The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith

Photography by Picture Perfect House
Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized transitional single-wall porcelain tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, cement tile backsplash, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

traceyaytonphotography.com
Study room - transitional freestanding desk study room idea in Vancouver with multicolored walls

Photography by Picture Perfect House
Family room - mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor, shiplap wall and brown floor family room idea in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Designed by Notion Design, Pittsburgh.
Wine cellar - contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor wine cellar idea with beige walls and storage racks

Photography by Picture Perfect House
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional 3/4 white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, single-sink and brown floor alcove shower remodel in Chicago with a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops, a freestanding vanity, dark wood cabinets and gray walls

Shift
Home design - modern home design idea

Shifting the two modules creates a covered breezeway between the house and the site built garage. Alpinfoto
Small minimalist multicolored two-story mixed siding flat roof photo in Seattle

Bathroom - bathroom idea in Calgary

Wine cellar - wine cellar idea in Calgary

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Shift
Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in Philadelphia

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