopes and distant ridgelines, while long sightlines pull natural light deep into the interior. Terraces and covered outdoor rooms mediate between house and meadow, creating spaces for gathering, reflection, and year-round connection to the outdoors. A restrained palette of wood and stone echoes the textures of the terrain, lending warmth and durability to the home’s contemporary expression. A separate guest house extends the architectural language, forming a discreet compound that supports family life, hospitality, and the enduring cadence of alpine living. Architecture: Advanced Design Interior Design: Erin Brewer Design

For a family putting down lasting roots in Park City, this 10,000-square-foot estate within the gated enclave of Quarry Mountain Ranch is conceived as both sanctuary and legacy. Designed to evolve alongside its owners, the home balances permanence with a deep sensitivity to the land it inhabits. Thoughtfully positioned within an alpine meadow shaped by the gentle flow of McLeod Creek, the residence embraces its setting. The waterway threads through the property, sustaining native grasses and drawing elk, deer, and migratory birdlife, grounding daily life in the rhythms of season and landscape. Broad planes of glass and sheltering rooflines frame uninterrupted views of ski slopes and distant ridgelines, while long sightlines pull natural light deep into the interior. Terraces and covered outdoor rooms mediate between house and meadow, creating spaces for gathering, reflection, and year-round connection to the outdoors. A restrained palette of wood and stone echoes the textures of the terrain, lending warmth and durability to the home’s contemporary expression. A separate guest house extends the architectural language, forming a discreet compound that supports family life, hospitality, and the enduring cadence of alpine living. Architecture: Advanced Design Interior Design: Erin Brewer Design

Sunset is a magnificent time to mediate on the illusions created by the reflecting pond’s placid water. The water mirrors its surroundings so perfectly, it can be a challenge to tell the real sky, ocean, and landscape from their reflections. www.deckandpatio.com

To create privacy and a shade garden sanctuary we used river stone stepping stones, moss rock and ferns. The raised planting bed and boulders to sit and mediate on are surrounded by Japanese maples, tree ferns and fragrant shrubs. This shade garden is magical.

This home was thoroughly reimagined – architecturally, throughout the interiors, site, and gardens. The vintage bones of the home were enhanced by the design team while every aspect of contemporary living was accommodated – including a yard for two beloved family dogs. The collaboration between client, architect, interior designer, landscape architect and construction team is celebrated in the result. A composed garden space was formed around a spectacular Cork Oak. This tree was brought in to mediate the view of the neighboring Temple Emanu-El. Additional mature plantings, citrus trees, flowers, and a softly burbling fountain contribute to the comfort of the flowing space. The drive court melds into the garden space with stairway access to an expansive terrace above. From this terrace, views of the garden, fountain, greenery, and Temple are enjoyed – with soft lighting extending enjoyment into the evening.

In this project the home owner was a furniture importer, so she had an amazing array of decorative elements to add to the design. After spending years traveling through Indonesia and India on buying trips, she wanted a taste of the tropics in her own back yard. We worked together to incorporate her beautiful objects into an undeniably tropical-feeling space. By carefully selecting plants and their placement, we were able to achieve the lush green feel of Bali or Hawaii in the Southern California climate without using a lot of water. After installation, this oasis is alive with birds and dragonflies. Lush green plantings create microclimates around the house that help cool the property on hot days. Integrating edible trees provides the homeowner with pomegranates, several types of guavas, lemons, limes, and bananas. Today, the homeowner rents out her home and garden for photo shoots and weddings.

Zury Martinez

A modern single-family house is located in the northern downtown neighborhood of Palo Alto, a vibrant area surrounded by single-family homes. It was designed with an innovative, modular structural system and sustainable design principles. This residential building not only performs its basic tasks in terms of functional performance, physical comfort, and aesthetic values but it also acts as a mental mediation between space and our mind. The perception of the space created is not a sum of the visual, tactile, and audible elements but in unique way speaks to all your senses at once, creating experience of completeness. photo by Drew Kelly

Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Toronto.

The whitewashed brick addition is punched with vibrant yellow windows and doors. A pergola over the raised deck helps mediate the transition between inside and out, creating an in-between zone with shaded views over the yard and pool.