Photo: Edmunds Studios
Large elegant light wood floor indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court photo in Milwaukee with gray walls

Indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court - huge mediterranean light wood floor indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court idea in Phoenix with beige walls

Jeremy Bitterman
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Seattle

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master white tile and subway tile dark wood floor and brown floor freestanding bathtub remodel with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, green walls and raised-panel cabinets

Mid-sized rustic gray two-story wood exterior home idea in Sacramento

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with decking and no cover

Example of a large trendy galley light wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Steve Chenn
Example of a large tuscan master dark wood floor bedroom design in Houston with purple walls

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Halkin Mason Photography
Trendy indoor rectangular indoor pool house photo in Philadelphia

Stairwell leading up to observation deck
Staircase - coastal wooden l-shaped staircase idea in Houston with painted risers

Patio - contemporary patio idea in New York

Built in 1860 we designed this kitchen to have the conveniences of modern life with a sense of having it feel like it could be the original kitchen. White oak with clear coated herringbone oak floor and stained white oak cabinetry deliver the two tone feel.

Detail of stair leading up to observation deck
Inspiration for a coastal three-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Houston

DJK Custom Homes
This is an example of a mid-sized rustic screened-in porch design in Chicago with decking.

Melani Lust Photography Designed by Thiel Architecture + Design
Transitional three-story exterior home photo in New York

Photo: Ten Ten Creative
Wet bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, subway tile backsplash and gray countertops

Home studio - small scandinavian built-in desk laminate floor and brown floor home studio idea with white walls and a corner fireplace