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.

An open floor plan with high ceilings and large windows adds to the contemporary style of this home. The view to the outdoors creates a direct connection to the homes outdoor living spaces and the lake beyond. Photo by Jacob Bodkin. Architecture by James LaRue Architects.

Country 3/4 subway tile black floor alcove shower photo in Chicago with open cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

An incredibly fun party pool, large natural boulder swimming pool with a flowing free formed shape, waterfalls and custom fire features. A custom addition second floor balcony was constructed to feature a water slide from the second floor. Under the custom deck is a custom fireplace, outdoor licing and a custon gourmet outdoor kitchen and bar. A large fire pit detination area overlooks the property. A beautiful deep blue pebble tec plaster and a lush green oasis landscape complete this project.

The master bathroom at the modern texas prefab.
Urban master bathroom photo in Austin with an integrated sink and concrete countertops

An incredibly fun party pool, large natural boulder swimming pool with a flowing free formed shape, waterfalls and custom fire features. A custom addition second floor balcony was constructed to feature a water slide from the second floor. Under the custom deck is a custom fireplace, outdoor licing and a custon gourmet outdoor kitchen and bar. A large fire pit detination area overlooks the property. A beautiful deep blue pebble tec plaster and a lush green oasis landscape complete this project.

TAA addressed the client's desire to have a second floor laundry room - and located it just outside the master bedroom. This laundry zone is convenient for every family member and provides a bright, convenient place to perform weekly chores. Another custom mosaic tile floor was installed to complement the other two bathrooms on this level. Lynda Jeub - Photography

This lakefront diamond in the rough lot was waiting to be discovered by someone with a modern naturalistic vision and passion. Maintaining an eco-friendly, and sustainable build was at the top of the client priority list. Designed and situated to benefit from passive and active solar as well as through breezes from the lake, this indoor/outdoor living space truly establishes a symbiotic relationship with its natural surroundings. The pie-shaped lot provided significant challenges with a street width of 50ft, a steep shoreline buffer of 50ft, as well as a powerline easement reducing the buildable area. The client desired a smaller home of approximately 2500sf that juxtaposed modern lines with the free form of the natural setting. The 250ft of lakefront afforded 180-degree views which guided the design to maximize this vantage point while supporting the adjacent environment through preservation of heritage trees. Prior to construction the shoreline buffer had been rewilded with wildflowers, perennials, utilization of clover and meadow grasses to support healthy animal and insect re-population. The inclusion of solar panels as well as hydroponic heated floors and wood stove supported the owner’s desire to be self-sufficient. Core ten steel was selected as the predominant material to allow it to “rust” as it weathers thus blending into the natural environment.

This home office is a brand new addition to a home. This once single story home needed a little more room. An Addition to expand and create a second level happened by adding a staircase and creating this new room. A large window was added to soak in and enjoy that San Diego view. Photos by Preview First

Second floor galley-style laundry room.
Dedicated laundry room - large transitional galley porcelain tile dedicated laundry room idea in Milwaukee with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Master suite balcony Alon Toker
Patio - mediterranean patio idea in Los Angeles with a fire pit

Inspiration for a transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile marble floor and gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in Seattle with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Shop the Look, See the Photo Tour here: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2016/4/4/modern-mountain-home-tour Watch the Webisode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwvqrNPjhU Travis J Photography

Transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and white backsplash

Architectural advisement, Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co Photography by Sarah Elliott See the feature in Rue Magazine

Master Bathroom Room faces the street, and windows are set high for privacy. Construction by CG&S Design-Build Photo: Tre Dunham, Fine Focus Photography

Attics to Basements Building and Renovations, Inc
Example of a mid-sized classic master carpeted bedroom design in Minneapolis with gray walls

Danes Custom Homes
Living room - large french country open concept living room idea in Dallas

We choose to highlight this project because even though it is a more traditional design style its light neutral color palette represents the beach lifestyle of the south bay. Our relationship with this family started when they attended one of our complimentary educational seminars to learn more about the design / build approach to remodeling. They had been working with an architect and were having trouble getting their vision to translate to the plans. They were looking to add on to their south Redondo home in a manner that would allow for seamless transition between their indoor and outdoor space. Design / Build ended up to be the perfect solution to their remodeling need. As the project started coming together and our clients were able to visualize their dream, they trusted us to add the adjacent bathroom remodel as a finishing touch. In keeping with our light and warm palette we selected ocean blue travertine for the floor and installed a complimentary tile wainscot. The tile wainscot is comprised of hand-made ceramic crackle tile accented with Lunada Bay Selenium Silk blend glass mosaic tile. However the piéce de résistance is the frameless shower enclosure with a wave cut top.