The front overhang helps to define the front entry, lapped over the vertical stone element. The stone component splits the window grid, making it look as if the windows were larger than they are. This gives the feel of expansiveness while reducing the size of the windows, making the entire facade more energy efficient.

For all who have been searching for attractive, energy-efficient, high-performance vinyl windows, let us clear the way. The Endure™ Window Series has been independently tested to meet strict energy efficiency standards and is ENERGY STAR® certified. Endure brand windows come standard with the highest-quality frame and sash designs and ComforTech™ Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance—for less heat loss, warmer glass temperatures and reduced interior condensation.

Mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor living room photo in San Francisco with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

This French aesthetic creates a romantic and inviting ambiance to all visitors.
Home design - modern home design idea

This project began as a tiny cramped turquoise pink tiled Master Bath. We completely removed all the walls and existing tile. Better efficiency was gained by using an adjoining linen closet. The guest bedroom closet that was luxuriously large was reduced enough to create an upstairs laundry. You can see that room through the door. Photographer Tom Kessler

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.

Existing patio slabs surrounding the pool were removed and replaced with limestone slabs.
Elegant pool photo in Austin

Open plan Living and Dining room from kitchen. High ceiling and expansive glazing capture the North view into the Sedona red rocks. The north orientation and high efficiency wood windows w/ alum clad exteriors reduce direct solar gain.

- Premium-quality siding with a modern lap design. - Serene sage green color for a natural and calming aesthetic. - Durable material resistant to weather, fading, and wear. - Crisp white trim for a polished and distinctive contrast. - Low maintenance with easy care for lasting beauty. - Energy-efficient performance to help reduce heating and cooling costs.

This light-filled contemporary bath contains a standalone tub, walk in shower and commode. Tuck Fauntleroy Photography
Transitional master beige tile freestanding bathtub photo with white walls

Bedroom 2 to have double pane, insulated window. Clean white interior wall finish and light grey floor finish. Central light and all recessed lights to be L.E.D. for reduced energy usage.

Mid-sized elegant beige two-story stone exterior home photo with a hip roof

The Duette® Architella® Honeycomb Shade Collection provides a high level of energy efficiency with its innovative honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design, reducing energy loss up to 40% at the window.

Material expression and exterior finishes were carefully selected to reduce the apparent size of the house, last through many years, and add warmth and human scale to the home. The unique siding system is made up of different widths and depths of western red cedar, complementing the vision of the structure's wings which are balanced, not symmetrical. The exterior materials include a burn brick base, powder-coated steel, cedar, acid-washed concrete and Corten steel planters.

Lafayette Cellular Shades are stylish and are energy efficient window treatments. These help to reduce heat loss & heat gain and are available in a wide variety of colors and varying translucency. The cellular shades featured here are with a top-down-bottom-up configuration and you can easily adjust these shades for light and privacy control. Edgewater, New Jersey.

The Landsdown Collection offers four traditional designs, 11 color choices and 21 decorative window options. This durable low-maintenance collection provides section interfaces designed to reduce serious finger and hand injuries.

Irvin Serrano
Large contemporary brown one-story wood house exterior idea in Portland Maine with a shed roof

Private garden.
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Sunlight and home orientation are a big factor when considering how to build an energy efficient Net Zero home. Exposure to the sun has a lot of implications for heating and cooling. This was the case with our clients' home which was southeast facing with a bank of large triple pane windows. That provided very bright, insulated spaces that got a lot of sunlight, reducing the need for heating in the winter time. For the hot summer days, the blinds help to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight, while the triple pane windows help to insulate the cool air, reducing the need for A/C cooling and leading to year round energy conservation.