Planted non-fruiting olive trees ( Swan Hill) in a bed of Convolvulus flowering shrubs. Built the raised bed with a semi-rose colored Travertine stone. Each tree is deep watered with www.deepdrip.com stakes to reduce water loss from evaporation.

The reduced lawn is flanked by Lavender and Pomegranate trees on either side of the patio access.
Inspiration for a large mediterranean partial sun backyard gravel garden path in San Francisco for spring.

D. Watson
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard concrete paver landscaping in Houston with a fire pit.

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Views of trees and sky from the submerged squash court allow it to remain connected to the outdoors. Felt ceiling tiles reduce reverberation and echo. Photo: Jeffrey Totaro

Rock outcroppings make a striking background for new lounge areas in this compact Los Angeles hillside garden. Working with the attributes of the site, we added native plants to drape over the stone, and converted hollowed stone planters into a firepit and water feature. New built-in seating and a cozy hammock complete the relaxing space, and dramatic lighting makes it come alive at night. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

This image shows a new rock retaining wall protecting the blue oak tree between the house and garage.
Photo of a large rustic full sun hillside concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Sacramento.

Tinatin Kilaberedze Interior Design, Bedroom Holiday: A Child's Bedroom at Christmas Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Eclectic kids' room photo in New York

Gokul Bakshi
Inspiration for a timeless detached garden shed remodel in Newark

Inspiration for a large traditional shade front yard mulch driveway in Jackson for summer.

The engraved skylight cover can be closed to reduce light in the daytime and keep the space cool. Rolling drawer trays underneath the bed supply plenty of storage for visitors' belongings in addition to the hooks and fold-down desk. Individual sconces above the bed and desk provide light for reading or work space. Photo Credit: Stephen Cardinale

This view shows the entry courtyard and the home office courtyard to the right. We differentiated the areas by using a darker gravel between the two areas with a simple flagstone paver. A water fountain outside of the office doors provides white noise to reduce the traffic noise. Jason & Anna Photography

Example of a mountain style deck design in Portland

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.

Example of a large mountain style l-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen design with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble countertops

This front yard sits below street level with a hedge and trees adding to its privacy. A flagstone path to the front door expands to create a sitting area amongst the dense plantings. A combination of shade plants such as hosta, and sun plants such as sedum and lavender, give the space great texture and color. A stepping sone path leads under a tree to the side of the the house.

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

Custom made one of the kind modern Canadian Christmas tree. Design and fabrication Reach Design Photos: Reach Design
Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Vancouver with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv