Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a cottage home design remodel in Austin

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

The hallway is adjacent to the main volume of the house and the green linoleum floors express a zone of movement.
Hallway - modern green floor hallway idea in Los Angeles

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Catherine Tighe
Mid-sized trendy formal light wood floor living room photo in New York with gray walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Won 2013 AIANC Design Award
Transitional brown two-story wood house exterior photo in Charlotte with a metal roof

Photo of a mediterranean landscaping in Austin.

Trendy sunroom photo in Chicago

The home's form is broken into two gabled volumes linked by a central stair. The central atrium floods the interior with day light and is the focus of the open spaces of the house. Exterior rain-screen fiber cement panels and board and batten siding further reduce the apparent volume of the house. Front and rear decks and trellises encourage the use of the land around the house.

Michael K. Wilkinson
Craftsman green three-story gable roof idea in DC Metro

Mountain style home design photo in Seattle

Natural Pool. Photo Credit:Halkin Photography LLC
Inspiration for a timeless natural pool remodel in Philadelphia

The building is comprised of three volumes, supported by a heavy timber frame, and set upon a terraced ground plane that closely follows the existing topography. Linking the volumes, the circulation path is highlighted by large cuts in the skin of the building. These cuts are infilled with a wood framed curtainwall of glass offset from the syncopated structural grid. Eric Reinholdt - Project Architect/Lead Designer with Elliott, Elliott, Norelius Architecture Photo: Brian Vanden Brink

Contextual Modern Duplex in San Francisco, California's Castro District Roof slopes, setbacks, notches and the angled front façade are all calculated to reduce the impact of this new building on its neighbors, who worked closely with us during design. Large areas of glass, clear anodized aluminum corner windows, galvanized metal railings and cantilevering forms combine to create a strikingly modern image for this two-unit condo in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. Colored stucco and painted wood are used to emphasize different planes and volumes. At the interior, finishes and fixtures were carefully selected to strike a balance between the building’s modern aesthetic and the buyer’s desire for warmth and comfort. Contemporary materials include concrete and glass counters, stainless steel, aluminum and hard-troweled colored plaster. Wood veneers include sapele, anegre, hemlock and ash.

Beach style subway tile bathroom photo in New York with white countertops

The home's form is broken into two gabled volumes linked by a central stair. The central atrium floods the interior with day light and is the focus of the open spaces of the house. Exterior rain-screen fiber cement panels and board and batten siding further reduce the apparent volume of the house. Front and rear decks and trellises encourage the use of the land around the house.

Perched on the slopes of Ticetonyk Mountain in the Catskills, this home was meticulously designed to integrate with its natural surroundings. The structure’s distinctive form, composed of two back-to-back rectangular volumes, rises in opposite directions to frame views of both the valley to the north and a dramatic rock outcropping to the south. This thoughtful orientation ensures the house maintains a constant dialogue with the landscape. Material selections were carefully made to complement the bold architectural form. Black metalclad walls rise from the earth, extending into cantilevered roof planes that project well beyond the building’s footprint, creating a striking, angular silhouette. Cedar siding wraps the volume, providing a warm, natural contrast to the sleek metal, blending modernity with organic warmth. Functionality and sustainability were equally integral to the design. As a net-zero energy home, it achieves high performance with triple-pane windows, airtight construction, and robust insulation. Solar panels power the all-electric systems, and the house’s strategic orientation maximizes natural light. In summer, deep roof overhangs provide shade, while in winter, the sun’s lower angle floods the home, warming the concrete slab floors to reduce heating demands. Inside, the minimalist design reflects a commitment to simplicity and the use of natural materials. The polished concrete slab floors create a clean, industrial aesthetic that contrasts with the warm cedar accents found in door surrounds and wall cladding. Trim has been intentionally omitted in favor of black reveals, creating crisp transitions around doors and floors. The kitchen serves as the heart of the home, anchored by a dramatic quartzite hood in black, rust, and white tones, which contrasts beautifully with the rich walnut cabinetry and black countertops. This walnut detailing continues along the northern wall, transitioning effortlessly from kitchen cabinetry to living room entertainment units, and ultimately into floor-to-ceiling wardrobes in the primary bedroom. In the primary suite, a floating wall with integrated lighting subtly divides the bedroom from the bath, allowing glimpses of serene Moroccan plastered walls. A sculptural Japanese soaking tub, framed by a floor-to-ceiling window, serves as the centerpiece of the bathroom, while the adjacent minimalist shower, finished in the same calming plaster, completes the tranquil, spa-like feel.

The home's form is broken into two gabled volumes linked by a central stair. The central atrium floods the interior with day light and is the focus of the open spaces of the house. Exterior rain-screen fiber cement panels and board and batten siding further reduce the apparent volume of the house. Front and rear decks and trellises encourage the use of the land around the house.

Perched on the slopes of Ticetonyk Mountain in the Catskills, this home was meticulously designed to integrate with its natural surroundings. The structure’s distinctive form, composed of two back-to-back rectangular volumes, rises in opposite directions to frame views of both the valley to the north and a dramatic rock outcropping to the south. This thoughtful orientation ensures the house maintains a constant dialogue with the landscape. Material selections were carefully made to complement the bold architectural form. Black metalclad walls rise from the earth, extending into cantilevered roof planes that project well beyond the building’s footprint, creating a striking, angular silhouette. Cedar siding wraps the volume, providing a warm, natural contrast to the sleek metal, blending modernity with organic warmth. Functionality and sustainability were equally integral to the design. As a net-zero energy home, it achieves high performance with triple-pane windows, airtight construction, and robust insulation. Solar panels power the all-electric systems, and the house’s strategic orientation maximizes natural light. In summer, deep roof overhangs provide shade, while in winter, the sun’s lower angle floods the home, warming the concrete slab floors to reduce heating demands. Inside, the minimalist design reflects a commitment to simplicity and the use of natural materials. The polished concrete slab floors create a clean, industrial aesthetic that contrasts with the warm cedar accents found in door surrounds and wall cladding. Trim has been intentionally omitted in favor of black reveals, creating crisp transitions around doors and floors. The kitchen serves as the heart of the home, anchored by a dramatic quartzite hood in black, rust, and white tones, which contrasts beautifully with the rich walnut cabinetry and black countertops. This walnut detailing continues along the northern wall, transitioning effortlessly from kitchen cabinetry to living room entertainment units, and ultimately into floor-to-ceiling wardrobes in the primary bedroom. In the primary suite, a floating wall with integrated lighting subtly divides the bedroom from the bath, allowing glimpses of serene Moroccan plastered walls. A sculptural Japanese soaking tub, framed by a floor-to-ceiling window, serves as the centerpiece of the bathroom, while the adjacent minimalist shower, finished in the same calming plaster, completes the tranquil, spa-like feel.