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.

Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in San Francisco with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace and a media wall

This backyard patio design is inspired by our Para patio slab. Large-scale, ultra-smooth texture and fine lines best describe the all-new Para HD. Manufactured with Techo-Bloc’s patented High Definition technology, an extremely tight surface texture with pores that are virtually invisible. The Para HD provides contemporary styling and design flexibility. Each of its three sizes are packaged and sold separately allowing your projects to reflect your personal creativity. This 60 mm product is available in a 500 mm x 250 mm, 500 mm x 500 mm and 500 mm x 750 mm. It is available in both hyper smooth and polished textures. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/para/

This backyard patio design is inspired by our Para patio slab. Large-scale, ultra-smooth texture and fine lines best describe the all-new Para HD. Manufactured with Techo-Bloc’s patented High Definition technology, an extremely tight surface texture with pores that are virtually invisible. The Para HD provides contemporary styling and design flexibility. Each of its three sizes are packaged and sold separately allowing your projects to reflect your personal creativity. This 60 mm product is available in a 500 mm x 250 mm, 500 mm x 500 mm and 500 mm x 750 mm. It is available in both hyper smooth and polished textures. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/para/

Petr Krejci
Inspiration for a transitional beige tile bathroom remodel in London with a vessel sink, open cabinets and a wall-mount toilet

Vertical grain wood laminate provides a modern look for this his and hers vanity. The black and gold accents add contrast to the light to mid tones of grey, within the room.

The home on this beautiful property was transformed into a classic American style beauty with the addition of a new sunroom.
Mid-sized cottage open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Brisbane with blue walls

Scott Ehler
Example of a beach style living room design in Melbourne

Our clients for this grand mountain lodge wanted the warmth and solidness of timber to contrast many of the contemporary steel, glass and stone architecture more prevalent in the area recently. A desire for timberwork with ‘GRRRR’ equipped to handle the massive snowloads in this location, ensured that the timbers were fit to scale this awe-inspiring 8700sq ft residence. Working with Peter Rose Architecture + Interiors Inc., we came up with unique designs for the timberwork to be highlighted throughout the entire home. The Kettle River crew worked for 2.5 years designing and erecting the timber frame as well as the 2 feature staircases and complex heavy timber mouldings and mantle in the great room. We also coordinated and installed the direct set glazing on the timberwork and the unique Unison lift and slide doors that integrate seamlessly with the timberwork. Huge credit should also be given to the very talented builder on this project - MacDougall Construction & Renovations, it was a pleasure to partner with your team on this project.

Photography by Derek Robinson
Mid-sized transitional galley open concept kitchen photo in Dublin with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, black appliances and an island

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Toronto with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall

Michelle Peek Photography
Transitional guest medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Toronto

interior design by Tanya Yeung at Analogue Design Studio ; millwork by John Ozimec at Laneway Studio ; landscaping by Living Space Landscape ; art consulting by Mazarfox ; construction by C4 Construction ; photography by Arnaud Marthouret at Revelateur Studio

Large contemporary gray three-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Vancouver

Example of a mid-sized trendy light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Ottawa with gray walls and no fireplace

Mid-sized open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Ahmedabad

Kate Hansen (The Room Illuminated)
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen remodel in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, an island, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Large trendy marble floor bedroom photo in Mumbai with beige walls

We love the surprise element of an open and spacious bookshelf at the side of the island. This would be one of the things that would catch the attention of people walking into the kitchen. Photo credits: Fauzi Anuar of www.zeeandmarina.com