15 x 16 Covered deck. Tongue in groove pine ceiling. exterior rated ceiling fan with light kits, recessed lighting on all four corners and built in flush mount speakers. Space build by Weddington Custom Homes

The original decks on this house were cantilevered out over a 20' drop down a steep hillside. The inherent weakness of that design is that water sits on top of the cantilevered joists and rots them from the outside and into the house. The solution is to support the decks from the outside and make sure that water has no way in. That is what we did here, supporting the decks on 25' tall steep posts that anchor the decks to the ground and make them impervious to the elements. And with the deep green retrofit, the parents didn't have to worry about toxic chemical off-gassing or large utility bills for as long as the live in the home. Originally built on a 35 degree hillside the deep green retrofit and rebuild because of massive water leaks and mold damage make this one of the greenest homes in California. The home scored 272pts. on the Build it Green Green Point Rated system. and would have placed it at the Platinum level of LEED for Homes, had the homeowners wanted to spend the significant cost to get it LEED rated. With Solar Electric and Solar Thermal and a super insulated shell, the house is close to Net-Zero energy.

Studio by Mak, Kathy Ma http://www.studiobymak.com/#/page/bd05/home/

A view of the home from a mile away, across a deep valley park. The original decks on this house were cantilevered out over a 20' drop down a steep hillside. The inherent weakness of that design is that water sits on top of the cantilevered joists and rots them from the outside and into the house. The solution is to support the decks from the outside and make sure that water has no way in. That is what we did here, supporting the decks on 25' tall steep posts that anchor the decks to the ground and make them impervious to the elements. And with the deep green retrofit, the parents didn't have to worry about toxic chemical off-gassing or large utility bills for as long as the live in the home. Originally built on a 35 degree hillside the deep green retrofit and rebuild because of massive water leaks and mold damage make this one of the greenest homes in California. The home scored 272pts. on the Build it Green Green Point Rated system. and would have placed it at the Platinum level of LEED for Homes, had the homeowners wanted to spend the significant cost to get it LEED rated. With Solar Electric and Solar Thermal and a super insulated shell, the house is close to Net-Zero energy.

At dusk, LED lighting fed by collected and stored solar energy gleams throughout the home and grounds. Frank Baptie Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Tampa with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

At dusk, LED lighting fed by collected and stored solar energy gleams throughout the home and grounds. Frank Baptie Photography
Home design - contemporary home design idea in Tampa

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com Project Entry: Pembrooke Estate Rain Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Sustainable Landscape &60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: The client contracted our company to solve multiple existing drainage problems. In a heavy rain event the existing French drain system would overflow, causing water to pool in the driveway. After investigating the system we found that the capacity of the French drain was undersized for the amount of storm water from the large rain events received in recent years. As a result of our findings and at the request of the homeowner, we designed a storm water management system to capture all storm water from the structures on the property and regenerate the underground aquifers for the volume of a 5.8” rainstorm. In addition to the new drain system, the homeowners wanted a rain garden to provide a backdrop for an existing formal garden, provide a habitat for wildlife, and provide screening from an adjacent neighbor. Throughout the design process many challenges were presented, including an existing gas line, which ran directly through the area that best suited the bioswale. The existence of the gas line caused us to alter the shape and depth of the bioswale in some areas. We also inspected the existing downspouts to make sure there were no obstructions that would impede the system’s efficiency, and then conducted a test pit dig to make sure we had sufficient percolation rates for disposal of storm water. To effectively capture the storm water runoff, the existing downspouts were piped from the main house and the large detached garage to a large catch basin located at the low point in the driveway. The driveway catch basin contains two outlet pipes at different elevations within the basin allowing water from smaller rain events to enter the bioswale and rain garden area to percolate into the soil before excess water overflows into a sediment trap which filters out any debris and is then piped to an underground StormTech® pit to slowly percolate into the ground. The other outlet pipe in the driveway catch basin is used for larger storm water events, taking the water directly to the StormTech® pit. Accepting and slowing the velocity of the storm water, mitigation of erosion, and filtering out pollutants contained in the “first flush” of rainfall are the primary functions of the bioswale and rain garden. Planting these areas with mostly native plant species helps carry out these functions while attracting and providing shelter for wildlife. The ‘Niobe’ weeping willow is the centerpiece of the rain garden, connecting with the axis of the existing formal garden. To screen the neighboring property we chose Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ for its graceful evergreen habit and tolerance of wet sites. ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood and Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ were used for screening as well as winter interest. To provide deciduous structure to the garden Taxodium distichum and Magnolia virginiana were used in conjunction with witch hazel. Mostly native wetland perennials were used due to their tolerance of wet conditions and occasional drought. The area above the StormTech® pit provides space for the client’s family to relax. The rain garden and bioswale provide screening, storm water management, a habitat for wildlife, and plants that enhance the adjacent formal garden. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Example of a country exterior home design in Austin

This L-shaped kitchen is punctuated with modern stainless appliances. The sleek, flat-front cabinets provide the perfect surround for a built-in look. The cool tones are grounded by walnut lowers and gray/brown durable laminate floors. With ReAlta, we are introducing for the first time in Charlotte a fully solar community. Each beautifully detailed home will incorporate low profile solar panels that will collect the sun’s rays to significantly offset the home’s energy usage. Combined with our industry-leading Home Efficiency Ratings (HERS), these solar systems will save a ReAlta homeowner thousands over the life of the home. Credit: Brendan Kahm

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Eagleston holly trees planted and provide by Treeland Nursery.
Photo of a transitional landscaping in Dallas.

The proprietary design of LUXE wedgewire make it the only choice when separating wet areas from dry as the hydraulic function is unsurpassed. Eliminating the spillover at threshold for recommended flow rates of most showers. ALL LUXE linear drain products are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines For Buildings and Facilities Section 4.5.4 specifies that ground and floor grates "shall have spaces no greater than 1/2 in (13 mm) wide in one direction."

Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse is our first “regenerative home,” producing more energy than it consumes. This 3,900 s.f. custom home uses passive solar design, 10.2kW of solar photovoltaics, a ground source heat pump, double wall well-insulated exterior envelope, high performance doors and windows, to achieve a HERS negative 8 rating and Energy Star v.3.0 certification. The interior has low-VOC finishes and custom built-in FSC-certified wood and beetle kill pine cabinets throughout. The site is designed to be very low water use, incorporating permaculture and urban farming, with raised planting beds and a passive solar chicken coop/greenhouse. What makes this project special is its combination of extraordinary sustainability with conventionally attractive, cost-effective design tailored to the owner’s needs.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard concrete paver driveway.

Inspiration for a small industrial l-shaped laminate floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, red backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray countertops and a peninsula

A feat of structural engineering and the perfect destination for outdoor living! Rustic and Modern design come together seamlessly to create an atmosphere of style and comfort. This spacious outdoor lounge features a Dekton fireplace and one of a kind angular ceiling system. Custom dining and coffee tables are made of raw steel topped by Dekton surfaces. Steel elements are repeated on the suspension of the reclaimed mantle and large 4’x4’ steel X’s for storing firewood. Sofa and Lounge Chairs in teak with worry-free outdoor rated fabric make living easy. Let’s sail away! Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

EDGEMOOR HOUSE Located in the Edgemoor neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland, this new home draws influence from the Bauhaus movement. Clean crisp spaces with oversized steel doors and windows pull the outside in to create spaces filled with light and warmth. Photo Credit: Tom Arban Photography

Rodwin Architecture and Skycastle Homes Location: Boulder, CO, United States This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse is our first “regenerative home,” producing more energy than it consumes. This 3,900 s.f. custom home uses passive solar design, 10.2kW of solar photovoltaics, a ground source heat pump, double wall well-insulated exterior envelope, high performance doors and windows, to achieve a HERS negative 8 rating and Energy Star v.3.0 certification. The interior has low-VOC finishes and custom built-in FSC-certified wood and beetle kill pine cabinets throughout. The site is designed to be very low water use, incorporating permaculture and urban farming, with raised planting beds and a passive solar chicken coop/greenhouse. What makes this project special is its combination of extraordinary sustainability with conventionally attractive, cost-effective design tailored to the owner’s needs.