Beach style deck photo in Charlotte

The Porch House sits perched overlooking a stretch of the Yellowstone River valley. With an expansive view of the majestic Beartooth Mountain Range and its close proximity to renowned fishing on Montana’s Stillwater River you have the beginnings of a great Montana retreat. This structural insulated panel (SIP) home effortlessly fuses its sustainable features with carefully executed design choices into a modest 1,200 square feet. The SIPs provide a robust, insulated envelope while maintaining optimal interior comfort with minimal effort during all seasons. A twenty foot vaulted ceiling and open loft plan aided by proper window and ceiling fan placement provide efficient cross and stack ventilation. A custom square spiral stair, hiding a wine cellar access at its base, opens onto a loft overlooking the vaulted living room through a glass railing with an apparent Nordic flare. The “porch” on the Porch House wraps 75% of the house affording unobstructed views in all directions. It is clad in rusted cold-rolled steel bands of varying widths with patterned steel “scales” at each gable end. The steel roof connects to a 3,600 gallon rainwater collection system in the crawlspace for site irrigation and added fire protection given the remote nature of the site. Though it is quite literally at the end of the road, the Porch House is the beginning of many new adventures for its owners.

New SIP Home Exterior
Example of a mid-sized classic two-story metal exterior home design in Minneapolis

Inspiration for a small modern gray two-story metal exterior home remodel in Other

North Idaho custom-designed lake view home. Enjoy the comfort of this home in the hot summer and the cold winters. The secret is wrapping the home in an uninterrupted blanket of insulation. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) in the exterior wall and roof is the keyword to remember.

© Square Root Architecture + Design, Ltd.
Example of a minimalist two-story exterior home design in Chicago

© Square Root Architecture + Design, Ltd.
Minimalist entryway photo in Chicago

Large rambler with slab on grade, hydronic infloor heat, SIPs walls, raised heal trusses and 22" blown-in attic insulation. Photo by Mary Haskin.
Craftsman one-story concrete fiberboard gable roof idea in Seattle

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. John Allegretti

The living room was designed as an open, light-filled space with a strong connection to the outdoors. Expansive lift-and-slide doors span the full width of the wall, opening directly to the patio and allowing the interior living space to flow seamlessly outside. Exposed steel posts and beams express the structural framework of the home, adding rhythm and industrial character throughout the space. Above, a dramatic vaulted ceiling highlights the structural roof system constructed with SIPs panels, creating both visual warmth and high-performance energy efficiency. A custom floor-to-ceiling steel-clad fireplace serves as a sculptural focal point within the room, contrasting against the smooth polished concrete floors and clean modern detailing. The layered combination of steel, concrete, wood, and glass creates a refined yet comfortable living environment, thoughtfully designed by H2D Architecture + Design. + Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com + Interior Design: Karlee Coble Interiors + Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes + Photography: Christopher Nelson Photography

The exterior of this high performance SIPS home is clad in reclaimed fir, pine and larch from Eastern Washington Grain Elevators that were built in the 1920's and 30's. The beams at the exterior porch are milled from 12x12's that were the support structure of the grain elevators.

RVP Photography
Example of a trendy open concept concrete floor family room design in Cincinnati with white walls and no fireplace

Home gym - country home gym idea in Other

Example of a small minimalist gray two-story metal exterior home design in Other

The Porch House sits perched overlooking a stretch of the Yellowstone River valley. With an expansive view of the majestic Beartooth Mountain Range and its close proximity to renowned fishing on Montana’s Stillwater River you have the beginnings of a great Montana retreat. This structural insulated panel (SIP) home effortlessly fuses its sustainable features with carefully executed design choices into a modest 1,200 square feet. The SIPs provide a robust, insulated envelope while maintaining optimal interior comfort with minimal effort during all seasons. A twenty foot vaulted ceiling and open loft plan aided by proper window and ceiling fan placement provide efficient cross and stack ventilation. A custom square spiral stair, hiding a wine cellar access at its base, opens onto a loft overlooking the vaulted living room through a glass railing with an apparent Nordic flare. The “porch” on the Porch House wraps 75% of the house affording unobstructed views in all directions. It is clad in rusted cold-rolled steel bands of varying widths with patterned steel “scales” at each gable end. The steel roof connects to a 3,600 gallon rainwater collection system in the crawlspace for site irrigation and added fire protection given the remote nature of the site. Though it is quite literally at the end of the road, the Porch House is the beginning of many new adventures for its owners.

© Square Root Architecture + Design, Ltd.
Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Chicago

The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. John Allegretti

Douglas Fir timber frame.
Home design - traditional home design idea in Burlington

Inspiration for a coastal living room remodel in Charlotte