“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Sharon Risedorph
Example of a trendy bathroom design in San Francisco

This clever diversion of building materials was designed and executed for a young family of four with a limited budget. On top of bringing an overall aesthetic value, the wood panels were ideal for refurbishing the electricity and plumbing without having to demolish and rebuild the whole ground floor. To Stéphane’s rigorous design, the owners Klor and Scien added their witty graphic touch.

Inspired by the abstract painting, deep rich brick red walls give warmth and drama to this dining room. The geometric black and white drapery is a nice counter balance to the organic painting and softens the rigor of the 9 windows at the end of the dining room.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

Praise to the firmness in this model that, in the rigorous and padded lines and in the very thick bed frame, shows its natural inclination to resist to fashion, by virtue of a limitless comfort. The double stitching tailoring customizes the perimeter of the bed frame and headboard designed by panes, like soft embroidery.

Trav Porcelain Tiles are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, offering both durability and ease of maintenance. Bring the allure of natural stone into your bathroom design effortlessly with Trav Porcelain Tiles from Arizona Tile.

Sharon Risedorph
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in San Francisco

WAY kitchen design, a rigorous project in proportions, minimal in the composition and sophisticated lines, installed by Snaidero UAE at Downtown, Dubai. This WAY kitchen in matt arctic white lacquered finish came as the perfect fit.

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Dune is a sideboard with a rigorous style, which is also extremely elegant and meticulously designed down to the last detail. It is an element that fits perfectly into both a private home and an office.

Guntersville™ Collection by Bass Cabinet is our traditional line of Rigid Thermofoil Cabinetry. Available in 4 door styles and 22 finishes. ANSI KCMI Certified Guntersville™ Collection cabinets are extensively tested according to the rigorous standards set forth & governed by by the American National Standards Institute & the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

This Kohler Apron-front farm sink is a great choice to stand up to rigorous use. While the fireclay sinks are beautiful, we have found that the cast iron unit is more durable.

This 2 bedroom 2 bath home was designed using inspiration from the client as a collaboration between Mantell-Hecathorn Builders and Feeny Architect. This home offers a cool vibe in and out, with fine, homemade furniture by the owner, and Feeny designed steel posts and beams. Since Mantell-Hecathorn Builders is the only builder in Southwest Colorado to certify 100% of their homes to rigorous standards, including Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready, Energy Star, and Indoor airPlus, this home has certified indoor air quality, durability, and is low maintenance.

Elle has bold lines that are rigorous and spectacular. It stands out with its 45 degree edges doors, worktops, and supporting end panels. The thickness of materials seems to disappear creating an appearance of great lightness. Contact info@casaspazio.com for more information.

This clever diversion of building materials was designed and executed for a young family of four with a limited budget. On top of bringing an overall aesthetic value, the wood panels were ideal for refurbishing the electricity and plumbing without having to demolish and rebuild the whole ground floor. To Stéphane’s rigorous design, the owners Klor and Scien added their witty graphic touch.

Reclaim the use of your patio or deck from the sun’s glare or pesky insects with our high performing exterior screens. We feature Progressive Screens and their patented MagnaTrack system which is engineered to be energy efficient, withstand rigorous conditions, and protect from unwanted insects.

A fun take on midcentury design. Chris Bradley Photography
Dining room - 1950s dark wood floor dining room idea in Chicago with white walls

Iconic and sophisticated: eye catching. The red knob evokes Baccarat’s iconic red matches perfectly the Harcourt 1841 & Eve collections to dress beautiful tables. This lacquer has successfully passed many rigorous quality tests.