Our goal with all of these designs was to creatively exceed customers expectations while reducing water usage, keeping costs down and delivering a beautiful garden that would stand the test of time. Wherever possible our hardscape elements are permeable, and existing healthy plantings and trees remain. All of our landscape designs focus on bringing seasonal color, texture and scent to your garden spaces.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

A sleek modern kitchen accommodates family gatherings with ease. The triple glazed tilt-turn windows throughout the home provide varied types of ventilation. Tilting the window "in" enables hot air to quickly escape through the top portion of the window while reducing significant breezes from coming into the home. Turning the window "into" the room opens the entire window panel allowing ample air flow for maximum ventilation. This dual option enables precise control of the indoor environment! James R Salomon Photograpy

Whether it’s arthritis, joint or back pain, restless leg syndrome, muscle injuries or fibromyalgia, hot tubs are a proven form of chronic pain relief. The heat of the water increases blood flow and relaxes the body, while the massaging action of the jets and the water’s buoyancy loosen muscle tension and soothe sore joints. The New England Journal of Medicine (08-16-1999) found that, after just 10 days, patients with Type 2 Diabetes who used hot tubs 30 minutes a day/6 days per week required reduced doses of insulin, lost weight, slept better and showed distinct decreases in plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin. Hot tubs can be a great fix for those suffering from insomnia, helping your body to wind down before bed and get the natural sleep you need. Even if you don’t suffer from chronic sleep problems, the Better Sleep Council recommends establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, such as soaking in hot water to help maintain a healthy sleep cycle. According to the Council’s findings, warm water releases muscle tension and increases blood flow, both of which contribute to a relaxed and deeper, more comfortable sleep. Whether it’s a new exercise routine or an unusually active day on your feet, most of us know the “day after” feeling of sore, overworked muscles that make it hurt to move, period. The water pressure from hot tub jets relieves muscle tightness and soreness by removing lactic acid, opening up the blood vessels and promoting the flow of endorphins. LPGA Sports Medicine Director Caroline Nichols and former President of the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine Dr. James Andrews recommend hydrotherapeutic activity for athletes at every level. Nichols says that hot tubs especially help with recovery since jets focus on overused muscle and joint regions, while Andrews supports hydrotherapy as a good tool for improved circulation, sensory impulses and stiff joints. Whether you’re looking to alleviate stress, feel healthier or simply spend more time with your loved ones, you’d be amazed at how as little as 10 minutes in a hot tub can help you relax and put everything in perspective. There are hot tubs for every type of user, regardless of whether it’s just you or it’s the entire gang piling in, looking for some much-needed relief after a long day.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

Our goal with all of these designs was to creatively exceed customers expectations while reducing water usage, keeping costs down and delivering a beautiful garden that would stand the test of time. Wherever possible our hardscape elements are permeable, and existing healthy plantings and trees remain. All of our landscape designs focus on bringing seasonal color, texture and scent to your garden spaces.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

We love living in a healthy environment and want to keep that way for generations to come. We are experts in water conservation and using our precious water resources the best ways possible. Installing rainwater tanks to catch run-off from your property’s roofs and other hardscapes is a great way to reduce the demand of pumping fresh water in to irrigate the landscape. These systems are sized from 55 gallons – 50,000 gallons and beyond, all sized according to the site demands.

Living room - traditional living room idea in Chicago

Our goal with all of these designs was to creatively exceed customers expectations while reducing water usage, keeping costs down and delivering a beautiful garden that would stand the test of time. Wherever possible our hardscape elements are permeable, and existing healthy plantings and trees remain. All of our landscape designs focus on bringing seasonal color, texture and scent to your garden spaces.

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.

The monolithic mirror adds more than style, reflecting more light into the room, and reducing the need for lights. When illumination is needed, the orb shaped light fixture on the mirror acquires a floating quality above the sleek custom designed bamboo vanity and seashell limestone counter. The low energy fan quietly maintains a dry and healthy environment. The water saving toilet and re-imagined chrome heating grill complete the green and Zen direction of the room, making a simple and natural haven-like space.