This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood. INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site. EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot. THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place. HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde. YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting. ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements. RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage. OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet. ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Kat Alves
Living room - large mediterranean formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in Sacramento with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Roll-up garage door conceals relocated laundry. No hallway encroachment, visually consistent with industrial-chic theme.
Dedicated laundry room - small contemporary dedicated laundry room idea in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and a stacked washer/dryer

Master bedroom design - Contemporary Twilight Residential Interior Design Project in Aventura, Florida by DKOR Interiors / Photos by Alexia Fodere
Trendy bedroom photo in Miami

With an updated, coastal feel, this cottage-style residence is right at home in its Orono setting. The inspired architecture pays homage to the graceful tradition of historic homes in the area, yet every detail has been carefully planned to meet today’s sensibilities. Here, reclaimed barnwood and bluestone meet glass mosaic and marble-like Cambria in perfect balance. 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 6,022 square feet and three-car garage

CHC Creative Remodeling
Example of a mountain style basement design in Kansas City

This Sonoma steam shower is a luxurious usage of our Listone D wood-look porcelain that is imported straight from Italy. CTD is a family owned business with a showroom and warehouse in both San Rafael and San Francisco. Our showrooms are staffed with talented teams of Design Consultants. Whether you already know exactly what you want or have no knowledge of what's possible we can help your project exceed your expectations. To achieve this we stock the best Italian porcelain lines in a variety of styles and work with the most creative American art tile companies to set your project apart from the rest. Our warehouses not only provide a safe place for your order to arrive, but also stock a complete array of all the setting materials your contractor will need to complete your project saving him time and you money. The warehouse staff is knowledgeable and friendly to help make sure your project goes smoothly. [Jeff Rumans Photography]

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Chicago

Habitus Cork Mosaic "Penny" Tile featured in a Shower Application for Blesso Properties. Shown in Natural Cork Color. Habitus Cork Mosaic “Penny” Tiles are the forward-looking green finish material! And like all cork products; Cork Mosaic Tile is a renewable resource. It is literally recycled from the wine stopper industry from Spain and Portugal. Chips are selected and fashioned by hand on sheets and installed to walls and floors, including wet areas, using thin-set mortar and tile grout. Similar procedures as for any typical ceramic or other mosaic tile. It can also be stained colors and finished in many ways using products we supply or recommend.

Cory Holland - Holland Photography
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Seattle

The Laurel was a project that required a rigorous lesson in southern architectural vernacular. The site being located in the hot climate of the Carolina shoreline, the client was eager to capture cross breezes and utilize outdoor entertainment spaces. The home was designed with three covered porches, one partially covered courtyard, and one screened porch, all accessed by way of French doors and extra tall double-hung windows. The open main level floor plan centers on common livings spaces, while still leaving room for a luxurious master suite. The upstairs loft includes two individual bed and bath suites, providing ample room for guests. Native materials were used in construction, including a metal roof and local timber.

Nat Rea
Example of a country family room design in Other

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic home office photo in Dallas

Inspiration for a small coastal 3/4 dark wood floor, brown floor, single-sink and wallpaper bathroom remodel in Other with furniture-like cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a vessel sink and glass countertops

Featured on Houzz: 'Kitchen of the Week' Photographer: Dan Farmer
Mid-sized trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boise with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an undermount sink, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz
Example of a cottage home office design in Louisville

Jesse Brough By combining Architectural Pavers set in lawn and a gravel path, a creative, functional and attractive path is created through this backyard residence in Tualatin, OR. Designed and installed by Blessing Landscapes

Photo: F. D. Richards, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution- ShareAlike 2.0 Generic American Elderberry / Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

A big work table with a rolling office chair is the creative brain center of this gift wrapping room. A walnut slab sits atop two white base cabinets from Wellborn. Wood-look vinyl plank flooring is durable and easy to keep clean. Wrought iron pendant chandeliers are Declaration by Murray Feiss. Through the French doors you see the hallway utility sink. Photo by Toby Weiss