Search results for "Reduce performances" in Home Design Ideas

This historic home in Oak Park was in need of updating, with deferred maintenance inside and out requiring extensive work. This created an opportunity to rethink the house for a modern family in the 21st century, with an updated plan, a strong connection to the yard from the kitchen and new mudroom, covered patio, and flexible rooms for work-at-home, gym, or guest functions. The insulation and mechanical systems were upgraded to Phius levels, and a solar PV array added to meet annual net zero energy performance. With minimal upfront energy expenditure, the home’s operational carbon was reduced by 100%, and the house is a delightful place for the young family to grow into.

Mid century modern kitchen remodel with bold color accent.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern l-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, white countertops and stainless steel appliances
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern l-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, white countertops and stainless steel appliances

This kitchen is a combination White Matte Laquer Laminate and Low Pressure Laminate.
Matte Laquer Laminate is a specialty laminate with a solid core, providing continuous colour, even on the edges on your finished product. MLL lets you create visually crisp and stunning designs with no visible seams at the edges. This finish reduces the appearance of smears, smudges and streaks creating a smooth and silky texture,
LPL is a durable material with high-performance characteristics and color throughout allows you the flexibility to produce even the most complex designs with sharp details.
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Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic.
The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading.
The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal.
The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

CLTHouse is one Washington’s first homes of its kind. Constructed using Passive House techniques and built to exceed BUILT GREEN 4*requirements, the single-family home will deliver healthy indoor air, thermal comfort and easy accessibility to the city. Designed by atelierjones, the Madison Park home is built using cross laminate timber (CLT), a high performance material composed of layered wood and non-toxic glue to maximize energy efficiency, reduce waste and increase structural durability. The unique 1,485sf, 3bd/2ba home will feature a stunning cantilevered second story to provide space for the ground-level carport paved with salvaged foundation bricks, shou sugi ban fir siding and a rooftop terrace with neighborhood views and built-in planters for urban gardening.
Images courtesy Lara Swimmer Photography

To ensure the longevity of this project proper underlayments were to the new roof decking. The project also entailed installation of a new Vermont S1 quality single width slate roof system which was 's performed by Fania roofings steep slope slate roofing team.A decorative pattern which was designed by the homeowner was chosen to accent this alluring slate roof system that will last several generations.All penetrations and flashings would be installed with 16oz Red Copper, which would be performed by Fania copper smiths.A new 16oz red copper half round gutter and leader system was the preferred choice and was installed with reduced spaced circle hangers. To prevent damage to the high-quality gutter and leader system a two-tier snow retention system was installed at eaves.
Photos courtesy of The Fania Roofing Company.

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

Increased Energy Efficiency and Comfort
One of the primary goals of this behemoth renovation project was to enhance the energy efficiency, comfort, and health benefits for the homeowner. To achieve this, Master Edge Homes incorporated several features and upgrades. Smart features like thermostats preserve ultimate customizable comfort. We installed high-efficiency furnaces and energy-efficient windows to ensure optimal thermal performance and reduce energy consumption. We used LED pot lights and mirrors to add a modern touch while contributing to energy savings. Low-flow fixtures were installed to promote water conservation, while the infusion of natural light throughout the home enhances the overall well-being of the occupants and reduces the need for artificial light.

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington.
Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio.
Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater.
Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass.
Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck.
Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space.
Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy.
Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design
Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design
Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio
Photos: Eric Roth Photography

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Eric Roth Photo

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

The open space plan on the main level of the Prairie Style home is deceiving of the actual separation of spaces. This home packs a punch with a private hot tub, craft room, library, and even a theater. The interior of the home features the same attention to place, as the natural world is evident in the use of granite, basalt, walnut, poplar, and natural river rock throughout. Floor to ceiling windows in strategic locations eliminates the sense of compression on the interior, while the overall window design promotes natural daylighting and cross-ventilation in nearly every space of the home.
Glo’s A5 Series in double pane was selected for the high performance values and clean, minimal frame profiles. High performance spacers, double pane glass, multiple air seals, and a larger continuous thermal break combine to reduce convection and eliminate condensation, ultimately providing energy efficiency and thermal performance unheard of in traditional aluminum windows. The A5 Series provides smooth operation and long-lasting durability without sacrificing style for this Prairie Style home.

This custom-designed home, a collaborative effort between our team and our clients, is tailored perfectly for their retirement while offering ample space for their children and extended family to visit during ski and biking seasons. Nestled to maximize stunning southern views and overlook the nearby ski hill, the home seamlessly blends practicality with beauty.
A standout feature is the loft space above the garage, designed as a flexible area that can be transformed into a workout studio, yoga retreat, crafting space, or even a cozy nook for writing memoirs, all while enjoying the mountain views.
Built to the highest performance standards, the house includes triple-pane windows, enhanced insulation, and a low-consumption heating and cooling system to ensure comfort throughout the year. Its small footprint reduces both energy demands and operational costs.
All millwork and cabinetry were meticulously crafted in-house by our team of skilled artisans, adding to the home’s unique charm. The combination of modern open spaces with traditional architectural arches creates a harmonious blend of design concepts, making this home both timeless and inviting.

The open space plan on the main level of the Prairie Style home is deceiving of the actual separation of spaces. This home packs a punch with a private hot tub, craft room, library, and even a theater. The interior of the home features the same attention to place, as the natural world is evident in the use of granite, basalt, walnut, poplar, and natural river rock throughout. Floor to ceiling windows in strategic locations eliminates the sense of compression on the interior, while the overall window design promotes natural daylighting and cross-ventilation in nearly every space of the home.
Glo’s A5 Series in double pane was selected for the high performance values and clean, minimal frame profiles. High performance spacers, double pane glass, multiple air seals, and a larger continuous thermal break combine to reduce convection and eliminate condensation, ultimately providing energy efficiency and thermal performance unheard of in traditional aluminum windows. The A5 Series provides smooth operation and long-lasting durability without sacrificing style for this Prairie Style home.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington.
Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio.
Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater.
Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass.
Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck.
Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space.
Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy.
Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design
Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design
Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio
Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Inspiration for a rustic brown one-story wood gable roof remodel in Seattle
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