A complete ‘to the studs’ sustainable renovation of an early 1960’s mountain residence originally designed by Robert Calhoun Smith, final architect for the National Cathedral. This home now meets the Silver rating criteria for LEED for Homes, currently under development by the USGBC. Perched on the first ridge of the Appalachians west of Washington D.C. with a beautiful valley view, the house faces slightly east of south. This orientation makes it ideal for a new 28 foot window seat acting as a passive solar window wall with a carefully designed sun shade. Energy usage was reduced further by utilizing a multi-well geothermal HVAC system and installing a Energy Recovery Ventilator with a high-performance super-insulated envelope. Extensive clerestory windows and a light interior color palette negates the need for lighting during the day, even when the mountain is fogged in. The original interior vertical paneling, a dark stained mahogany, was resurfaced and recycled as exterior horizontal siding. All wood trim and new decking are FSC certified. Scott Smith Photography

KETHO. THE START OF A WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP. | As modern life places greater demands upon us, we, in turn, also start to demand more. These demands also extend to the bathroom, which we expect to be attractive, inviting and also functional. Ketho takes this development into account: designed by Christian Werner, the new range of bathroom furniture is characterised by clear forms, well thought-out functionality and comfortable quality. The characteristic, ergonomic handles feature throughout the range and give Ketho its true originality. The reduced look of the range is fl exible enough to suit any modern bathroom ambience. Combined with good value for money, Ketho becomes the ideal range for first-time buyers. | Design by Christian Werner | Available at www.ShopStudio41.com

Prior to our start, the Client hired a lawn company to mow the 4 acres that weren't horse pasture. Each week, pasture grasses, which "blade out" at about 6-8", were mowed to 3" All that remained were the stalks. This left the property scalped, brown and heading south. We developed a grass management plan to do several things: increase vigor; green it up; and carve a site composition into the landscape. What you see here blends gorgeously with those mountains beyond. There is no artificial separation. Over time, mowed areas were allowed to grow through the summer, which encouraged seasonal change through naturally-occurring and introduced wildflowers, forbes and shrubs. From spring green up through the autumn, the landscape slowly evolved from dormancy to seas of waving grass embracing the different aspects of the landscape. It was breathtaking. It also significantly reduced lawn maintenance costs.

We were asked by the client to develop the rear of the property for entertaining family & friends. The wish list included a pool, a generous deck, a hot tub, a lounge area, a sunning deck, and a screened room retreat located within the trees. Pulling off the home’s contemporary architecture, we kept the design linear and simple. An 18 x 36 gunite pool with wedding cake style steps is the visual centerpiece of this back yard sanctuary. Two bluestone terraces are on either side of the pool; one supporting the chaise lounges that face south for optimum tanning while the other is home to the dining area that also provides a transition to the rest of the yard. Large bluestone steppers with lawn joints connect both areas without the heavy feel of a solid walkway. The existing deck was modified which allowed us to sink the hot tub into the frame. This reduced the overall height and kept the sight lines from the home’s interior intact. A vertical cedar screen was built for added privacy and that same material, albeit proportionally smaller, was used to wrap the hot tub for a cohesive look.

The photovoltaic panels mounted on the garage roof provide more power on an annual basis then the home uses, enough to partially charge their electric car! The smaller home size allowed the couple to maximize their yard space. http://www.kipnisarch.com Kipnis Architecture + Planning

Stepping into this courtyard melts your worries away. The custom water feature signifies it is a place of peace and tranquility. The client requested a low maintenance space that coordinated with the architecture of the home. We developed a design for a classic style courtyard with a hint of French countryside. We integrated existing elements with a travertine fountain, limestone stepping stones, green island ficus, waxleaf ligustrum topiary, flap jacks, blue chalk sticks, and a white bougainvillea . The running water from the fountain creates a white noise that reduces the impact of nearby traffic. This courtyard has zero lawn, is water efficient, and is low maintenance. But best of all, the clients love their new space.

KETHO. THE START OF A WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP. | As modern life places greater demands upon us, we, in turn, also start to demand more. These demands also extend to the bathroom, which we expect to be attractive, inviting and also functional. Ketho takes this development into account: designed by Christian Werner, the new range of bathroom furniture is characterised by clear forms, well thought-out functionality and comfortable quality. The characteristic, ergonomic handles feature throughout the range and give Ketho its true originality. The reduced look of the range is fl exible enough to suit any modern bathroom ambience. Combined with good value for money, Ketho becomes the ideal range for first-time buyers. | Design by Christian Werner | Available at www.ShopStudio41.com

Stepping into this courtyard melts your worries away. The custom water feature signifies it is a place of peace and tranquility. The client requested a low maintenance space that coordinated with the architecture of the home. We developed a design for a classic style courtyard with a hint of French countryside. We integrated existing elements with a travertine fountain, limestone stepping stones, green island ficus, waxleaf ligustrum topiary, flap jacks, blue chalk sticks, and a white bougainvillea . The running water from the fountain creates a white noise that reduces the impact of nearby traffic. This courtyard has zero lawn, is water efficient, and is low maintenance. But best of all, the clients love their new space.

Stepping into this courtyard melts your worries away. The custom water feature signifies it is a place of peace and tranquility. The client requested a low maintenance space that coordinated with the architecture of the home. We developed a design for a classic style courtyard with a hint of French countryside. We integrated existing elements with a travertine fountain, limestone stepping stones, green island ficus, waxleaf ligustrum topiary, flap jacks, blue chalk sticks, and a white bougainvillea . The running water from the fountain creates a white noise that reduces the impact of nearby traffic. This courtyard has zero lawn, is water efficient, and is low maintenance. But best of all, the clients love their new space.

Stepping into this courtyard melts your worries away. The custom water feature signifies it is a place of peace and tranquility. The client requested a low maintenance space that coordinated with the architecture of the home. We developed a design for a classic style courtyard with a hint of French countryside. We integrated existing elements with a travertine fountain, limestone stepping stones, green island ficus, waxleaf ligustrum topiary, flap jacks, blue chalk sticks, and a white bougainvillea . The running water from the fountain creates a white noise that reduces the impact of nearby traffic. This courtyard has zero lawn, is water efficient, and is low maintenance. But best of all, the clients love their new space.

We enjoyed transforming this basement from a basic floor plan into a level with a media room, wine room, bedroom, kitchen & bar! We conveniently located the bar between the TV and the kegerator, and the galvalume paneling developed out of the clients’ Australian inspired design sense. We also incorporated the existing posts and beams into the design, which served as a way to, both, add value and reduce cost.

Designed for the lifestyle and budget of a young married couple and growing family, this home offers a viable alternative to the generic speculative home. Occupying a small leftover developer site, just under four tenths of an acre at the end of a suburban cul-de-sac, the Lanning Residence site is anchored by a one hundred year old oak tree. The parcel, once undesirable to developers and their speculative plans, became the inspiration for the project form. Acting as both designers and builders, the decision was made early to utilize a strategy typical to most suburban construction; maximizing square footage while minimizing the building perimeter. An analysis of the surrounding suburban fabric revealed that the adjoining property lines were heavily planted. Views and window placement were organized to take advantage of the adjacent landscape while maximizing natural light. The house program is distributed within two main volumes that are connected by a translucent circulation volume. The spacious interior volumes, large windows, plywood shear walls, sheetrock, and simple details allowed for a light construction budget. Spray foam insulation and well designed mechanical systems allowed the family to reduce their monthly utility bills by over half, creating a far more energy efficient lifestyle.

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include: • AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf • ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments • AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced • Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits • A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance • Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy • AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties. • AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance. • Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins” Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By: Mike Harkrider ForeverLawn Austin 9601 Gray Blvd. Austin, Texas 78758 512.310.7320 office

Butler Developments worked as a general contractor on this two story custom home in Pinetop, AZ. Coordinating project managers for design and multiple specialists we built the home from start to finish to the owner's specifications. The exterior design consists of a combination of masonry on the lower level and shingle siding on the second level. The modern rustic look matches the natural materials and colors used in the support beams, the brick driveway, natural wood doors and shutters, and abundant trees on the lot. This entryway is solid and well lit with yellow bulbs to reduce insect active. We switched to brighter lighting on the porch for ease of entry and security at the door. The natural garage door adds a touch of brighter color and allows for easy parking or storage. If the homeowner chooses exterior parking, the extended entry allows them to avoid the elements between the interior and their vehicle.

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Chicago

Tommy Hurt
Doorless shower - small coastal gray tile mosaic tile floor doorless shower idea in Jacksonville with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Designed for the lifestyle and budget of a young married couple and growing family, this home offers a viable alternative to the generic speculative home. Occupying a small leftover developer site, just under four tenths of an acre at the end of a suburban cul-de-sac, the Lanning Residence site is anchored by a one hundred year old oak tree. The parcel, once undesirable to developers and their speculative plans, became the inspiration for the project form. Acting as both designers and builders, the decision was made early to utilize a strategy typical to most suburban construction; maximizing square footage while minimizing the building perimeter. An analysis of the surrounding suburban fabric revealed that the adjoining property lines were heavily planted. Views and window placement were organized to take advantage of the adjacent landscape while maximizing natural light. The house program is distributed within two main volumes that are connected by a translucent circulation volume. The spacious interior volumes, large windows, plywood shear walls, sheetrock, and simple details allowed for a light construction budget. Spray foam insulation and well designed mechanical systems allowed the family to reduce their monthly utility bills by over half, creating a far more energy efficient lifestyle.

This early 20th century Indianapolis, IN basement remodel was in desperate need of help. The original and still operating hydronic radiant heating system had its plumbing configured without regard to any other use of the space. Fearful of harming the aged system and the high cost of doing so, these Clients were adamant that the existing system remain intact. Architect Lee Constantine developed a design that maintained the existing heating system while creating "niches" around the perimeter that would conceal the unsightly plumbing. Additionally, by removing free-standing structural supporting posts, amore flexible and inviting space was achieved. Because of an already low ceiling condition, the floor-ceiling structure above was kept exposed, painted and highlighted with indirect lighting to avoid further reducing the ceiling height. Constantine incorporated "clouds" on this ceiling to conceal certain existing components that either were cost prohibitive to relocate or couldn't be relocated. These "clouds"become a "visual element" through their geometry and hidden "indirect" light source rather than an undesirable complication. Now this family entertains frequently in the basement and reports "it doesn't feel like we're in a basement anymore"