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.

Jim Bartsch
Inspiration for a contemporary stone exterior home remodel in San Francisco

Baby Girl's Lavender Nursery Interior Design: Jeanne Campana Design www.jeannecampanadesign.com
Example of a mid-sized transitional girl carpeted nursery design in New York with white walls

This cluster of two cottage courts is the National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Award winner. The cottages are simple yet elegant and are geared toward todays 50+ lifestyle. The Cottages are located within the Village at Saluda River Club. A NAHB BALA award winning community also planned by Allison Ramsey Architects.

This light and airy laundry room/mudroom beckons you with two beautiful white capiz seashell pendant lights, custom floor to ceiling cabinetry with crown molding, raised washer and dryer with storage underneath, wooden folding counter, and wall paper accent wall

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s open concept and formal medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Seattle with white walls, a wall-mounted tv and no fireplace

Matt Francis Photos
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Ray Olivares
Living room - industrial formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

The boys can climb the walls and swing from the ceiling in this playroom designed for indoor activity. When the toys are removed it can easily convert to the party barn with two sets of mahogany double doors that open out onto a patio in the front of the house and a poolside deck on the waterside.

Multiple gables and arches create an attractive exterior for this family-friendly house plan. The Markham makes efficient use of space with garage storage, a full pantry, and a spacious utility room just off the three-car garage. Each bedroom in this house plan has a walk-in closet and decorative ceiling treatments, and the master bedroom includes a sitting area and access to the back porch. The house plan has a screen porch off the dining room which features an inviting fireplace for year-round enjoyment.

Photo: Lisa Russman Photography http://www.lisarussman.com/ Frame Design Lab

Great Craftsman / Country Style home design with 3 to 4, an open concept floor plan, a double-car garage and x-large bonus space or flex room above garage of 400+ sq.ft. Blueprints, CAD and PDF files available starting at $1049 Drummond House Plans - 2015 Copyrights

Craig Thompson
Example of a classic formal dark wood floor living room design in Other with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a large contemporary side yard stone landscaping in Seattle.

House Plan 16852WG was built from our plans for Mike in Texas by his friend/neighbor/builder in reverse from the plans as originally drawn. The home has a split bedroom layout with a vaulted master and family room. And a flexible floor plan with a study or bedroom option and a bonus room above the garage. As designed the home gives you 1,764 sq. ft. of living space, 3 or 4 beds plus the bonus room. Check it out here and buy it in PDF, CAD or prints to build for yourself: http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plan-16852WG.asp

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary beige two-story mixed siding gable roof remodel in Seattle

Inspiration for a timeless one-car garage remodel in New York

This multigenerational home plan is a beautiful and elegant solution to multiple generations living while maintaining privacy for each unit. The main level in-law suite provides graceful living in a large living room, a beautiful kitchen/dinette with walk-in pantry, a master bedroom with large closet and a bathroom with integrated laundry area. A private covered patio completes this graceful suite. The principle residence includes an open floor plan, ample windows and a corner office. This open living area spills onto an expansive deck which is partially covered to ensure maximum seasonal use. Two bedrooms share a generous a bathroom with independent 42'' x 62” shower. A large workshop/storage and laundry room are located on the ground floor to the rear of the garage. A central entry provides access to both dwellings as well as the garage. While ideally suited as a multigenerational home design, this home would also be attractive by providing a desirable income suite. Blueprints and PDF file available for sale, starting at $1165 usd. To see more multigenerational home designs, visit our website here: http://www.drummondhouseplans.com/mother-in-law-suites-and-multigenerational.html Drummond House Plans - 2014 Copyright