Historic Log Cabin
Mountain style one-story exterior home photo in DC Metro with a metal roof and a brown roof

Andrew Buchanan of Subtle Light Photography
Inspiration for a coastal landscaping in Seattle.

Steel cables suspend the cantilevered roof canopy, providing the perfect ratio of protection from the hot Texas sun, but still having the option to soak up the rays when the weather is just right. The views are good from any angle. The grey composite decking was not originally in the budget but by getting a deal on some left over order from a local lumber yard we were able to provide a big upgrade to our clients for very little. isARK Studio

What if you want the open-air freedom of a deck, with elevated visibility, and convenient access to the ground floor, but also want protection from the elements? The solution is a tuck under 3-season porch with a 2nd story low-maintenance Azek decking, with LED illuminated powder coated aluminum bronze railings. It's another perfect application of the Eze-Breeze® panelized membrane enclosure system that has the look of a 4-season with the protection of a 3-season porch, but for far less than a 3 or 4-season price tag. We added a unique accent wall of barn wood to anchor the room and tie in the rustic surroundings and the custom concrete floor. Design/Build Consultant — Jeff Robinson Photography — Alyssa Lee

The carved limestone fireplace on this patio is the focal point for casual family gatherings as well as entertaining. This spacious covered area is protected from mid-day sun, but still offers stunning long distance views.

Tony Soluri Photography
Pool - contemporary backyard tile pool idea in Chicago

The Elliott Bay House is located on an urban site facing Puget Sound in Washington State. The architectural massing of the house has been wrapped around a south-facing, courtyard dominated by a large reflecting pool with two “floating” basalt boulders. The main living space has sweeping westerly views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The east side of the living space is the courtyard with reflecting pool, providing a sense of intimacy and quiet in contrast to the dramatic views on the west side. Similar to other FINNE projects, a strong sense of “crafted modernism” is present in the house. A water jet-cut steel fence and gate leads to the house entry. Stainless steel stands elevate the basalt boulders in the pool so they hover slightly above the water’s surface. Roof drainage from the living space drops onto the basalt boulder in a 10-ft. waterfall. Exterior siding is custom stained red cedar with two different patterns and colors. The striking steel and wood stairs have water jet-cut steel railings with a pattern based on hand-drawn ink brush strokes. The beech interior cabinets have a custom topographic milled pattern called “imaginary landscape.” Freeform steel lighting bars in the ceiling tie together the kitchen and dining spaces. The house is highly energy efficient and sustainable. All roof drainage is directed to the reflecting pool for collection. The house is insulated 30% higher than code. Radiant heating is used throughout; generous glass areas provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs are used for sun and snow protection; interior wood is FSC certified. The house has been pre-wired for photovoltaic roof panels, and an electric vehicle charging station has been installed in the garage.

Inspiration for a southwestern patio remodel in San Diego

This property is on the border of a protected flood control area thus permanently protecting the incredible distant views. The natural desert landscape is a beautiful and rugged setting for this crisp architecture. full story on our website: More images on our website: http://www.romero-obeji-interiordesign.com

A great seaside residence requires a great outdoor space to enjoy the views.
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Seattle

The enclosed porch offers full view of the yard, while providing sun and wind protection.
Inspiration for a timeless porch remodel in Other

Elegant exterior home photo in Toronto

Discover Our Transformation of a Historic Gem in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid! We are thrilled to unveil our latest project in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid - a timeless treasure originally designed in 1890 by the renowned architect, Jacob Klinkhamer. Embracing the rich history of this distinguished house, we have transformed it into a welcoming and contemporary home, meticulously tailored to suit the needs of its new family. Preserving the heritage and beauty of the street façade, which holds a protected municipal monument status, we ensured that only minor adjustments were made to maintain its historical charm. However, behind the elegant exterior, a comprehensive interior renovation and structural overhaul awaited. From deepening the basement floor to introducing an elevator shaft, we left no stone unturned in reimagining this space for modern living. Every aspect of the layout was thoughtfully rearranged to maximize functionality and create a seamless flow between the rooms. The result? A harmonious blend of classic and contemporary design, reflecting the spirit of the past while embracing the comforts of today. The crowning jewel of this project is the addition of a stunning modern roof terrace, providing breathtaking views of the city skyline and the perfect spot for relaxation and entertainment. We invite you to explore the transformation of this historic gem on our website. Witness the marriage of old-world charm with modern elegance, and see how we transformed a house into a cherished home. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.storm-architects.com/projects/klinkhamer-huis

Discover Our Transformation of a Historic Gem in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid! We are thrilled to unveil our latest project in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid - a timeless treasure originally designed in 1890 by the renowned architect, Jacob Klinkhamer. Embracing the rich history of this distinguished house, we have transformed it into a welcoming and contemporary home, meticulously tailored to suit the needs of its new family. Preserving the heritage and beauty of the street façade, which holds a protected municipal monument status, we ensured that only minor adjustments were made to maintain its historical charm. However, behind the elegant exterior, a comprehensive interior renovation and structural overhaul awaited. From deepening the basement floor to introducing an elevator shaft, we left no stone unturned in reimagining this space for modern living. Every aspect of the layout was thoughtfully rearranged to maximize functionality and create a seamless flow between the rooms. The result? A harmonious blend of classic and contemporary design, reflecting the spirit of the past while embracing the comforts of today. The crowning jewel of this project is the addition of a stunning modern roof terrace, providing breathtaking views of the city skyline and the perfect spot for relaxation and entertainment. We invite you to explore the transformation of this historic gem on our website. Witness the marriage of old-world charm with modern elegance, and see how we transformed a house into a cherished home. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.storm-architects.com/projects/klinkhamer-huis

West Seattle offers great views to Puget Sound and this house is no exception. It almost felt like we were in the water from the second and third floor. The bamboo floors were getting a tremendous amount of fading and the air conditioning was having a difficult time keeping up with the heat. We installed 3M Prestige 50 to keep the view and solve the problems from the sun.

Modern glass house set in the landscape evokes a midcentury vibe. A modern gas fireplace divides the living area with a polished concrete floor from the greenhouse with a gravel floor. The frame is painted steel with aluminum sliding glass door. The front features a green roof with native grasses and the rear is covered with a glass roof. Photo by: Gregg Shupe Photography

Above and Beyond is the third residence in a four-home collection in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Originally the site of the abandoned Kachina Elementary School, the infill community, appropriately named Kachina Estates, embraces the remarkable views of Camelback Mountain. Nestled into an acre sized pie shaped cul-de-sac lot, the lot geometry and front facing view orientation created a remarkable privacy challenge and influenced the forward facing facade and massing. An iconic, stone-clad massing wall element rests within an oversized south-facing fenestration, creating separation and privacy while affording views “above and beyond.” Above and Beyond has Mid-Century DNA married with a larger sense of mass and scale. The pool pavilion bridges from the main residence to a guest casita which visually completes the need for protection and privacy from street and solar exposure. The pie-shaped lot which tapered to the south created a challenge to harvest south light. This was one of the largest spatial organization influencers for the design. The design undulates to embrace south sun and organically creates remarkable outdoor living spaces. This modernist home has a palate of granite and limestone wall cladding, plaster, and a painted metal fascia. The wall cladding seamlessly enters and exits the architecture affording interior and exterior continuity. Kachina Estates was named an Award of Merit winner at the 2019 Gold Nugget Awards in the category of Best Residential Detached Collection of the Year. The annual awards ceremony was held at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco, CA in May 2019. Project Details: Above and Beyond Architecture: Drewett Works Developer/Builder: Bedbrock Developers Interior Design: Est Est Land Planner/Civil Engineer: CVL Consultants Photography: Dino Tonn and Steven Thompson Awards: Gold Nugget Award of Merit - Kachina Estates - Residential Detached Collection of the Year

For more than a decade the owners of this property dreamed of replacing a well-worn trailer, parked by a previous owner onto a forested corner of the site, with a permanent structure that took advantage of breathtaking views across South Park basin. Accompanying a mutual friend nearly as long ago, the architect visited the site as a guest and years later could easily recall the inspiration inherent in the site. Ultimately dream and inspiration met to create this weekend retreat. With a mere 440 square feet planted in the ground, and just 1500 square feet combined across three levels, the design creates indoor and outdoor spaces to frame distant range views and protect inhabitants from the intense Colorado sun and evening chill with minimal impact on its surroundings. Designed by Bryan Anderson Construction by Mountain View Homes Photographs by Troy Thies

Cedar Cove Modern benefits from its integration into the landscape. The house is set back from Lake Webster to preserve an existing stand of broadleaf trees that filter the low western sun that sets over the lake. Its split-level design follows the gentle grade of the surrounding slope. The L-shape of the house forms a protected garden entryway in the area of the house facing away from the lake while a two-story stone wall marks the entry and continues through the width of the house, leading the eye to a rear terrace. This terrace has a spectacular view aided by the structure’s smart positioning in relationship to Lake Webster. The interior spaces are also organized to prioritize views of the lake. The living room looks out over the stone terrace at the rear of the house. The bisecting stone wall forms the fireplace in the living room and visually separates the two-story bedroom wing from the active spaces of the house. The screen porch, a staple of our modern house designs, flanks the terrace. Viewed from the lake, the house accentuates the contours of the land, while the clerestory window above the living room emits a soft glow through the canopy of preserved trees.