Elzeli, an interior designer and past pupil of our Garden Design School, had a clear idea of what she wanted for her Garden space. After renovating her home, she called us in to help her create modern garden spaces to compliment her new exquisite house. Her front garden was mass planted in blocks to compliment the modern clean cut look of her house and reduce on maintenance, with paving details between and built up planters to give structure to the space and create a striking entrance. Her back area was planted up with Statice, guara and wispy flowering plants along the boundary fence while closer to the pool an entertainment area, strategic niches left open and planted up with feature plants such as echevarias, cycads and silver birches.

Elzeli, an interior designer and past pupil of our Garden Design School, had a clear idea of what she wanted for her Garden space. After renovating her home, she called us in to help her create modern garden spaces to compliment her new exquisite house. Her front garden was mass planted in blocks to compliment the modern clean cut look of her house and reduce on maintenance, with paving details between and built up planters to give structure to the space and create a striking entrance. Her back area was planted up with Statice, guara and wispy flowering plants along the boundary fence while closer to the pool an entertainment area, strategic niches left open and planted up with feature plants such as echevarias, cycads and silver birches.

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.

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

Set within a mature wooded setting in Elk River, this project focused on introducing structure and durability while maintaining a natural aesthetic. We installed a custom retaining wall system to define grade transitions and create usable space near the deck. A curved patio area with integrated stone detailing anchors the backyard and provides a clean, low-maintenance surface for gathering. Decorative rock beds were incorporated to reduce upkeep while complementing the wooded surroundings. The result is a structured, functional outdoor space that blends hardscape craftsmanship with the natural landscape.

Elzeli, an interior designer and past pupil of our Garden Design School, had a clear idea of what she wanted for her Garden space. After renovating her home, she called us in to help her create modern garden spaces to compliment her new exquisite house. Her front garden was mass planted in blocks to compliment the modern clean cut look of her house and reduce on maintenance, with paving details between and built up planters to give structure to the space and create a striking entrance. Her back area was planted up with Statice, guara and wispy flowering plants along the boundary fence while closer to the pool an entertainment area, strategic niches left open and planted up with feature plants such as echevarias, cycads and silver birches.

A case study on delivering BIM-coordinated, code-compliant construction documents for a 4-story modular container-based residential building in California. Covers the challenges of documenting an unconventional Type V-B, R-2 occupancy structure from a limited schematic CAD input, and the solutions applied: 3D Revit modeling, structured BIM coordination across architectural and MEP disciplines, Navisworks clash detection, and FBC 2023 code compliance. The project resulted in a fully coordinated permit set and CD set, reducing on-site conflicts and accelerating the preconstruction timeline. Prepared by Gsource Technologies, a global AEC outsourcing firm offering BIM coordination, architectural drafting, and construction documentation services: https://www.gsourcedata.com/case-studies/precise-construction-documents-created-for-18000-sq-ft-residential-container-building/?

Coast provides stylish relaxation, thanks to the continuous, enveloping line joining back and armrests, which makes for comfortable,informal sitting. Its slim, modest structure blends perfectly with the large, soft cushion on the seat. The sofa can be combined with a chaise-longue in the same style as the rest of the collection: a large, comfortable cushion, half surrounded by a slender structure closing it in. The pouffes in the Coast collection can be combined with the different sizes of sofa to increase their comfort. Some pieces can be used as single beds by turning the seat cushion over. The collection also includes an armchair and a series of sofas of reduced depth, allowing the comfort and elegant appearance of the Coast to be enjoyed even when space is limited.

The 12-degree roof gradient effectively avoids rainwater pooling on the roof surface, reducing long-term moisture erosion on frames and sealing parts. 2.0mm thick aluminum profiles ensure stable wind resistance and structural durability under outdoor temperature changes. Powder-coated aluminum surface resists rust and UV fading. Clean minimalist modern lines coordinate well with contemporary residential architecture. Optional configurations include zip screen side enclosures, LED strip lights and ceiling fans to form a fully enclosed outdoor room.

Elzeli, an interior designer and past pupil of our Garden Design School, had a clear idea of what she wanted for her Garden space. After renovating her home, she called us in to help her create modern garden spaces to compliment her new exquisite house. Her front garden was mass planted in blocks to compliment the modern clean cut look of her house and reduce on maintenance, with paving details between and built up planters to give structure to the space and create a striking entrance. Her back area was planted up with Statice, guara and wispy flowering plants along the boundary fence while closer to the pool an entertainment area, strategic niches left open and planted up with feature plants such as echevarias, cycads and silver birches.

Minimalist gardens rely on strong architectural elements and hardscapes to bring the beauty of an outdoor space without demanding lush, heavy plantings and, hence reducing maintenance. The concept is to bring what you expect of a traditional garden… color, texture, balance, harmony, comfort, etc., into an outdoor space that still stimulates your senses but rely on fewer elements to create beauty. Repetition is the key word when planning minimalist gardens. Common elements used in a minimalist garden include plants with strong architectural features, hardscape structures, straight or graceful curve lines, gravels, water and strong focal point like a modern, powerful artwork piece or sculpture.

Set within a mature wooded setting in Elk River, this project focused on introducing structure and durability while maintaining a natural aesthetic. We installed a custom retaining wall system to define grade transitions and create usable space near the deck. A curved patio area with integrated stone detailing anchors the backyard and provides a clean, low-maintenance surface for gathering. Decorative rock beds were incorporated to reduce upkeep while complementing the wooded surroundings. The result is a structured, functional outdoor space that blends hardscape craftsmanship with the natural landscape.

Cal Comfort Insulating Windows, Inc. began in 1982 as a company that primarily focused on weatherizing homes and commercial buildings, windows being more of a problem than a solution. Cal Comfort Windows, Inc. specialized in conscientiously installing windows and doors. Insulating, weather-stripping and correcting structural flaws were the best way to improve energy efficiency and reduce power bills. We serve Modesto, Turlock, Stockton, and the surrounding area.

ShadeFX worked with the architect from the design stages and specified three 20’x10’ motorized retractable shades to cover the homeowners’ new outdoor dining and barbecue area. The combination of a reduced canopy drop, custom brackets and neutral-toned canopy fabric completes the traditional look of the outdoor patio area.

Interior transition for existing home to addition. First floor walk thru & stairs to second floor. Closets reduced & laundry refinished.
Large contemporary beige two-story vinyl and clapboard gable roof idea in Bridgeport with a shingle roof and a brown roof

Final Sale! Price reduced below wholesale. FIRST CAME - FIRST SERVED SPECIAL ORDER 8-16 WEEKS Made in Italy by SPAR Modern Italian Wall Unit Logika LK18 by Spar. This modern modular wall unit consists of individual pieces that can be arranged to create an excellent design solution for any living room. All the modules can be arranged in any composition, so you could either shorten or enlarge the TV area according to your needs. The entertainment center provides an abundance of storage space, both hidden and exposed, to aid with organization. The Wall Unit Composition LK18 is shown in the next colors/finishes: Structure - White Ash finish; Front - Mink Gloss lacquer. PLEASE NOTE: The Logika is a modular wall unit line offering a variety of units in different sizes. You can order this wall unit either as a complete composition, as shown in the main picture, or build your own composition according to your own dimensions and preferences. Please contact our office about details on the customization of this wall unit. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure: Made with particle board of wood, covered with E1 melamine finishes or high gloss / matt lacquered Glass: 4 mm glass Drawers: Made with panels of wood particles in E1-coated finish PVC beech. Metal runners with fine race to fall The starting price is for the Wall Unit Composition LK18 as shown in the main picture. Dimensions: Shown Wall Unit Composition: W118.1" x D22.8" x H76.8"

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Cal Comfort Insulating Windows, Inc. began in 1982 as a company that primarily focused on weatherizing homes and commercial buildings, windows being more of a problem than a solution. Cal Comfort Windows, Inc. specialized in conscientiously installing windows and doors. Insulating, weather-stripping and correcting structural flaws were the best way to improve energy efficiency and reduce power bills. We serve Modesto, Turlock, Stockton, and the surrounding area.

Cal Comfort Insulating Windows, Inc. began in 1982 as a company that primarily focused on weatherizing homes and commercial buildings, windows being more of a problem than a solution. Cal Comfort Windows, Inc. specialized in conscientiously installing windows and doors. Insulating, weather-stripping and correcting structural flaws were the best way to improve energy efficiency and reduce power bills. We serve Modesto, Turlock, Stockton, and the surrounding area.