We designed the BSB Laneway House to fit a narrow (7.6m / 25’) lot and achieve 3 goals: 1. Maximize interior living space; 2. Preserve privacy between the suite and its existing neighbours; and 3. Meet all bylaws without relaxations. The massing follows the side and height chamfering setback rules, leaving us with some creative solutions to fit everything in. We stacked 2 of the 3 parking stalls within a single-wide garage using a lift & pit system for any-time access to either vehicle. Next to the garage is the third stall, which recesses the entry away from the lane and can double as a patio. The main floor hosts the front entry and master suite, both filled with natural light from the perimeter transom windows that are high enough to limit sight lines to/from neighbours. Linear millwork closets provide ample storage and concealed utilities. The upper level is a wide-open floor plan, perfect for entertaining. Skylights and large windows at either end flood the space with light throughout the day. The raised kitchen and dining space leads out to the rooftop terrace above the garage. There’s even an optional basement for even more usable space and storage!

Ground One designed and built a deck off the back of the house for casual sitting, mirroring the house’s front porch. This deck and the screened porch steps descend to a patio terrace. To expand the entertaining space and accommodate the setback restrictions for a permitted gas firepit, we excavated the lot’s back slope to gain bonus space and create a rustic campfire spot. Large boulders found on the site during house construction are incorporated into a retaining wall. Colonial bluestone fills the gaps between these large accent stones and surrounds the firepit. Additional boulders hold up the patio and a slab of bluestone bridges the terrace and patio, preserving the overall drainage pattern. Bluestone is the common thread throughout the project, but it is used in different forms; clean lines closer to the house transition to a more weathered look as you move toward the natural area. The swale is a variety of boulder sizes and river rock to create a more visually-compelling creekbed. The firepit patio is comfortable for just two people, but can also accommodate a larger group. It is close to the dining space, but physical separation allows for entertaining in different configurations: pre-dinner cocktails around the fire, a roaring flame as backdrop during dinner, kids roasting marshmallows while the adults linger within sight at the dining table, or the gang huddled around a bonfire.

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Example of an island style pool design in Miami

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Photo of a mid-sized eclectic partial sun gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

This detached garage project was completed in Alamo Heights 78209 by a local design build general contractor. The scope included site planning, permitting, foundation work, framing, roofing, electrical, and exterior finishes to match the existing home. The garage was designed for long term durability, clean curb appeal, and functional storage. Proper setbacks and zoning requirements for Alamo Heights were addressed during design. The finished structure provides secure vehicle storage and flexible space for storage or future use. This project reflects a streamlined design build process focused on quality construction, clear communication, and code compliant execution from start to finish. Alamo Heights detached garage builder, detached garage builder 78209, custom detached garage Alamo Heights TX, detached garage construction 78209, residential garage builder Alamo Heights, garage building contractor Alamo Heights, design build garage contractor 78209, custom garage construction Alamo Heights, permitted detached garage 78209, San Antonio detached garage builder

Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

The three-bedroom, three-bath Anguilla is just blocks from shopping and dining at the picturesque Village of Venetian Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beaches at Clam Pass Park. With 3,584 square feet of air-conditioned living space, this luxury single-family home offers wood flooring throughout the study, separate dining room, and kitchen with café. The café, great room and study open up into the outdoor living area and covered lanai via 10-foot sliding glass doors. Outdoors, you’ll enjoy unique luxury features that include an outdoor linear fire pit and seating, raised wood deck at the pool, a water feature at the pool focal point and a garden wall. The master suite occupies an entire wing and boasts an expansive bedroom and bathroom, and his-and-her walk-in closets. An additional two-car garage located on the other wing of the home is accessible through an in-and-out driveway for added convenience, and camera surveillance and security provide peace of mind. Image ©Advanced Photography Specialists

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

At exactly 400sf, this Accessory Dwelling Unit was originally an alley garage crammed with junk, and nearly falling over. Intended as a short- or long-term rental, a family guest house, summer party spot, and a potential future home for the clients, this ADU had to live larger than its actual square footage. Because of this, there needed to be a full kitchen, dining, living space, and limited long-term storage, as well as have the ability to fully open up to a landscaped patio. The clients also wanted to be sure that the space was extremely energy efficient, as well as budget-conscious. Using the existing footprint, and a small portion of the garage to construct the new ADU enabled the homeowners keep the structure very close to the property lines, way within current setback requirements. This one move, although it ended up being a more expensive option than building completely new, saved the small back yard from being fully overtaken. The plan of this unit is very simple, and we used a slim palette of finishes; both moves make it seem larger than it is. White walls and cabinets are punctuated by black stained wood doors and windows, and vertical grain Douglas Fir was used for window sills, shelving, and wall base. We used a mixture of the clients’ vintage door hardware and kitchen pulls with some new fixtures for the build-out to make it somewhat eclectic and personal. Photographer: Matt Swain Photography