Michelle Peek Photography
Large trendy galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Spacecrafting / Architectural Photography
Mid-sized craftsman gray two-story wood gable roof idea in Minneapolis with a metal roof

Newly constructed home located in the Zilker neighborhood of Austin. The existing bungalow on the property was deconstructed, with materials set aside for re-use in the new home. Goal of the project was to source exclusively from these existing materials, as well as materials salvaged from the homeowners' family ranch in West Texas. The remaining products and materials were sourced locally and made in the USA whenever possible, to lower the carbon footprint and support local manufacturers and artisans. Architecture by Loop Design Whit Preston, Photographer

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.

Kitchen pantry - transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry idea in New Orleans with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Open concept kitchen - huge contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor open concept kitchen idea in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Deck - small contemporary rooftop deck idea in Chicago with a fire pit

Newly constructed home located in the Zilker neighborhood of Austin. The existing bungalow on the property was deconstructed, with materials set aside for re-use in the new home. Goal of the project was to source exclusively from these existing materials, as well as materials salvaged from the homeowners' family ranch in West Texas. The remaining products and materials were sourced locally and made in the USA whenever possible, to lower the carbon footprint and support local manufacturers and artisans. Architecture by Loop Design Whit Preston, Photographer

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck

Large elegant u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Open concept kitchen - scandinavian light wood floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen idea in Chicago with black cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island, white countertops and shaker cabinets

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Cottage hallway photo with white walls

Pool - coastal pool idea in Miami

Exterior, Screened Porch, Natural Stone Fireplace, Marcelle Guilbeau
Inspiration for a large timeless screened-in back porch remodel in Nashville with a roof extension

Living room with arched windows and an open concept and a built in fireplace and tv wall
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Newly constructed home located in the Zilker neighborhood of Austin. The existing bungalow on the property was deconstructed, with materials set aside for re-use in the new home. Goal of the project was to source exclusively from these existing materials, as well as materials salvaged from the homeowners' family ranch in West Texas. The remaining products and materials were sourced locally and made in the USA whenever possible, to lower the carbon footprint and support local manufacturers and artisans. Architecture by Loop Design Whit Preston, Photographer

Rear Gabions filled with salvaged "rounds" from storm felled local trees. ©ToddHaimanLandscapeDesign2014
Photo of a small eclectic partial sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape in New York.

Shiflet Group Architects Photographer Nick Johnson
Example of a cottage dining room design in Austin