Conversion of a 3-family, wood-frame townhouse to 2-family occupancy. An owner’s duplex was created in the lower portion of the building by combining two existing floorthrough apartments. The center of the project is a double-height stair hall featuring a bridge connecting the two upper-level bedrooms. Natural light is pulled deep into the center of the building down to the 1st floor through the use of an existing vestigial light shaft, which bypasses the 3rd floor rental unit.

Full gut renovation and facade restoration of an historic 1850s wood-frame townhouse. The current owners found the building as a decaying, vacant SRO (single room occupancy) dwelling with approximately 9 rooming units. The building has been converted to a two-family house with an owner’s triplex over a garden-level rental. Due to the fact that the very little of the existing structure was serviceable and the change of occupancy necessitated major layout changes, nC2 was able to propose an especially creative and unconventional design for the triplex. This design centers around a continuous 2-run stair which connects the main living space on the parlor level to a family room on the second floor and, finally, to a studio space on the third, thus linking all of the public and semi-public spaces with a single architectural element. This scheme is further enhanced through the use of a wood-slat screen wall which functions as a guardrail for the stair as well as a light-filtering element tying all of the floors together, as well its culmination in a 5’ x 25’ skylight.

Classic home remodel in Apex. Model home build in 1980's revitalized into an elegant yet comfortable environment that would reflect the taste of its retired owners.

Awarded "Best Smart Home of the Year" by EH. Spire outfitted this beautiful Michigan home with the best in high quality luxury technology. The homeowners enjoy the complete control of their home, from lighting and shading to entertainment and security, through the Savant Control System. Homeowners and guests can easily create “scenes” to manage their days and social gatherings. Lutron shades help maintain light, climate and privacy to balance the inside and outside views. Outdoor entertaining is easy with the Sonance Landscape Audio System, Lutron light controls for pools and fountains and Savant control of outdoor fire pits. The fully managed Whyreboot network allows for uninterrupted system control. To maintain security, Holovision doors and gates are equipped with Doorbird system to notify residents of visitors and to give control to open and close doors and gates. Music lovers can enjoy the highest level in audio from Meridian 7200 speakers in the lower level, as well as, Sonance in wall and in ceiling speakers throughout the home. In order for the homeowners to enjoy different music and entertainment in various rooms, 14 zones of video and 26 zones of audio were necessary. Spire added many special touches to this amazing home. The master bathroom boasts a MirrorTV so owners can enjoy some entertainment while preparing for the day. A floor lift in the kitchen and dining room allows for entertainment, but can be tucked away when distractions are not wanted. A floor lift in the bedroom makes watching TV convenient, but can be put away when not in use. A fingerprint lock was placed at the bar for peace of mind. Spire’s expertise and commitment to detail were key to the intricate design concepts throughout the home. Spire worked closely with design teams to ensure under cabinet lighting was just right.

The Home A charming reflection of its surroundings, the farmhouse-inspired Salida appeals to everyone from families with young children to growing families with teenagers. The home’s well-placed rear-entry garage and oversized front porch provide a warm and welcoming façade with contrasting board and batten details brimming with curb appeal. Inside, an entry hall flanked on either side by a private study and powder room expands to an inviting light and bright open-concept design uniting the kitchen, dining and family rooms that extend entertaining spaces with the adjoining patio. Alternatively, the upstairs provides family members with their own sense of space. The tranquil owner’s retreat with owner’s bath and spacious walk-in closet is set at the rear of the home and two secondary bedrooms flanking the full bathroom are ideally located at the front – providing the ultimate in privacy. A second-floor utility room makes laundry day a breeze. To provide for a growing family and expand the gathering spaces, an unfinished basement offers a wealth of flexibility with the options of a fourth bedroom, third full bath and game room. The Builder Founded in 1976, David Weekley Homes is the nation’s second largest privately-held homebuilder. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the company operates in 20 cities, including three communities in Colorado Springs. David Weekley Homes was the first builder in the United States to be awarded the “Triple Crown of American Homebuilding,” an honor which includes “America’s Best Builder,” “National Housing Quality Award” and “National Builder of the Year.” Nationwide, the company has received more than 1,300 product design and service awards, a reflection of the company’s commitment to Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives for more than 100,000 homebuyers. By utilizing buyer demographic information and incorporating the latest trends, Kathy Andrews Interiors (KAI) serves as the creative force behind the builder’s model homes where buyers can see and touch the quality craftsmanship. KAI also selects finishes like flooring and furnishings to create one-of-a-kind homes for buyers! The Interior Design The Salida’s interior design boasts an edgy sensibility with an ivory and gray color palette providing an ideal backdrop to modern decor elements. Soft gray laminate flooring is punctuated by accents of dark gray, white and navy contrasted by pops of lime green for a modern look. Glass elements throughout add to this contemporary impression. At center stage, the kitchen features two-tone cabinetry in slate gray and white complemented by white marbled quartz countertops and twilight blue glass brick-laid tile backsplash. Details like the pencil edge countertops add a modern look. The sophisticated, navy blue theme continues through several spaces, including in the owner’s retreat where pale gray brick-laid subway tile pops against the navy vertical stripe accent with glass mosaic tiles in a herringbone pattern, creating a floor-to-ceiling focal point. The secondary bathroom features a similar memory point with showstopping navy glass tile accents.

Completed in two phases, the kitchen in this home was first overhauled and the wall separating it from the dining room was torn down. The structure, hidden in the boxed ceiling, compliments the original details as they were woven into this new great room. New sliding doors replacing the relocated bathroom at the rear beckon one to the garden. This created the palette for the owner to tailor the finishes exquisitely. The resplendent marble counter top is the heart of their tasteful new living space, ideal for entertaining. For phase two, the owner commissioned ONE Design to flood the upper level of the home with light. The owner, inspired by her rural upbringing in Humboldt, wished to draw inspiration from this and her Eichler-like grandparent’s home. ONE Design vaulted the ceilings to create an open soaring roof and provide a clean three dimensional canvass. Adding skylights which bathe the clean walls in an ever changing light show was the centerpiece of this transformation. Transom windows over the bedroom doors offer additional light to the interior circulation space. Enlarged windows combine the owner’s desire to live in a “glass house,” while paying respect to the Edwardian heritage of the home and providing expansive views of the meadow-like garden oasis. The cherry on top is the attic retreat, adding a north facing dormer that peeks at the Golden Gate Bridge offers a serene perch — perfect escapism for a creative writer!

1960s lake home renovated for next generation owners introducing abundant natural lighting, modern finishes, and energy efficiency throughout the design. Kitchen/Dining Room enlarged for better flow and family gathering.

The home previously had a massive, difficult to maintain pond that was 4-6' deep and a danger to the owners young grandkids. We removed that and added water but in a different configuration. A unique fish totem pole.

This home was originally built in the early 1900's. It sat for many years in disrepair. A new owner came along and wanted to transform the space, keeping the footprint as close to original as possible.

An outstanding collection of Art Deco furnishings, lighting, artwork, and accessories imbues this full-floor, Lake Shore Drive condominium with uncommon presence. Tailored in style and masculine in hue, it cocoons even as it welcomes light and views. Macassar ebony millwork and travertine floors evince its luxurious architectural side; sumptuous materials including silk velvet, cashmere, and shagreen articulate exquisite decorative elegance – as do pashmina draperies and parchment-covered walls. Also climbing walls: poetry, in this case written by the owner’s son and artistically hand-lettered by a local artisan. Layered in the extreme and collected over time, interiors exemplify the owner’s vocation as a jewelry designer, avocation as a world traveler, and passion for detail in measures both large and small. Embellished by a wide-ranging collection of sophisticated artworks – think everything from vintage New Yorker covers to a graphic Lichtenstein – it is a testament to the decorative power of self-assurance. Photo: Werner Straube

The renovations at Horseshoe Hill transformed a disjointed property into an alluring farmhouse with strong connections to the landscape and a fresh aesthetic to complement the owner’s South African furnishings. A new main gable establishes a strong central focus for the massing, and an entry wing addition welcomes visitors with a charming porch and inviting foyer. New south-facing covered porches create comfortable outdoor living areas, connect major rooms to the outdoors, and provide shade and filtered light for interior spaces. The home’s updated floor plan distills an existing warren of disconnected, small chambers into spacious, open rooms that infuse the house with a modern flow and engage the new pool.

The renovations at Horseshoe Hill transformed a disjointed property into an alluring farmhouse with strong connections to the landscape and a fresh aesthetic to complement the owner’s South African furnishings. A new main gable establishes a strong central focus for the massing, and an entry wing addition welcomes visitors with a charming porch and inviting foyer. New south-facing covered porches create comfortable outdoor living areas, connect major rooms to the outdoors, and provide shade and filtered light for interior spaces. The home’s updated floor plan distills an existing warren of disconnected, small chambers into spacious, open rooms that infuse the house with a modern flow and engage the new pool.

The renovations at Horseshoe Hill transformed a disjointed property into an alluring farmhouse with strong connections to the landscape and a fresh aesthetic to complement the owner’s South African furnishings. A new main gable establishes a strong central focus for the massing, and an entry wing addition welcomes visitors with a charming porch and inviting foyer. New south-facing covered porches create comfortable outdoor living areas, connect major rooms to the outdoors, and provide shade and filtered light for interior spaces. The home’s updated floor plan distills an existing warren of disconnected, small chambers into spacious, open rooms that infuse the house with a modern flow and engage the new pool.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

This was a gut remodel of a 1950’s 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200-square-foot home. The main house was composed of two bedrooms with one bathroom, and a separate studio unit with a full bathroom was located in the backyard. The new owners, a family of 4, wanted to remove the studio unit and increase the square footage of the main house to include a new master suite, family room, and powder room while leaving enough space for the possible addition of a pool in the backyard down the road. We also expanded the kitchen and remodeled the kids’ shared bathroom. White Sands advised during the architectural stage of the project to perfect the layout and ensure enough space was carved out for the new kitchen, family room, and master bedroom. We designed a modified galley kitchen with a large eat-in island in the center. Custom cabinetry was key in making the layout work. To provide ample storage, we created a European-style larder pantry, which is flanked by full-height glass hutches and appliance garages to keep countertop gadgets concealed. The family room is anchored by a new fireplace, complete with custom built-ins flanking each side. The client’s goal for the overall aesthetic is very simple, classic coastal cottage. They wanted cutesy charm. They did not want anything fussy or fancy, requesting selections to be pared down and approachable. All tile and counter finishes selected were in timeless shapes and color palettes. We brought in color and personality with the accessories- cabinet hardware, mirrors, wallcoverings, and styling accessories.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY GRAND AWARD WINNER Built in 1980, this single family home in Fairfax Station desperately needed remodeling. The homeowners cited lack of space, old appliances, dark cabinets and not enough natural light coming in as just a few of its problems. Design solutions to their problems included adding space via a two-foot bump out behind the breakfast area to make room for a larger table and more seating, and moving a wall out 18” to create a wider kitchen. This second move allowed one wall to house the kitchen’s pantry, double oven and refrigerator. Stainless steel professional-grade appliances also include an electric cooktop and range hood. The added space accommodated a center island which provides more storage, houses a built-in microwave and incorporates display cabinets for the owner’s prized china. Both the island and perimeter cabinets are topped with an exotic dark granite counter. A custom-made hutch matches the cabinetry perfectly. The new open concept design lets guests move freely between kitchen, dining area and family room. A triple window in the dining area and double window over the sink area meet the owner’s requirement for bringing in more natural light.

This 1950's rambler had never been remodeled by the owner's parents. Now it was time for a complete refresh. It went from 4 bedrooms to 3 in order to build out an improved owners suite with an expansive closet and accessible and spacious bathroom. Original hardwood floors were kept and new were laced in throughout. All the new cabinets, doors, and trim are now maple and much more modern. Countertops are quartz. All the windows were replaced, the chimney was repaired, the roof replaced, and exterior painting completed the look. A complete transformation!

A rustic-modern house designed to grow organically from its site, overlooking a cornfield, river and mountains in the distance. Indigenous stone and wood materials were taken from the site and incorporated into the structure, which was articulated to honestly express the means of construction. Notable features include an open living/dining/kitchen space with window walls taking in the surrounding views, and an internally-focused circular library celebrating the home owner’s love of literature. Phillip Spears Photographer

The vacation home pays homage to the Queen Anne style, with its steep-pitched roof, multiple gable forms, turned porch posts, and decorative millwork or “gingerbread” trim. Exterior decorative brackets allude to nature and the vernacular tradition in drawing inspiration from the landscape. Silhouettes of the sun and crescent moon in the gable end panels evoke the cosmos, and are metaphors for a larger order and the owner’s own proclivities. The siding and trim are made with Boral TruExterior, which provides authentic looks along with performance to withstand both the hot, humid summers and cold winters. Photo: Kim Smith Photo