Karuna Passive House designed by Holst Architecture and built by Hammer & Hand. This high performance home meets the world's most demanding green building certifications. Photo by Jeremy Bittermann.

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Elegant beige floor mudroom photo with white walls

Elegant white tile and subway tile brown floor alcove shower photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Kitchen - large country l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and quartz countertops

Giovani Lunardi
This is an example of a tropical side yard brick garden path in Portland.

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
This is an example of a traditional full sun front yard stone garden path in Burlington.

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Example of a classic foyer design in New York

Perimeter Hardware Paint Island - Rift White Oak Wood Driftwood Dark Stain
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops, gray cabinets, quartz countertops and red backsplash

This Master Bath designed by chadbourne + doss architects incorporates the shower and tub into a frameless glass enclosed wet room. Hybridized acrylic cement plaster creates a seamless waterproof environment. photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Mechanical pergola louvers, heaters, fire table and custom bar make this a 4-season destination. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.
Example of a trendy rooftop rooftop deck design in Chicago with a pergola

Addison Hill Photography
Utility room - farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor utility room idea in Atlanta with white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Reclaimed wood box beams run across the ceiling of this transitional home bar, anchoring the space with warm antique character while reclaimed wood floating shelves and reclaimed wood paneling on the bar island base carry that same warmth through every layer of the design. From ceiling to wall to bar front, the naturally aged tones and honest grain of these antique timbers create a cohesive reclaimed wood story that gives this home bar a depth and authenticity no modern material can match. Every piece is sourced from 19th and early 20th century structures and prepared through our process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to bring reclaimed wood box beams, shelving, and paneling together in a home bar, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We ship nationwide and are happy to help you find the right pieces from anywhere in the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started.

Sam Oberter Photography
1950s gray tile and slate tile alcove shower photo in Philadelphia with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Photo by George Dzahristos
Photo of a traditional partial sun stone formal garden in Detroit.

Holger Obenaus
Beach style bedroom photo in Charleston with gray walls

Jim Bartsch
Drop-in bathtub - contemporary beige tile beige floor drop-in bathtub idea in San Francisco with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and beige walls

Peter Molick Photography
Inspiration for a transitional white two-story brick gable roof remodel in Houston