doug scaletta
Transitional dining room photo in Orlando with white walls

Photo: Brent Moss Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary light wood floor and beige floor powder room remodel in Denver with white walls and a wall-mount sink

Minimalist entryway photo in San Francisco

Their tiny kitchen benefits from a newly open living and dining area.
Small trendy u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This contemporary house utilised large areas of sliding glass to enable natural light to flood the internal space. The architecturally designed property is partially submerged below the ground, to create a building that is sensitive to the surrounding countryside. By combining shaped, fixed and sliding minimal windows panes the architect was able to create an entire wall of glass to the ground floor level.

This contemporary house utilised large areas of sliding glass to enable natural light to flood the internal space. The architecturally designed property is partially submerged below the ground, to create a building that is sensitive to the surrounding countryside. By combining shaped, fixed and sliding minimal windows panes the architect was able to create an entire wall of glass to the ground floor level.

Contemporary House with Ultra Slim Sliding Glass Doors on the ground floor and first floor bedrooms. When these large sliding glass doors are open they give the owner a large open aperture and seamless transition to their outdoor living space.

This contemporary house utilised large areas of sliding glass to enable natural light to flood the internal space. The architecturally designed property is partially submerged below the ground, to create a building that is sensitive to the surrounding countryside. By combining shaped, fixed and sliding minimal windows panes the architect was able to create an entire wall of glass to the ground floor level.

This contemporary house utilised large areas of sliding glass to enable natural light to flood the internal space. The architecturally designed property is partially submerged below the ground, to create a building that is sensitive to the surrounding countryside. By combining shaped, fixed and sliding minimal windows panes the architect was able to create an entire wall of glass to the ground floor level.

Volumes have triple-glazed window walls and utilize the beveled detail of their tubular geometry to create an overhang, which minimizes solar gain in the summer and maximize solar gain in the winter. The angle of the bevel is calibrated to mediate solar gain on all full-glass facades and creates a minimal edge detail. Oriented toward the woods, each volume is further defined by its sharp end articulation and the material differentiation of its exterior cladding.

Kitchen - small contemporary light wood floor kitchen idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets and a peninsula

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.

Eric Rorer
Inspiration for a contemporary multicolored one-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Eat-in kitchen - contemporary eat-in kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and black backsplash

Bedroom - large contemporary master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom idea in Miami with brown walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a contemporary beige floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, paneled appliances and two islands

The homeowners desired an outdoor space that felt more rustic than their refined interior spaces, but still related architecturally to their house. Cement plaster support arbor columns provide enough of visual tie to the existing house exterior. Oversized wood beams and rafter members provide a unique outdoor atmosphere. Structural bolts and hardware were minimized for a cleaner appearance. Structural connections and supports were engineered to meet California's stringent earthquake standards. Ali Atri Photography

Imagen: Xavier Vallejo
Entryway - large contemporary concrete floor entryway idea in Other with gray walls and a medium wood front door

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Chicago with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tv stand