Design Objectives: Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models Include a large island with seating Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage Design Solutions: Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space THE RENEWED SPACE This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style. This photo hones in on the lap drawers on seating side of island.

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.

Our client came as a referral. They had seen a kitchen project we had completed where we opened up the kitchen to the living room. They were inspired to do the same in their kitchen. While they initially came to us looking to simply remove a wall to open up the space, in conversation it was clear we could help them really make the space function better for their family and entertaining. Ultimately they wanted to have an open bright space that was family friendly, great for entertaining and satisfied their love of cooking. By far, the greatest challenge we faced with this project was removing the load bearing wall that started the conversation to begin with. This wall was supporting 2 stories and housed the majority of electricity and plumbing for the kitchen and bathrooms above. Some of the key features are: An island enlarged to the maximum size that the beautiful Calacatta Retro slab allowed. The island houses a Galley 5-foot prep station sink with two faucets, dishwasher, two beverage coolers, drawer microwave, trash disposal, and a charging station for all of the family’s digital devices, are all conveniently located in the island. A vibrant tile from Porcelanosa is installed as the backsplash. The butler pantry was transformed into a coffee and wine bar. Installed Mocket pop-up outlets on the island that close flush to the island when not in use, but are easily accessible. Sonos speakers discreetly concealed in the ceiling for music throughout the space. The kitchen with dark colors and heavy gothic like style trim is gone, and a light, bright, kitchen with clean lines and an abundance of features has taken its place. The client is beyond delighted with the transformation of their kitchen and now combined living room space.

Arnaud Marthouret
Large minimalist open concept light wood floor living room photo in Toronto with a wood stove and a metal fireplace

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish

Chesapeake Energy’s 74,000 sqft. Green Roof a Natural Turf Rooftop Sports Field Chesapeake Energy is the second-largest producer of natural gas in North America, a Top 15 producer of oil and natural gas liquids and the most active driller of new wells in the country. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and onshore oil fields in the U.S. Chesapeake is in the midst of creating a central hub, “Chesapeake Campus” as CEO Aubrey McCLendon refers to it, on the NW corner of Oklahoma City. Centered in the middle of Chesapeake Campus is a 75,000 square foot natural grass rooftop athletic field built on top of Chesapeake’s new 3 level parking garage. Sporting events, social gatherings, concerts and much more is what this new wonder of Oklahoma City offers. Chesapeake’s rooftop athletic field, designed by Elliott + Associates Architects, constructed by Smith & Pickel, and installed by Total Environment, not only brings aesthetic appeal to the streets of Oklahoma City, green roofing is a fantastic way to reduce the heat island effect of urban areas and capture storm water while creating enjoyable space for residents and employees. The environmental impact of a green roof is undeniable, adding significantly to the LEED Point system designed by the USGBC in all five major areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Green roofing replaces the green space displaced by a building, prevents excess storm water drainage, reduces the temperature of a building and the urban heat island effect, protects and extends the useful life of a roof, and reduces energy demands. Utilizing the AirField System as the drainage layer in a green roof design allows a complete inch of water storage space beneath the entire surface plus it is incredibly strong and light weight. The AirField AirDrain geocell is also easy to work with, install and fashion in unique layouts. What’s more, a green roof incorporating AirDrain means your design includes renewable, recycled, and locally obtained materials. We know you have a choice in designing a green roof, and we hope you consider the many benefits of AirDrain. Build a better green roof with AirField. Some Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include: 100% vertical drainage under entire surface, 100% post manufactured recycled material, rapid water movement, minimal site disturbance, fast installation, light weight, incredible load bearing strength test at an empty 233 PSI/ 33,552 PSF. The list of major sustainable projects for AirField Systems of Oklahoma keeps growing and includes Chesapeake’s Central Park, Chesapeake’s Building # 14 rooftop, Whittier Middle School’s natural grass fire lane and Oklahoma State Cowboys T. Boone Picken’s Stadium’s game field along with hundreds of sustainable projects nationally. Total Environment Inc. is a Design-Build-Maintain company specializing in comprehensive landscape services for discriminating clients in the residential and commercial arena. The all-inclusive array of services and products that Total Environment provides is unequaled in the industry, in addition they also provide the ultimate in customer service. Highly skilled Account Managers from Universities in Oklahoma and across the country, oversee the properties daily, insuring impeccable success rates for installations and maintenance that is second to none. Projects span a broad range – from the installation of state of the art athletic fields to period landscapes, Total Environment is on top of the industry game. Seasonal displays of color, professionally designed and installed, enhance their properties and are always the ‘talk of the town’ every spring, summer, fall and winter. Christmas season, thanks to Total Environment ace lighting crews and its very generous clients, create a Winter Wonderland … always an incredible gift to Oklahoma City and the surrounding communities at large. Ty T. Hartwig, President of Total Environment, shares a favorite motto with his beloved Oklahoma City, “Labor omnia vincit” – which translates to “Labor Conquers All Things!” – a personal philosophy that molded the company into what it is today. Call today to find out how the AirField Systems can save you time, money and energy on your next green roof, sports field or porous paving project, 405-359-3775. http://www.airfieldsystems.com/chesapeake-energy-green-roof-natural-turf-rooftop-sports-field/

Ryan Day Thompson
Inspiration for a contemporary wooden u-shaped staircase remodel with wooden risers

Heidi A. Long
Small rustic exterior home idea

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Salt Lake City

3 deep drawers with extra wide frames house spices and other necessities near the range. Hardware by Schaub & Co.
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in New York

Relocating from San Francisco, this young family immediately zeroed in on the wonderful historic homes around downtown Chicago. Most of the properties they saw checked a lot of wish list boxes, but none of them checked every box. The house they landed on had beautiful curb appeal, a dramatic entry with a welcoming porch and front hall, and a really nice yard. Unfortunately, it did not have a kitchen that was well set-up for cooking and entertaining. Reworking the kitchen area was the top priority. The family had met with a few other designers and even had an architect take a crack at the space, but they were not able to come up with a viable solution. Here’s how Senior Designer Diana Burton approached the project… Design Objectives: Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models Include a large island with seating Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage Design Solutions: Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space THE RENEWED SPACE This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style.

Relocating from San Francisco, this young family immediately zeroed in on the wonderful historic homes around downtown Chicago. Most of the properties they saw checked a lot of wish list boxes, but none of them checked every box. The house they landed on had beautiful curb appeal, a dramatic entry with a welcoming porch and front hall, and a really nice yard. Unfortunately, it did not have a kitchen that was well set-up for cooking and entertaining. Reworking the kitchen area was the top priority. The family had met with a few other designers and even had an architect take a crack at the space, but they were not able to come up with a viable solution. Here’s how Senior Designer Diana Burton approached the project… Design Objectives: Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models Include a large island with seating Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage Design Solutions: Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space THE RENEWED SPACE This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style. This photo illuminates the gorgeous La Cornue range, and the custom stainless and brass range hood.

Relocating from San Francisco, this young family immediately zeroed in on the wonderful historic homes around downtown Chicago. Most of the properties they saw checked a lot of wish list boxes, but none of them checked every box. The house they landed on had beautiful curb appeal, a dramatic entry with a welcoming porch and front hall, and a really nice yard. Unfortunately, it did not have a kitchen that was well set-up for cooking and entertaining. Reworking the kitchen area was the top priority. The family had met with a few other designers and even had an architect take a crack at the space, but they were not able to come up with a viable solution. Here’s how Senior Designer Diana Burton approached the project… Design Objectives: Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models Include a large island with seating Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage Design Solutions: Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space THE RENEWED SPACE This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style. This is the special feature utilized a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby

Exquisite and unique, Calacatta Classique Quartz stuns with its clean whites and striking through-body veining. This showstopper countertop offers the look of luxurious marble in durable and maintenance-free quartz.

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.

Mid-sized elegant carpeted straight staircase photo in New York with carpeted risers

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.

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.

Inspiration for a cottage home design remodel in Philadelphia