We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

The architect and designer Guy Derwent was approached by his client with a clear and compelling brief: to completely transform a grand Victorian terrace house they were planning to renovate. The client envisioned something far beyond a standard renovation – this was to be a bold and dramatic reimagining of a family home that could grow with them over time. With the property having remained largely untouched for more than fifty years, the architects saw an opportunity to unlock its potential and deliver a contemporary design that would contrast beautifully with its Victorian heritage. The existing layout consisted of a series of small, disconnected rooms to the rear of the house. To respond to the client’s need for openness and flexibility, the architect proposed a radical restructuring of the ground floor: The rear rooms were completely removed Suspended timber floors were lowered by up to two metres to align with the garden Two bold extensions were added The first extension filled in the side return with a London stock brick facade and a glazed roof, while the second – a striking black steel and glass pavilion was glazed on three sides and placed along the garden elevation. This new pavilion redefined the building’s relationship with the garden. Its steel-framed glazing created a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior, offering a sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape. At the heart of the plan sits a dramatic, five-metre-tall dining space that acts as a transition from the original entrance hall into the new addition. A large, circular cast-glass window, framed in steel, provides a visual and spatial link between old and new, allowing light and movement to travel through the depth of the home. Throughout the project, a series of black metal elements were introduced as sculptural interventions – each marking moments of transformation within the house. These included the bespoke steel framed circular window, a custom metal staircase, a cylindrical support column, and the striking steel and glass garden pavilion. Together, they formed a coherent architectural language that underscored the project’s bold intent. Our steel windows and doors played a vital role in delivering the project’s vision. The architects chose steel for its refined sight lines and distinctive material character, which helped bridge the gap between the historical context of the building and the bold new additions. The black steel frames provided a crisp contrast to the pale London stock brick and added definition to the glazed pavilion, reinforcing the sense of architectural precision. In particular, the fine steel profiles of the garden room allowed the extension to feel both lightweight and immersive, blurring the boundary between the house and its garden. The architect drew inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement, particularly the work of Walter Gropius, whose approach to functional beauty and industrial materials informed the design of the garden pavilion. Here, our glazing system was used not just for transparency, but as an expressive architectural element. The carefully proportioned panels help to conceal the roof thickness and reinforce the pavilion’s industrial yet abstract character – a deliberate nod to product design and modernist detailing. Sustainability was an important factor in the selection of materials. Our steel systems, made from 99% recycled content and 100% recyclable, aligned with the project’s broader environmental goals. The architects noted that this commitment to material longevity and circularity was central to their decision to use steel. The durability and recyclability of the windows and doors ensured the project met both aesthetic and ethical criteria. This London terrace house now stands as a celebration of contrast – between heritage and innovation, solidity and transparency, tradition and transformation. Our steel windows and doors were not simply components; they were essential tools in crafting a home that is as bold and expressive as it is functional. The result is a home designed for modern family life, where light, space, and materiality come together in perfect harmony.

Our Nashua client needed a radical kitchen, dining room and living room re-design. The dining room was closed off from the kitchen, the living room was very dark and was dominated by lots of dark brick, and the kitchen itself had the original oak cabinets and an ineffective layout. They wanted a very sleek look, and good flow between the rooms. We started by opening up the wall between the dining room and kitchen and getting the refrigerator out of the way of the opening. In the kitchen area, we used Ultracraft frameless cabinetry with clean lines and minimalistic details to maximize storage and provide the look they were going for using maple with a melted brie with brown linen glaze finish. Framing floor to ceiling pantry cabinets with hutches on either side on the wall across from the windows provided storage and made the space flow from the living room to the dining room. New windows that climbed from the Fantasy Brown Leathered Quartzite countertop all the way to the ceiling provided tons of natural light to the space. To further simplify the design, we ran the sheetrock right to the windows without a casing, creating a nice, clean look above the countertop material we used as a windowsill. Full height Estrella Silver backsplash over the cooktop added just the right pop. By resurfacing the old brick fireplace with Golden Sand tile, replacing the hearth with a solid slab of slate, adding windows and built in cabinets on either side of the fireplace, and installing a large French door leading out to the three season room, we brightened up the living room and tied it into the kitchen itself. Creating a recess in the new fireplace for a wide screen TV created a logical furniture placement that made the space as useful as it is attractive. Wide plank, rustic oak flooring throughout the space offset the cabinets beautifully and added to the continuity of the space overall. The clients are thrilled with the look and flow of their new space.

In collaboration with the Lawrenceville Corporation, Rothschild Doyno, and The Urban Redevelopment Authority, EcoCraft Homes is helping to redefine the image of affordable urban housing. Working through a newly defined mechanism called the “Community Land Trust” program Lawrenceville Corporation is pioneering a new standard for community development and affordable home ownership. Phase one of the CLT development consists of 6 new and one renovation unit that are built with materials that are equal to, or often times of a higher quality than the market rate homes that Lawrenceville has become known for. In addition, every CLT home has been designed to seamlessly integrate into existing historical fabric of Upper Lawrenceville by respecting and implementing design elements from contextual neighborhood patterns. The CLT design team’s radically different approach to sustainability, resiliency, and energy efficiency will ensure the affordability of these homes remain intact for generations, challenging the idea that affordability should equate to compromises in the quality of living.

Metal Comp is a galvanized structural steel decking system that fully integrates with our IntegraStone tile system. Metal Comp radically changes the way decks are built because we can now build deck structures that last for generations, while still being cost effective. Metal Comp is: structural, waterproof and a non-combustible decking system that is made from 25 % recycled materials. The integrity of the whole system will remain for generations without shifting, warping or rotting. We create new possibilities for luxury outdoor living. Metal Comp Deck System is manufactured in components that can be assembled and built by certified builders. The Metal Comp Deck System is ordered to size and is delivered with all the components required to build the structure and tile the deck. We remove the “running around” that builders typically face in construction. Our goal is to provide the builder with all the materials that they will need to for the entire job

We gave the bathroom a radically different look infusing it with an elegant transitional style. Vintage white-grey basketweave tiles with a black dot replace the previous flooring. The walls were refinished with a combination of soft gray wall paint and marble patterned white tile. The his and her sink vanity features white cabinetry with abundant storage and a gray patterned countertop. Two large rimless mirrors above the vanity are brightened by white lights. Additional storage has been provided in the form of a white wall mounted cabinet beside the sink vanity, which is great to store towels and other bathroom essentials. A classic oval standalone bathtub and a glass-enclosed walk-in shower stand on a raised floor. We added to the timeless beauty of the space with a crystal candelabra chandelier. A slim long intricately etched decorative wall mirror accompanied with a glass table cart on which vignettes of perfumes and other personal articles have been displayed are stylish additions to the room decor. Project completed by Lighthouse Point interior design firm Barbara Brickell Designs, Serving Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Pompano Beach, Highland Beach, and Delray Beach. For more about Barbara Brickell Designs, click here: http://www.barbarabrickelldesigns.com

We gave the bathroom a radically different look infusing it with an elegant transitional style. Vintage white-grey basketweave tiles with a black dot replace the previous flooring. The walls were refinished with a combination of soft gray wall paint and marble patterned white tile. The his and her sink vanity features white cabinetry with abundant storage and a gray patterned countertop. Two large rimless mirrors above the vanity are brightened by white lights. Additional storage has been provided in the form of a white wall mounted cabinet beside the sink vanity, which is great to store towels and other bathroom essentials. A classic oval standalone bathtub and a glass-enclosed walk-in shower stand on a raised floor. We added to the timeless beauty of the space with a crystal candelabra chandelier. A slim long intricately etched decorative wall mirror accompanied with a glass table cart on which vignettes of perfumes and other personal articles have been displayed are stylish additions to the room decor. Project completed by Lighthouse Point interior design firm Barbara Brickell Designs, Serving Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Pompano Beach, Highland Beach, and Delray Beach. For more about Barbara Brickell Designs, click here: http://www.barbarabrickelldesigns.com

Before the renovation, this 17th century farmhouse was a rabbit warren of small dark rooms with low ceilings. A new owner wanted to keep the character but modernize the house, so CTA obliged, transforming the house completely. The family room, a large but very low ceiling room, was radically transformed by removing the ceiling to expose the roof structure above and rebuilding a more open new stair; the exposed beams were salvaged from an historic barn elsewhere on the property. The kitchen was moved to the former Dining Room, and also opened up to show the vaulted roof. The mud room and laundry were rebuilt to connect the farmhouse to a Barn (See “Net Zero Barn” project), also using salvaged timbers. Original wide plank pine floors were carefully numbered, replaced, and matched where needed. Historic rooms in the front of the house were carefully restored and upgraded, and new bathrooms and other amenities inserted where possible. The project is also a net zero energy project, with solar panels, super insulated walls, and triple glazed windows. CTA also assisted the owner with selecting all interior finishes, furniture, and fixtures. This project won “Best in Massachusetts” at the 2019 International Interior Design Association and was the 2020 Recipient of a Design Citation by the Boston Society of Architects. Photography by Nat Rea

The roof, breezway, and garage where torn off this small cape and a new second floor and two story addition added which more than double the area of this home.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake. Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house. A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging. Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage. Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

Our homeowner started with a deep red wood kitchen and a divided space which really needed brightening and opening up to make the use of space much more efficient. We started by removing a loadbearing wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and installing a new beam. We also opened the wall to the family room to create a unified space. New Wide Plank Luxury vinyl flooring and custom Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry were installed, followed by real "Platinum" granite countertops....stunning! Custom lighting was added to work with the new space and tile backsplash was installed to complete the look. What a radical difference from where we started and a beautiful new look that will thrill the owners for many years! Have a look at the before photos too.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake. Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house. A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging. Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage. Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

Duplex Y is located in a multi apartment building, typical to the Carmel mountain neighborhoods. The building has several entrances due to the slope it sits on. Duplex Y has its own separate entrance and a beautiful view towards Haifa bay and the Golan Heights that can be seen on a clear weather day. The client - a computer high-tech couple, with their two small daughters asked us for a simple and functional design that could remind them of their frequent visits to central and northern Europe. Their request has been accepted. Our planning approach was simple indeed, maybe even simple in a radical way: We followed the principle of clean and ultra minimal spaces, that serve their direct mission only. Complicated geometry of the rooms has been simplified by implementing built-in wood furniture into numerous niches. The most 'complicated' room (due to its broken geometry, narrow proportions and sloped ceiling) has been turned into a kid's room shaped as a clean 'wood box' for fun, games and 'edutainment'. The storage room has been refurbished to maximize it's purpose by creating enough space to store 90% of the entire family's demand. We've tried to avoid unnecessary decoration. 97% of the design has its functional use in addition to its atmospheric qualities. Several elements like the structural cylindrical column were exposed to show their original material - concrete. Photos: Julia Berezina

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope-- The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range. Challenges-- Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions. To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan. To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space. Solutions-- With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door. Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four. On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine. Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

We are delighted to have completed the radical transformation of a tired detached property in South Croydon. When they appointed Granit, our clients were living in the property which had previously been divided into a number of flats. The historic sub-division had resulted in an extremely poor use of space with redundant staircases, kitchens and bathrooms throughout. Our clients sought to reconfigure the property back into a single dwelling for his growing family. Our client had an eye for design and was keen to balance contemporary design whilst maintaining as much of the character of the original house. Maximising natural light, space and establishing a visual and physical connection were also key drivers for the design. Owing to the size of the property, it became apparent that reconfiguration rather than extension provided the solution to meet the brief. A metal clad ‘intervention’ was introduced to the rear facade. This created a strong horizontal element creating a visual balance with the vertical nature of the three storey gable. The metal cladding specified echoed the colour of the red brick string courses tying old with new. Slender frame sliding doors provide access and views of the large garden. The central circulation space was transformed by the introduction of a double height glazed slot wrapping up the rear facade and onto the roof. This allows daylight to permeate into the heart of the otherwise dark deep floor plan. The staircase was reconfigured into a series of landings looking down over the main void space below and out towards the tree canopies at the rear of the garden. The introduction of double pocket doors throughout the ground floor creates a series of interconnected spaces and the whitewashed Larch flooring flows seamlessly from room to room. A bold palette of colours and materials lends character and texture throughout the property. The end result is a spacious yet cosy environment for the family to inhabit for years to come.

Since its debut on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, this 1,800 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath home has undergone a radical transformation. Initially unlivable, the renovation required a complete overhaul that touched every aspect of the house—from foundational components to aesthetic refinements. The interior was completely reimagined, transitioning from a series of small, enclosed spaces to an open, interconnected layout. A prime example of this transformation is the kitchen; once a narrow galley, it is now a spacious open design with modern flat-panel front cabinets in a cool dusty green. Original mahogany wood elements were carefully restored, bridging the home's storied past with its vibrant future. Walnut floors throughout the house add warmth and a touch of modernity, complementing the meticulous restoration of wood paneling and trimming details.

Custom crafted circular railing - note the stamped concrete barn wood floor. This stairs case supplements the main stairs on the opposite end of the lower level.