Search results for "Penetrating" in Home Design Ideas

Gallegos was contacted by a client about a project where stone was not just to be an accent material, but the main visual and perceived structural element to create a timeless architectural composition. To further the endeavor: all veneers and dimension stone must be locally sourced and sustainably quarried. The design called for a moss rock veneer with cut stone trim. Sourcing the sandstone moss rock was simple because there were several local quarries to use. The problem
was with the trim pieces.
Gallegos selected Colorado Buff sandstone for the trim since the buff body was a good contrast to the moss rock and it is a stone that can be cut to size. One main concern with any sedimentary stone is hitting what is known as a “dry” layer in the ledge. This is an area in the stone between sedimentary layers that has not solidified or cemented. It is still granular and can lead to future stone failure as water penetrates these layers and creates freeze/thaw issues. To avoid this, they used
an epoxy injected into the dry layers to help solidify the material and prevent any future failures.
The client also wanted sustainable materials for their countertops and bathrooms. Many of the interior stones were either reclaimed materials or were sourced from Colorado quarries – Calacatta Lincoln was used extensively.
Gallegos sourced tiles from reclamation projects in Europe and Asia for use in the master bath and front entry areas. For many of the countertops, the owner’s interior designer spent hours looking through remnants and applied several throughout the residence.
Willow Court is a spectacular and dramatic nod to stone masonry, something the owner, architect, and builder can be proud of and, for the most part, was built with the environment in mind.

The client was looking to expand an area off of their existing kitchen in order to create a space for dining and relaxation. Unfortunately, the location of the kitchen at the rear of the home meant that any expansion would create a darker kitchen than the client wanted. Enter Sunspace Design. We suggested the use of a glass roof complete with triangular windows to maximize the levels of much needed natural light. This design would allow for the light to flood the new addition, but also penetrate into the existing kitchen and transform the quality of that space as well.
The client’s existing kitchen design was a variation of the “cabin” or country aesthetic, so Sunspace used its natural wood system. This allowed the frame of the glass roof to be stained to match the surrounding style. We are proud of the flexibility of our products when used in conjunction with standard types of construction. Our designs are tailored to achieve whatever goals the clients might have. And because we only use windows from the top US manufacturers, we’re able to pair these designs with stunning levels of natural light. The result is a space that can completely revitalize a home’s atmosphere.
Our use of high performance glass treatments provides us with an important degree of control over both the light levels and the solar gain of a space. This enables us to establish a comfortable year-round environment; our spaces are capable of being efficiently heated or cooled as the seasons dictate. We’ve been in the business for a long time, and we can say with confidence that our glass designs allow any type of addition to become the favorite focal point in anyone’s home.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.
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Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site.
Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months.
Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain.
Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs.
Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems.
Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges.
Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

THE APARTMENT NEXT TO THE PARK
It is not often the case that an architect has a chance to work for someone he knows well and truly likes. I was lucky to design the investor’s former apartment some years ago which was a big advantage. We kicked off with mutual trust and understanding. We both wanted to design a luxurious urban apartment for an active businesswoman.
Four-storey apartment building was erected on the edge of one of Warsaw parks. The place, immersed in stunning nature, is only 10 minutes’ drive from the city center. It is an excellent, prestigious location. From east and south the 160 square meters apartment is surrounded by large terraces that enlarge available space by additional 60 square meters. From the level of the second floor the apartment overlooks heavily-wooded park with a picturesque lake and a hill with a ski-lift. Living area of this open to three sides apartment is penetrated by the sun from dusk till dawn.
The budget was considerable because of high standards of solutions used by the developer, particularly ventilation and heating installations as well as smart installation in KNX standard.
The photo shoots and the publication (CZAS NA WNĘTRZE 10/2019) were a great pleasure.
I am also pleased to announce:
"...Architect Roland Stanczyk (RS Studio Projektowe) has won The European Property Award in the category of Interior Design Apartment with “The Apartment Next to the Park”. The award ceremony will take place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on 24th October 2019 in London."
Area: 160 sqm
Stylization: Urszula Niemiro
Photo: Hanna Długosz, photo of the details: Tomasz Markowski

After two years of fighting with a failing pond liner, the resident decided to replace the liner in the pond. This 150’ x 115’pond sat above and flowed into a larger pond which was lined with PVC liner. We were replacing this with a 45 mil epdm fishsafe rubber liner. This presented a problem: there is no way to adhere the new rubber liner to the existing PVC liner in the lower pond. The solution was to pour a cement 18” wide x 2’ deep footing next to the wier damn between the two ponds in order to connect the two liners together. The old liner was placed on the top of the footing and a water-block sealant was used. The new rubber liner was placed on top and another layer of sealant along with stainless steel bars were laid atop the two materials in order to press them together to maintain a water-tight junction. A drain tile system was installed beneath the liner to relieve ground water pressure and vent off any gasses. Water tight seals also had to be provided for multiple plumbing penetrations through the liner. Non-woven geotextile planting media bags were used to prevent erosion around the perimeter of the pond. As the pond was landscaped with lawn and perennials, these had to be removed and preserved and maintained throughout the project in order to return them upon completion of the lining. All trenching work and removal of plant material was done by hand in order to maintain the surrounding landscape; great care was taken throughout the project in order to protect existing hard and softscape, so that upon completion, the area appeared almost exactly as it had been before work began.
Photo by Larry Carnes

Custom fireplace with the stone removed and new hardi backer board and drywall installed. Metal l bead was installed around the opening and proset 60 used to tape in and finish the entire fireplace for crack prevention and eifs mesh installed around the opening.
Grassello Di Calce product, Venetian plaster fireplace!
Typical install for a non zero clearance fireplace is as follows:
For fireplaces that are non-zero clearance: Use Hardi backer board around the opening, usually half inch and 18 inches around the opening, and then half inch drywall matched well to the hardi backer board seams. DO NOT USE DUROCK BOARD. Do not allow seams of the board to have breaks above the fireplace, preventing cracks by using one continuous piece of hardi board across the top, and placing the joints ideally in the middle of the two sides of the fireplace opening. Then tape in and finish only with Proset 60 drywall compound and use only metal corner beads and cut half the width of a 90 degree corner bead to make a homemade L bead, and fit this in between the drywall and fireplace flange.
Sand everything with an orbital sander and then primer with quartz primer diluted 1-1, and then 30% or undiluted quartz primer, allow to dry 4 hrs, apply adhesive 9 inch mesh etc. as per above with our Italian basecoat 30 in two layers. Wax is definitely not recommended for around hot fireplaces. Stain shield is the best sealer choice for these areas.
This finish was polished to a satin sheen, and was not applied in three layers to produce a mirror finish. This finish was sealed with advanced penetrating sealer and was polished with a wool bonnet and microfiber rags.
2020
Venetian plaster install only, no rebuild or drywall work: $4200

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

One of the most popular hardwood floor finishing which offers Tom & Peter Flooring is provided by WOCA. If you’ve decided that you want a natural looking wooden floor that is lacquer-free, then the likelihood is that you’ve chosen oil as your way of protecting your wood and making your floor look great at the same time. WOCA for wood flooring comes in various forms and is a great way of making sure that your wood is protected, but at the same time looks natural. A highly popular as well as effective way of treating wood floors, oils effectively penetrate into the wood and in some cases harden into the surface of the floor to stop damage and to maintain the wood in its optimum condition.
WOCA Oil finish hardwood flooring has taken the United States market by in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2016 and now. Here are some of the most common questions we have regarding this type of finish which we will I’m to answer in today’s my blog:
Is oil finish as durable as traditional factory urethane finishes with aluminum oxide?
When it comes to durability, oil finish flooring tackles the issue with a completely different method. The penetrating oil serves as protection from moisture and wear while allowing the user to feel the wood grains in their bare feet. If compared directly to factory finished aluminum oxide finish, the oil finish flooring will not perform as well to abrasion and impact. However, the beauty of this finish is the fact that it will camouflage any scratches which will inevitably accumulate over time.
Will this finish evaporate over time and will this be harmful for indoor air quality?
Another concern for oil finished floors its effect on indoor air quality. For on-site applications, some varieties suggest several coats which typically require the residents to be out of the home due to mild odors. However, there are factory finished UV-cured or single coat applications which lessen the downtime. Despite the odors produced during the drying process, oil finish floors rank amongst the lowest for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Certain brands even boast true zero VOC. This fact alone makes oil finished floors one of the best options for green building solutions.
“WOCA products are certified by independent laboratories, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN–Norm 53–160. WOCA WoodCare Denmark products meet or exceed the most stringent U.S. standards for volatile organic compounds.” –WOCA Oil Finish Manufacture
Does this type of finish require additional maintenance which I am not familiar with?
For weekly cleaning, oiled floors use a special cleaner which contains an oil and soap mixture. After a period of 12-18 months some oil may evaporate causing the wood grains to appear dry. An additional layer of oil can be reapplied to keep the floor looking fresh. Although oil finished floors require more involvement in periodic maintenance in high traffic areas, this maintenance can be done much easier than the equivalent of an onsite sand and refinish.
WOCA Master Color Oil contains pigment, which provides a single-step hardwood floor staining process. Laying down the stain and the finish in one step.
This product comes 14 different colors, from Black to Extra White, and you can mix them freely to create various color palettes that will meet the demands of any job.
Below are some pictures of the finished job…

After two years of fighting with a failing pond liner, the resident decided to replace the liner in the pond. This 150’ x 115’pond sat above and flowed into a larger pond which was lined with PVC liner. We were replacing this with a 45 mil epdm fishsafe rubber liner. This presented a problem: there is no way to adhere the new rubber liner to the existing PVC liner in the lower pond. The solution was to pour a cement 18” wide x 2’ deep footing next to the wier damn between the two ponds in order to connect the two liners together. The old liner was placed on the top of the footing and a water-block sealant was used. The new rubber liner was placed on top and another layer of sealant along with stainless steel bars were laid atop the two materials in order to press them together to maintain a water-tight junction. A drain tile system was installed beneath the liner to relieve ground water pressure and vent off any gasses. Water tight seals also had to be provided for multiple plumbing penetrations through the liner. Non-woven geotextile planting media bags were used to prevent erosion around the perimeter of the pond. As the pond was landscaped with lawn and perennials, these had to be removed and preserved and maintained throughout the project in order to return them upon completion of the lining. All trenching work and removal of plant material was done by hand in order to maintain the surrounding landscape; great care was taken throughout the project in order to protect existing hard and softscape, so that upon completion, the area appeared almost exactly as it had been before work began.
Photo by Larry Carnes

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

This custom mountain residence draws inspiration from traditional stone cottages while embracing a refined contemporary aesthetic. The home is composed of a series of simple gabled forms clad almost entirely in natural stone, creating a sense of permanence and craftsmanship that feels deeply connected to its forested surroundings.
A dark standing-seam metal roof provides a striking contrast to the textured masonry walls, emphasizing the clean geometry of the structure while offering exceptional durability in a mountain environment. The entry is highlighted by a sculptural metal-clad portal that creates a welcoming transition between the landscape and interior living spaces. Carefully placed windows with dark trim punctuate the stone façade, framing views of the surrounding pines while allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the home.
The architecture prioritizes simplicity, proportion, and material authenticity. Rather than relying on ornamentation, the design derives character from the interplay of natural stone, metal, glass, and light. A central stone chimney reinforces the home's timeless character and serves as a visual focal point within the roofline.
Nestled among native grasses, boulders, and mature trees, the residence is designed to feel as though it has always belonged to the site. The result is a sophisticated custom home that combines the warmth of traditional mountain architecture with the clean lines and restraint of contemporary residential design.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

A young couple, owner of this duplex located near the Jean Talon market in Montreal’s little Italy, asked for Agence Imagine’s help and expertise to turn it into a single family home. Big renovations as well as an extension on the backyard have been made in order to offer today a large, comfortable home bathed in a lot of natural light.
The main floor’s layout is based on a linear structure that guides visitors into the living room and separates the kitchen area. A structural beam covered in a walnut veneer allows to maximize and open the living areas and gives a fluid circulation throughout the space.
Noble and raw materials and finishes such as wood, natural stone and quartz embellish this contemporary universe. The addition of a large patio door as well as a couple rectangular windows give a new sight toward the outside and allow natural light to penetrate the open area.
The installation of a 3 sided gas fireplace accentuates the warm hearted aspect of the space.
The kitchen, a mix of walnut and Italian lacquer, includes a spacious kitchen island where the owners like to cook and gather around with friends. Lots of organising spaces as well as a pantry have been thought out in order to optimize the use of space.
The upstairs includes a master’s bedroom with a walk-in and an access to the roof top terrace built on top of the main floor’s extension. On the 2nd floor we also find two bedrooms and a large bathroom. Spacious and functional, the bathroom offers calm and relaxation thanks to its podium bathtub and large Italian shower. The harmonious mix between the porcelain, the mosaic and the walnut veneer inspire serenity and elegance.
Photo Credit: Guillaume Gorini | Point de vue Studio

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary.
The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light.
The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

After two years of fighting with a failing pond liner, the resident decided to replace the liner in the pond. This 150’ x 115’pond sat above and flowed into a larger pond which was lined with PVC liner. We were replacing this with a 45 mil epdm fishsafe rubber liner. This presented a problem: there is no way to adhere the new rubber liner to the existing PVC liner in the lower pond. The solution was to pour a cement 18” wide x 2’ deep footing next to the wier damn between the two ponds in order to connect the two liners together. The old liner was placed on the top of the footing and a water-block sealant was used. The new rubber liner was placed on top and another layer of sealant along with stainless steel bars were laid atop the two materials in order to press them together to maintain a water-tight junction. A drain tile system was installed beneath the liner to relieve ground water pressure and vent off any gasses. Water tight seals also had to be provided for multiple plumbing penetrations through the liner. Non-woven geotextile planting media bags were used to prevent erosion around the perimeter of the pond. As the pond was landscaped with lawn and perennials, these had to be removed and preserved and maintained throughout the project in order to return them upon completion of the lining. All trenching work and removal of plant material was done by hand in order to maintain the surrounding landscape; great care was taken throughout the project in order to protect existing hard and softscape, so that upon completion, the area appeared almost exactly as it had been before work began.
Photo by Larry Carnes

This previously unused attic space is now a sauna/yoga room. The left sauna wall follows the attic rafters down diagonally to allow a wider space for leg room on the twin sauna benches.

Lincoln Lighthill Architect employed several discrete updates that collectively transform this existing row house.
At the heart of the home, a section of floor was removed at the top level to open up the existing stair and allow light from a new skylight to penetrate deep into the home. The stair itself received a new maple guardrail and planter, with a Fiddle-leaf fig tree growing up through the opening towards the skylight.
On the top living level, an awkwardly located entrance to a full bathroom directly off the main stair was moved around the corner and out of the way by removing a little used tub from the bathroom, as well as an outdated heater in the back corner. This created a more discrete entrance to the existing, now half-bath, and opened up a space for a wall of pantry cabinets with built-in refrigerator, and an office nook at the rear of the house with a huge new awning window to let in light and air.
Downstairs, the two existing bathrooms were reconfigured and recreated as dedicated master and kids baths. The kids bath uses yellow and white hexagonal Heath tile to create a pixelated celebration of color. The master bath, hidden behind a flush wall of walnut cabinetry, utilizes another Heath tile color to create a calming retreat.
Throughout the home, walnut thin-ply cabinetry creates a strong contrast to the existing maple flooring, while the exposed blond edges of the material tie the two together. Rounded edges on integral pulls and door edges create pinstripe detailing that adds richness and a sense of playfulness to the design.
This project was featured by Houzz: https://tinyurl.com/stn2hcze
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