Daniel Liebermann, who apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, designed the 1,000-sq-ft Radius House in 1960. The current owners, Andrew and Kim Todd, contractor Kevin Smith and designer Vivian Dwyer agreed that the goal of this project was to insert modern elements into this house of the earth. The roof was rebuilt to allow for adequate ventilation and for a proper electrical system. It was necessary to redesign the kitchen, refurbish concrete floors, wood beams, metal pipes and resurface the canted, curved brick walls with smooth, white plaster. The space at the rear was rearranged into a master bedroom with an open washing area, separate powder room and closet/dressing room. Every space opens to views of the giant redwoods that surround the property, connecting with the outside and making the house feel bigger. The movement of light during the day activates different parts of the house, while layering the lighting carries this magical effect to the night. This house is a perfect example of how to live well in a small space. Photographer: Joe Fletcher

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/

Inspiration for a rustic entryway remodel in Austin

Example of a small trendy master sliding shower door design in San Francisco

Example of a classic l-shaped kitchen design in Cincinnati with beaded inset cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a drop-in sink, white cabinets, laminate countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

This is a great place for the kids projects. Inside is the main kitchen sink, outside is a handy outdoor sink. Things can be passed through the slider windows. Chipper Hatter Photography

Example of a classic kitchen design in Portland with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops and white backsplash

A cozy and functional farmhouse kitchen with warm white cabinets and a rustic walnut island.
Mid-sized country l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

photo ©2012 Mariko Reed
Example of a mid-century modern one-story wood exterior home design in San Francisco with a shed roof

This photo is taken from the newly-added family room. The column in the kitchen island is where the old house ended. The dining room is to the right, and the family room is behind the photographer. Featured Project on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19481561/list/One-Big-Happy-Expansion-for-Michigan-Grandparents Interior Design: Lauren King Interior Design Contractor: Beechwood Building and Design Photo: Steve Kuzma Photography

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a minimalist bathroom design in Seattle with shaker cabinets

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Photographer: Anice Hoachlander from Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC Project Architect: Melanie Basini-Giordano, AIA
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Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Home yoga studio - home yoga studio idea in New York

We designed this bathroom makeover for an episode of Bath Crashers on DIY. This is how they described the project: "A dreary gray bathroom gets a 180-degree transformation when Matt and his crew crash San Francisco. The space becomes a personal spa with an infinity tub that has a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Marble floors and a marble shower kick up the luxury factor, and a walnut-plank wall adds richness to warm the space. To top off this makeover, the Bath Crashers team installs a 10-foot onyx countertop that glows at the flip of a switch." This was a lot of fun to participate in. Note the ceiling mounted tub filler. Photos by Mark Fordelon

Southwest enclosed carpeted and multicolored floor home theater photo in Milwaukee

Two adjacent condominium units were merged to create a new, single residence Located on the 12th floor of 505 Greenwich Street, the walls of the previous units were completely demolished and the new space was created from scratch as a 1600 square-foot home in the sky. With five floor to ceiling windows facing east, the plan was derived by aligning all of the rooms along the windows for natural light and skyline views of SOHO. The main area is a loft like space for dining, living, eating, and working; and is backed up by a small gallery area that allows for exhibiting photography with less natural light. Flanking each end of this main space are two full bedrooms, which have maximum privacy due to their opposite locations. The aspiration was to create a sublime and minimalist retreat where the city could be leisurely looked back upon as a spectator in contrast to the daily process of being a vigorous participant. Photo Credit: Paul Dyer

This cottage style architecture was created by adding a 2nd floor and garage to this small rambler. Photography: Sicora, Inc.
Inspiration for a timeless wood gable roof remodel in Minneapolis

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