When full-time Massachusetts residents contemplate building a second home in Telluride, Colorado the question immediately arises; does it make most sense to hire a regionally based Rocky Mountain architect or a sea level architect conveniently located for all of the rigorous collaboration required for successful bespoke home design. Determined to prove the latter true, Siemasko + Verbridge accompanied the potential client as they scoured the undulating Telluride landscape in search of the perfect house site. The selected site’s harmonious balance of untouched meadow rising up to meet the edge of an aspen grove and the opposing 180 degree view of Wilson’s Range spoke to everyone. A plateau just beyond a fork in the meadow provided a natural flatland, requiring little excavation and yet the right amount of upland slope to capture the views. The intrinsic character of the site was only enriched by an elk trail and snake-rail fence. Establishing the expanse of Wilson’s range would be best served by rejecting the notion of selected views, the central sweeping curve of the roof inverts a small saddle in the range with which it is perfectly aligned. The soaring wave of custom windows and the open floor plan make the relatively modest house feel sizable despite its footprint of just under 2,000 square feet. Officially a two bedroom home, the bunk room and loft allow the home to comfortably sleep ten, encouraging large gatherings of family and friends. The home is completely off the grid in response to the unique and fragile qualities of the landscape. Great care was taken to respect the regions vernacular through the use of mostly native materials and a palette derived from the terrain found at 9,820 feet above sea level. Photographer: Gibeon Photography

View of custom fabricated steel patio cover with travertine floor. Photography: Brett J Hilton
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete paver patio remodel in San Diego

Example of a transitional exterior home design in Austin

Peter Murdock Photos
Beach style master bedroom photo in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

Blue Sunrise hardy geranium. Design by Mitch Evans Le jardinet
Photo of a landscaping in Seattle.

Bedroom - coastal carpeted bedroom idea in Santa Barbara with white walls and no fireplace

Daniel Shea
Mid-sized trendy medium tone wood floor great room photo in New York with white walls and no fireplace

The Coronado Mission Wall Light is an authentic handmade outdoor lighting fixture made in the USA from solid copper and brass based on period styles. Choice of finishes + glass, free shipping, custom options. Combine with a vintage Edison style bulb for a truly authentic vintage look. Photo: 2016 Mike Renneman / Lanternland

Urban kitchen photo in Raleigh

The DRT2000 Series offers excellent value without compromising on quality or design. These fireplaces offer an array of standard features, increased performance and state of the art technology to ensure many years of beauty and warmth. Features Available in 33”, 35”, 40” and 45” radiant smooth faced models Dedicated top or rear flue configuration (45” model is a combo top/rear) Millivolt (Remote-ready) or electronic ignition with battery backup Operates in the event of a power outage Random, dancing yellow flames Up to 65.5% AFUE Standard tempered glass Fireplace includes standard barrier that meets 2015 requirements Detailed ceramic fiber “aged oak” log set Black painted interior Durable textured powder coat finish Optional blower and remote controls available for all models 20 year limited warranty This fireplace meets all 2015 ANSI barrier requirements.

Trendy kitchen photo in Charlotte

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS The architect specified two butting/side by side 173.93 inch wide x 240.0 inch projection retractable canopy systems to be inserted in to a new steel frame structure. Each of the areas to be covered used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides specified are made entirely of aluminum which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Custom color chosen for the guides by the Architect was RAL 9006 known as White Aluminum. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components passed the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric is Ferrari 86 Color 2044 White, a fabric that is self-extinguishing (fire retardant). These retracting canopy systems has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 10 (up to 63 mph) with the fabric fully extended and in use. A grey hood with end caps was requested for each end to prevent rain water (location is Alexandria, Virginia) from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. A running profile which runs from end to end in the rear of each section was necessary to attach the Somfy RTS motor which is installed inside a motor safety box. The client chose to control the system with two remote controls, two white wall switches and two Somfy wind sensors. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Our original contact was from the architect who requested two retractable systems that would attach to a new steel structure and that would meet local wind load requirements since the units are installed on the top of the building known as Metro Park VI. The architect wanted a contemporary, modern and very clean appearance and a product that would also meet International Building Code Requirements. The purpose of the project was to provide an area for shade, heat, sun, glare and UV protection but not rain protection thus the use of Soltis 86 sheer mesh fabric. The client stated to the Architect that the area was to be used for entertainment purposes in good weather conditions. UNIQUENESS AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT This project was a challenge since the steel structure was being built at the same time (simultaneously) as the retractable patio cover systems were being manufactured to meet a deadline therefore there was no room for error. In addition, removing all the extrusions, fabric etc. from the crate and hoisting them to the top of the building was indeed difficult but accomplished. PROJECT RESULTS The client is elated with the results of both retractable canopy cover systems. Along with landscaping, the exterior top floor of the Metro Park VI building was transformed and is truly a stunning example of design, function and aesthetics as can be seen in the pictures. Goal accomplished – All customer requirements were met including a contemporary, modern, stylish and very clean appearance along with providing shade, sun, UV, glare and heat reduction.

Patio - transitional patio idea in Boston

Rosewood Custom Builders
Inspiration for a cottage light wood floor and gray floor kitchen remodel in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Kat Alves
Example of a minimalist home design design in Sacramento

ARCHITECTURE: Honor Award PROJECT: Uptown Lofts on Fifth CLIENT: ACTION-Housing, Inc. ARCHITECTURE FIRM: FortyEighty Architecture ENGINEERS: Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.; Keystone Structural Solutions; Iams Consulting, LLC CONTRACTORS: Mosites Construction Company PHOTOGRAPHER: FortyEighty Architecture DESCRIPTION: The Uptown Lofts on Fifth are two new multi-unit apartment buildings constructed on opposite sides of Fifth Avenue in Uptown, a neighborhood of Pittsburgh that suffers from steady population decline due to a lack of adequate housing. The developer for the project, ACTION-Housing, Inc., serves a mission to empower people to build secure and self-sufficient lives through decent, affordable housing, and has worked to demonstrate the importance of energy efficiency through various projects. This project was designed to allow for a comparison of the operational performance of the two buildings – one designed to meet Passive House standards and the other designed to meet the requirements of the current energy code. JURY COMMENTS: This is the project the jury discussed the most. Perhaps not best in any one category, this project achieved so much in so many categories. Architecture is about richness, layers of meanings, and social responsibility. This project surpassed others by doing so much in terms of being solidly designed in the context of its neighborhood, with aggressive sustainable goals, and all on a very tight budget. It is serving as a demonstration to the greater sustainable community with two test buildings from which to compare the ROI on a project designed to meet passive house standards versus a building meeting the current energy codes. Most importantly, this building brings a high level of dignity to an all too often overlooked user in a neglected part of town.

Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. Window boxes brimming with succulents lend a spot of color to the pool house's exterior. Jen chose a variety of perennial succulents for their hardiness and visual interest. "They have the texture and color that works perfectly in this area," she explains, "and they don't require a lot of maintenance." The boxes are made to be taken off in winter, when Ciacchi takes them inside and wraps them in burlap. Come spring, they are ready to go. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

Jason Schmidt
Inspiration for a contemporary drop-in bathtub remodel in New York with a wall-mount sink and white walls

Living room - contemporary living room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls