Modern pool and cabana where the granite ledge of Gloucester Harbor meet the manicured grounds of this private residence. The modest-sized building is an overachiever, with its soaring roof and glass walls striking a modern counterpoint to the property’s century-old shingle style home. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

This Park Slope rooftop garden features composite wood decking, an outdoor kitchen, and a custom pergola. Lush plantings compliment the contemporary hardscape design. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

This Park Slope rooftop garden features composite wood decking, an outdoor kitchen, and a custom pergola. Lush plantings compliment the contemporary hardscape design. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Metal, primarily thought of as a low-slope roofing material, has been found to be a durable roofing alternative for home and building owners with steep-slope roofs. Metal panels are the most long-lasting options.

Mechanical pergola louvers, heaters, fire table and custom bar make this a 4-season destination. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.
Example of a trendy rooftop rooftop deck design in Chicago with a pergola

Metal roofing is a lightweight, strong and long-lasting material that can be installed on steep slopes and low slopes. Valentine Roofing offers sturdy standing seam metal panels that come in a variety of colors that will bring beauty and vibrancy to any Puget Sound area home. Metal roofing is a long-lasting and low maintenance option that is weather ready year-round. Metal roofing systems are a great option for many Pacific Northwest area homes. Metal roofs have a long life span due to the strength of the material itself. A well maintained metal roof system can last anywhere from 30 to 70 years depending on which material is used. Another advantage that metal roofing offers is durability. Metal roofing holds up against high winds (up to 120mph) and tends to be less prone to cracking, erosion, and can often be more resistant to impact than other roofing materials. Metal roofs are also fire resistant and thus will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike. Another large advantage that metal roofing offers is energy efficiency. Standing seam metal roofing reflects solar radiant heat which can help reduce cooling costs up to 25% on average. In addition, metal roofing is also an environmentally conscious option. Metal roofs are often made up of 25 to 95% recycled materials and at the end of their life-cycle are 100% recyclable. We install the highest quality metal roofing material available from Nu-Ray Metals, our local metal supplier based in Auburn, Washington. We offer a variety of panel and color options so that you can choose the right fit for your home and your budget.

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Great room - cottage great room idea in Austin

The Roger Lee designed house from 1962 was purchased by the current homeowners in almost original condition, as the previous owners elected to defer most maintenance projects over the years. The clients were able to see beyond the dated materials and finishes, single-paned glass and uninsulated walls and they approached Klopf Architecture to help them expand and update the entire home, one the family could settle into and enjoy for years to come. It was important that the new designs were aligned with Lee's original intent not only because of the client's appreciation for mid-century modern architecture, but also because the house was deemed historical. The Stanford Real Estate Office requires a stringent design review which safeguards the integrity of the community, which Klopf Architecture was happy to oblige going into their updated designs. As with many original mid-century modern homes, the house was scaled to the 1960s lifestyle where rooms were smaller and openings to views were limited and tightly framed. The original conditions defined the direction the family of four would take in updating the house and making it comfortable for their modern lifestyle. Klopf designed a full gut remodel and major addition to bring the house into the 21st century and provide the living area needed for the client's family. The newly expanded house added just about 1,100 sf to create an airy, comfortable and family friendly house, taking full advantage of the beautiful southwestern views that extend out to the hills beyond. The enclosed garage created an additional 240 sf of covered space for long-term storage. A cracked swimming pool created an eyesore taking up a majority of the backyard landscape, so it was one of the first elements to go during the transformation. Working with Outer Space Landscape Architects, the family asked for a mix of relaxing outdoor patio spaces that eventually blend into the native landscaping, extending their views outward toward the natural greenery of the trees beyond their property. Filling in the old pool was a smart way to expand the living spaces outward. The orientation of the house was designed to enjoy the views, but the original architecture provided the first homeowners with mere glimpses of the landscape outside. Klopf was able to broaden those views, continuing and extending on the original architecture to take full advantage of the unobstructed natural views across the rear facade of the house. Small horizontal openings in the primary bedroom and office were replaced with much taller windows that now follow the angled roof line upward, extending across almost all of the facade. We worked with Western Windows, whose designs included an oblique-shaped, operable casement that allowed our design to rise with the slope. A new corner office added to the primary suite, offers a bright and functional work-from-home solution that looks out at the distant views and added natural light from the expanded window configuration that now wraps around the corner. The existing lower level was designed by Lee as a utilitarian space, serving as a wet pool room with a drain in the center of the floor, bathroom, laundry and storage areas. Without the need for a pool room, Klopf was able to convert the area into a much more comfortable and functional living space with a new family room and guest suite. The new spaces enjoy easy access to a new outdoor patio through floor to ceiling, full-width glass sliders. Continuing along the rear facade, a previously exposed deck extending from the living room and hallway provided access to the backyard through a single set of stairs leading toward the side of the house which made sense when the pool was in place. The new deck was re-envisioned as an extension of the main living room and now serves as a second outdoor living room. A new slatted pergola above provides the homeowners welcome relief from the hot afternoon sun. A second set of stairs now creates a better connection to the redesigned lower level. Klopf was able to reconfigure the spaces, extending the living room outward toward the views, where the family now claims it as the heart of the home, spending a large majority of their time outdoors. Back inside, the original wood-burning Malm fireplace was beautifully restored and a gas burner installed to comply with California's strict air standards. It now rests in front of a wall of Heath accent tiles where a dated red brick wall used to stand. A new taller window brings more light and views into the refreshed interior living room. The original glass doors opposite the fireplace were replaced by larger sliders that when fully opened, create a seamless transition to the new outdoor living area so the two spaces feel like one connected space. The original utilitarian kitchen was needlessly tucked into the far back corner and closed-off, out of sight from the living room, so the clients asked Klopf to open it up and expand the kitchen forward so it felt more connected. Today the much larger kitchen is connected to the living area where a short wall with a cutout offers a visual glimpse into the kitchen and a handy pass-through counter for serving guests. A new breakfast nook was also added to create another spot where the family can gather for casual meals. Just outside, a new built-in outdoor grill and prep area extends the kitchen outside and connects to a new outdoor dining spot nestled amongst the trees, taking advantage of the views out back. Klopf was able to expand the other two bedrooms, add a new laundry room and half-bath and convert the carport to an enclosed garage to add more storage areas which was lost when the pool house was converted to the family and guest room. To maintain a historical connection to the original designs, the exterior siding was repeated on all exterior walls, a full-height stained glass window at the front entryway restored, and an interior slatted screen element repeated outside at the exterior entry courtyard and over the new outdoor living room to create a shade trellis. The new house stands proudly and shines against it's new landscaping features, while respecting and expanding on the original intent of Roger Lee's designs epitomizing the comforts of indoor-outdoor living in Northern California. Completion year: 2020 Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, Noel Andrade Contractor: ORB Construction, Brendan O'Reilly Structural engineer: Sezen and Moon Landscape architect: Outer space Furnishings and decoration: Urbanism Designs Photographer: Mariko Reed

This three-bedroom, two-bath home, designed and built to Passive House standards*, is located on a gently sloping hill adjacent to a conservation area in North Stamford. The home was designed by the owner, an architect, for single-floor living. The home was certified as a US DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. Without solar panels, the home has a HERS score of 34. In the near future, the homeowner intends to add solar panels which will lower the HERS score from 34 to 0. At that point, the home will become a Net Zero Energy Home. *The home was designed and built to conform to Passive House certification standards but the homeowner opted to forgo Passive House Certification.

This gorgeous home sits atop a hill overlooking Lake Washington. The original roofline was flat and uninspired. Raising the roof over the main living area created a bright and spacious contemporary layout with a nod to its mid-century roots.

NuRay Standing Seam Metal is a great solution for most roof types, especially a low slope roof

NuRay Standing Seam Metal is a great solution for most roof types, especially a low slope roof

Example of a trendy patio design in Austin

Constructed of dark-stained cedar, the carport was designed to contrast with the shiny metal house. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara
Urban carport photo in Austin

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
This is an example of a cottage porch design in Austin.

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house. The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom. The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house. Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle. The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community. Photo by Tom Arban

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Farmhouse porch idea in Austin

John Cole Photography
Minimalist shed photo in DC Metro

www.chandlersroofing.com :: Old built up rock roof recovered with a 50 mil IB Roof Systems with full 15 year no dollar limit warranty on a commercial building in Los Angeles, CA.