Search results for "Sites equal" in Home Design Ideas

Sunday, April 12, 3:00-5:00pm | Dallas
The Dallas Urban Reserve by Kevin Sloan, ASLA, M.Arch of Kevin Sloan Studio, with Robert Meckfessel, FAIA, DSGN Associates
Register: https://tclf.org/event/garden-dialogues-dallas-fort-worth-2015
Internationally recognized as an “innovative green project,” the award-winning Urban Reserve transformed a 10-acre site that had been an illegal landfill for more than 50 years into an exquisite Modernist community. In 2004, Urban Edge Developers in Dallas purchased the tract to construct a sustainable community, engaging landscape architect Kevin Sloan Studio and architects including Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. The refined aesthetics and careful grooming are equaled by environmentally sensitive details: the main street is a continuous biofilter; storm water is conveyed into rain gardens, separated by parking; cypress and reed plants filter water to sedimentation ponds for low-velocity drip irrigation. Concrete fragments and steel beams left over from its previous use as a landfill have been repurposed as “bricolage” for pavements and terraces. As part of the Dialogue, attendees will visit the landscapes of three private residences.
Photos courtesy Kevin Sloan and Diane Cheatham

http://www.getSTACT.com
STACT wine racks are incredibly easy to specify and incorporate into wine cellars, wine rooms, kitchens, home bars, commercial bars, and restaurants. Our customers have found that when it comes to modern wine cellar solutions, our system offers a number of advantages versus other wine storage solutions available on the market, here are just a few:
✓ Quality - premium *furniture grade* solution is unique to the industry, with unrivalled refinement when it comes to materials, aesthetic and craftsmanship. Our panels feature a premium high-gloss painted finish (not a laminated surface). Each panel takes more than a week to complete, with meticulous attention to detail. Once numerous coats of lacquer have been applied, each panel is hand buffed to a mirror-like piano finish.
✓ Versatility - mount any way you wish, and designed to work equally well within both commercial and residential applications, our clients have found our modular system to be the most versatile, and easiest to specify, assemble, and install - whether for 9 bottles or 9,000 within a large scale wine cellar application (www.stact.co/cellars). Available on your choice of 10 finishes, mix and match STACT panels to create your own unique look (3,628,800 possible configurations).
✓ Convenience - designed for quick and easy *DIY installation*, our patented system comes ready-to-install to any drywall surface right out of the box, minimizing the costs associated with labor and installation when compared with many custom solutions you will find on the market. Avoiding the need for a dedicated wine cellar builder to produce and arrive on site for assembly and installation. In-stock items typically ship within 1 business day.
✓ Value - direct-to-client distribution model to effectively cut out retail markup. Builders and specifiers have found STACT to be a fraction of the price of what it would cost to develop and produce a comparable custom solution. Plus currently we are offering *free shipping worldwide*.
✓ Design pedigree - created by 2012 ICFF winning designer Eric Pfeiffer, our patented prefabricated ready-to-assemble modular design is unique to the industry.
✓ Space-saving - highest bottle capacity on the market (10.7 bottles / sq ft). Each panel supports 9-12 bottles depending on how they are configured.
✓ Security - superior bottle stability, versus other wall-mounted wine storage solutions on the market. The aircraft grade aluminum bottle support structure ensures a lower center of gravity there is a more substantial portion of the bottle resting below the contact points. Thus a minimalist design aesthetic is retained, while eliminating the need for unnecessary and unsightly materials/clutter such as rubber gaskets, straps, etc.
Learn more at www.getSTACT.com

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures.
One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically.
I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool.
I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together.
The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection.
The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather.
Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience.
The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.
Find the right local pro for your project

Completed in 2015, the Othello House was designed by PRDG Architecture + Design and built by Better Builders as a striking example of modern living in West Seattle. Though the homeowners chose not to pursue formal certification, the project was built to meet the rigorous standards of a Five-Star Built Green™ home.
From the ground up, sustainability and style were equally prioritized. The build preserved native vegetation, retained mature trees on-site, exceeded Washington State Energy Code requirements, and recycled over 70% of construction waste by weight. Recycled-content materials were thoughtfully incorporated throughout, reinforcing the home’s eco-conscious foundation.
Large windows on all sides flood the interiors with natural light, while the surrounding landscaping is designed to highlight lush greenery and native plantings. The result is a home that combines premium modern design with environmental responsibility—proving that sustainable construction can also deliver the ultimate in comfort and function.

The family's once-loved home had become a source of frustration. Their kitchen, a space meant for gathering and creating, felt cramped and outdated. Limited storage and poor organization made meal prep a tedious task, and entertaining guests a logistical nightmare. The laundry room, often overlooked, was equally problematic. Its cramped layout and lack of storage made laundry day a chore, and the noise of the washing machine echoed through the living room.
To compound the issue, the absence of dedicated office spaces made working from home a constant struggle. One makeshift office was squeezed into the dining room, while another was relegated to the basement.
The family was hesitant to embark on a major renovation, fearing the challenges and uncertainties that come with such a project. Finding a reliable contractor, ensuring timely completion, and worrying about potential shoddy workmanship were all valid concerns.
We understood their anxieties and were committed to providing a smooth and stress-free experience. Our team crafted a design that addressed each of their concerns, transforming their home into a functional and stylish space.
We reimagined the laundry room, creating a custom storage solution and incorporating a stackable washer and dryer. The open hallway to the living room was enclosed, creating a spacious closet with ample storage. The laundry room now seamlessly connected to the kitchen, simplifying the grocery unloading process.
A former juliette balcony was converted into a dedicated office space, providing a peaceful and productive work-from-home environment.
The dated and cluttered ensuite bathroom received a luxurious makeover. A clever pull-out storage system in the shower wall and a spacious niche provided much-needed organization.
While every renovation project has its challenges, this one was remarkably smooth. The only significant hurdle was some additional structural work required in the basement to support the new office space. Our experienced team handled this efficiently, minimizing any disruption.
The final result is a home that truly reflects the family's personality and lifestyle. The laundry room, now a cheerful and organized space with soft green cabinets, patterned floor tiles, and gold accents, showcases our attention to detail.
The kitchen is a stunning centerpiece, featuring a striking combination of blue and white cabinets, dark hardwood floors, and a sleek white backsplash. The adjacent beverage bar, with its glass-fronted upper cabinets, provides an elegant space for entertaining.
The ensuite bathroom is a spa-like retreat, with large-format marble tiles, a black vanity, and chrome fixtures creating an atmosphere of understated luxury.
The renovation has had a profound impact on the family's daily life. Ample storage throughout the house has banished clutter, making it easier to maintain a tidy home. The seamless flow from the laundry room to the kitchen has streamlined the grocery unloading process, and the dedicated office spaces have transformed the work-from-home experience.
Beyond the physical transformation, it was the shared moments and laughter that made this project truly special. The family's enthusiasm and good humor were contagious. One of the clients, with his big personality, even starred in a walk-through video of the finished project, showcasing his infectious joy.
From choosing tiles to navigating unexpected challenges, the entire process was filled with warmth and collaboration. Even their four-year-old son, initially shy, warmed up to our site leader, Gus, nicknaming him "Gus the Bus," a moniker that endeared him to the entire team.

Cove House is a contemporary shoreline sanctuary in the lake region of New Hampshire. The wooded property, which includes several accessory outbuildings and an existing guest cottage, makes up a private micro-cove. The new modern house and existing traditional cottage turn both toward the lake and to each other. Thoughtful siting and landscape architecture establish a connective flow between the two residences, with a notched stone courtyard in the house inviting visitors to go back and forth.
Inspired by the craftsmanship of an antique mahogany powerboat, Cove House pursues architectural quality and beauty at the highest level. The design uses materiality, texture, and daylight to balance livability and artistry. The main entrance leads through a slot-canyon-like hall where a sequence of monumental granite walls reveals a glorious, light-filled living room. A steel moment frame spanning two levels imparts unobstructed panoramic views of the lake.
The magnetism of the New Hampshire waterfront is equalized by a coordinated series of openings, which attune daylight throughout the interior. Large sliding glass doors and windows draw light through the courtyard and into the home’s core – a bright and lofty kitchen. Below the kitchen, a walkout patio illuminates a refined wine-tasting room.
Near the front entry, a gracious granite and steel stair delivers daylight to each level though open risers and glass balustrades. Skylights draw light from above and cast grazing shadows against the textured tile walls of the upper bathrooms.
“We aimed to create a “beautiful reward” and an environment that our clients will enjoy for the rest of their lives.”
– Marcus Gleysteen

Completed in 2015, the Othello House was designed by PRDG Architecture + Design and built by Better Builders as a striking example of modern living in West Seattle. Though the homeowners chose not to pursue formal certification, the project was built to meet the rigorous standards of a Five-Star Built Green™ home.
From the ground up, sustainability and style were equally prioritized. The build preserved native vegetation, retained mature trees on-site, exceeded Washington State Energy Code requirements, and recycled over 70% of construction waste by weight. Recycled-content materials were thoughtfully incorporated throughout, reinforcing the home’s eco-conscious foundation.
Large windows on all sides flood the interiors with natural light, while the surrounding landscaping is designed to highlight lush greenery and native plantings. The result is a home that combines premium modern design with environmental responsibility—proving that sustainable construction can also deliver the ultimate in comfort and function.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home.
The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities.
The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter.
Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings.
Sandy Agrafiotis

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home.
The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities.
The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter.
Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings.
Sandy Agrafiotis

http://www.getSTACT.com
STACT wine racks are incredibly easy to specify and incorporate into wine cellars, wine rooms, kitchens, home bars, commercial bars, and restaurants. Our customers have found that when it comes to modern wine cellar solutions, our system offers a number of advantages versus other wine storage solutions available on the market, here are just a few:
✓ Quality - premium *furniture grade* solution is unique to the industry, with unrivalled refinement when it comes to materials, aesthetic and craftsmanship. Our panels feature a premium high-gloss painted finish (not a laminated surface). Each panel takes more than a week to complete, with meticulous attention to detail. Once numerous coats of lacquer have been applied, each panel is hand buffed to a mirror-like piano finish.
✓ Versatility - mount any way you wish, and designed to work equally well within both commercial and residential applications, our clients have found our modular system to be the most versatile, and easiest to specify, assemble, and install - whether for 9 bottles or 9,000 within a large scale wine cellar application (www.stact.co/cellars). Available on your choice of 10 finishes, mix and match STACT panels to create your own unique look (3,628,800 possible configurations).
✓ Convenience - designed for quick and easy *DIY installation*, our patented system comes ready-to-install to any drywall surface right out of the box, minimizing the costs associated with labor and installation when compared with many custom solutions you will find on the market. Avoiding the need for a dedicated wine cellar builder to produce and arrive on site for assembly and installation. In-stock items typically ship within 1 business day.
✓ Value - direct-to-client distribution model to effectively cut out retail markup. Builders and specifiers have found STACT to be a fraction of the price of what it would cost to develop and produce a comparable custom solution. Plus currently we are offering *free shipping worldwide*.
✓ Design pedigree - created by 2012 ICFF winning designer Eric Pfeiffer, our patented prefabricated ready-to-assemble modular design is unique to the industry.
✓ Space-saving - highest bottle capacity on the market (10.7 bottles / sq ft). Each panel supports 9-12 bottles depending on how they are configured.
✓ Security - superior bottle stability, versus other wall-mounted wine storage solutions on the market. The aircraft grade aluminum bottle support structure ensures a lower center of gravity there is a more substantial portion of the bottle resting below the contact points. Thus a minimalist design aesthetic is retained, while eliminating the need for unnecessary and unsightly materials/clutter such as rubber gaskets, straps, etc.
Learn more at www.getSTACT.com

http://www.getSTACT.com
STACT wine racks are incredibly easy to specify and incorporate into wine cellars, wine rooms, kitchens, home bars, commercial bars, and restaurants. Our customers have found that when it comes to modern wine cellar solutions, our system offers a number of advantages versus other wine storage solutions available on the market, here are just a few:
✓ Quality - premium *furniture grade* solution is unique to the industry, with unrivalled refinement when it comes to materials, aesthetic and craftsmanship. Our panels feature a premium high-gloss painted finish (not a laminated surface). Each panel takes more than a week to complete, with meticulous attention to detail. Once numerous coats of lacquer have been applied, each panel is hand buffed to a mirror-like piano finish.
✓ Versatility - mount any way you wish, and designed to work equally well within both commercial and residential applications, our clients have found our modular system to be the most versatile, and easiest to specify, assemble, and install - whether for 9 bottles or 9,000 within a large scale wine cellar application (www.stact.co/cellars). Available on your choice of 10 finishes, mix and match STACT panels to create your own unique look (3,628,800 possible configurations).
✓ Convenience - designed for quick and easy *DIY installation*, our patented system comes ready-to-install to any drywall surface right out of the box, minimizing the costs associated with labor and installation when compared with many custom solutions you will find on the market. Avoiding the need for a dedicated wine cellar builder to produce and arrive on site for assembly and installation. In-stock items typically ship within 1 business day.
✓ Value - direct-to-client distribution model to effectively cut out retail markup. Builders and specifiers have found STACT to be a fraction of the price of what it would cost to develop and produce a comparable custom solution. Plus currently we are offering *free shipping worldwide*.
✓ Design pedigree - created by 2012 ICFF winning designer Eric Pfeiffer, our patented prefabricated ready-to-assemble modular design is unique to the industry.
✓ Space-saving - highest bottle capacity on the market (10.7 bottles / sq ft). Each panel supports 9-12 bottles depending on how they are configured.
✓ Security - superior bottle stability, versus other wall-mounted wine storage solutions on the market. The aircraft grade aluminum bottle support structure ensures a lower center of gravity there is a more substantial portion of the bottle resting below the contact points. Thus a minimalist design aesthetic is retained, while eliminating the need for unnecessary and unsightly materials/clutter such as rubber gaskets, straps, etc.
Designed & built by Jordan Iverson Signature Homes
Photo credit: Kuda Photography

Function meets form in the Delta House, which incorporates innovative building solutions for our challenging rural Canadian climate. Perhaps more akin to aeronautics than architecture, biomimetic processes drove the problem-solving approach while seeking multiple functions for each component. A typical Canadian home grows up and out of the site, exposing more of the facade to the elements. Instead of building up, the focus here was to make better use of the lower level. A section of the house was dug out on the south side, making room for three main glazed boxes. The spaces and bedrooms of a typical second floor were transferred to the more protected basement, thus lowering the volume of conditioned air within the dwelling.
To minimize energy losses through the glazing, ATA centralized the windows on the south side of the building, while minimizing the glazing on other facades. The centralized windows became the “three sisters” allowing the winter sun into the main floor and lower level of the house. The aerodynamic delta shape of the building was tested in a wind tunnel and was designed to minimize energy loss due to contact with the turbulent winter wind. The sisters are tilted 10 degrees towards the sun, leveraging the properties of glass as a reflector, when the sun is at a high angle of incidence in the summer.
The house also contains an innovative thermal mass battery in the basement slab and a connected radiative masonry fireplace. Excess heat, gathered at the top of the tent-like roof is directed down and reheated through the chimney before being drawn into the basement slab for storage. Openings in the floor areas ensure the energy is equally distributed throughout the dwelling.
Read an article in the Globe and Mail about ATA’s Delta project here.

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home.
The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities.
The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter.
Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings.
Sandy Agrafiotis

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

http://www.getSTACT.com
STACT wine racks are incredibly easy to specify and incorporate into wine cellars, wine rooms, kitchens, home bars, commercial bars, and restaurants. Our customers have found that when it comes to modern wine cellar solutions, our system offers a number of advantages versus other wine storage solutions available on the market, here are just a few:
✓ Quality - premium *furniture grade* solution is unique to the industry, with unrivalled refinement when it comes to materials, aesthetic and craftsmanship. Our panels feature a premium high-gloss painted finish (not a laminated surface). Each panel takes more than a week to complete, with meticulous attention to detail. Once numerous coats of lacquer have been applied, each panel is hand buffed to a mirror-like piano finish.
✓ Versatility - mount any way you wish, and designed to work equally well within both commercial and residential applications, our clients have found our modular system to be the most versatile, and easiest to specify, assemble, and install - whether for 9 bottles or 9,000 within a large scale wine cellar application (www.stact.co/cellars). Available on your choice of 10 finishes, mix and match STACT panels to create your own unique look (3,628,800 possible configurations).
✓ Convenience - designed for quick and easy *DIY installation*, our patented system comes ready-to-install to any drywall surface right out of the box, minimizing the costs associated with labor and installation when compared with many custom solutions you will find on the market. Avoiding the need for a dedicated wine cellar builder to produce and arrive on site for assembly and installation. In-stock items typically ship within 1 business day.
✓ Value - direct-to-client distribution model to effectively cut out retail markup. Builders and specifiers have found STACT to be a fraction of the price of what it would cost to develop and produce a comparable custom solution. Plus currently we are offering *free shipping worldwide*.
✓ Design pedigree - created by 2012 ICFF winning designer Eric Pfeiffer, our patented prefabricated ready-to-assemble modular design is unique to the industry.
✓ Space-saving - highest bottle capacity on the market (10.7 bottles / sq ft). Each panel supports 9-12 bottles depending on how they are configured.
✓ Security - superior bottle stability, versus other wall-mounted wine storage solutions on the market. The aircraft grade aluminum bottle support structure ensures a lower center of gravity there is a more substantial portion of the bottle resting below the contact points. Thus a minimalist design aesthetic is retained, while eliminating the need for unnecessary and unsightly materials/clutter such as rubber gaskets, straps, etc.
STACTcustom by CellArt

Function meets form in the Delta House, which incorporates innovative building solutions for our challenging rural Canadian climate. Perhaps more akin to aeronautics than architecture, biomimetic processes drove the problem-solving approach while seeking multiple functions for each component. A typical Canadian home grows up and out of the site, exposing more of the facade to the elements. Instead of building up, the focus here was to make better use of the lower level. A section of the house was dug out on the south side, making room for three main glazed boxes. The spaces and bedrooms of a typical second floor were transferred to the more protected basement, thus lowering the volume of conditioned air within the dwelling.
To minimize energy losses through the glazing, ATA centralized the windows on the south side of the building, while minimizing the glazing on other facades. The centralized windows became the “three sisters” allowing the winter sun into the main floor and lower level of the house. The aerodynamic delta shape of the building was tested in a wind tunnel and was designed to minimize energy loss due to contact with the turbulent winter wind. The sisters are tilted 10 degrees towards the sun, leveraging the properties of glass as a reflector, when the sun is at a high angle of incidence in the summer.
The house also contains an innovative thermal mass battery in the basement slab and a connected radiative masonry fireplace. Excess heat, gathered at the top of the tent-like roof is directed down and reheated through the chimney before being drawn into the basement slab for storage. Openings in the floor areas ensure the energy is equally distributed throughout the dwelling.
Read an article in the Globe and Mail about ATA’s Delta project here.

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures.
One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically.
I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool.
I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together.
The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection.
The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather.
Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience.
The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

Completed in 2015, the Othello House was designed by PRDG Architecture + Design and built by Better Builders as a striking example of modern living in West Seattle. Though the homeowners chose not to pursue formal certification, the project was built to meet the rigorous standards of a Five-Star Built Green™ home.
From the ground up, sustainability and style were equally prioritized. The build preserved native vegetation, retained mature trees on-site, exceeded Washington State Energy Code requirements, and recycled over 70% of construction waste by weight. Recycled-content materials were thoughtfully incorporated throughout, reinforcing the home’s eco-conscious foundation.
Large windows on all sides flood the interiors with natural light, while the surrounding landscaping is designed to highlight lush greenery and native plantings. The result is a home that combines premium modern design with environmental responsibility—proving that sustainable construction can also deliver the ultimate in comfort and function.

Sunday, April 12, 3:00-5:00pm | Dallas
The Dallas Urban Reserve by Kevin Sloan, ASLA, M.Arch of Kevin Sloan Studio, with Robert Meckfessel, FAIA, DSGN Associates
Registration: https://tclf.org/event/garden-dialogues-dallas-fort-worth-2015
Internationally recognized as an “innovative green project,” the award-winning Urban Reserve transformed a 10-acre site that had been an illegal landfill for more than 50 years into an exquisite Modernist community. In 2004, Urban Edge Developers in Dallas purchased the tract to construct a sustainable community, engaging landscape architect Kevin Sloan Studio and architects including Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. The refined aesthetics and careful grooming are equaled by environmentally sensitive details: the main street is a continuous biofilter; storm water is conveyed into rain gardens, separated by parking; cypress and reed plants filter water to sedimentation ponds for low-velocity drip irrigation. Concrete fragments and steel beams left over from its previous use as a landfill have been repurposed as “bricolage” for pavements and terraces. As part of the Dialogue, attendees will visit the landscapes of three private residences.
Photos Courtesy Kevin Sloan Studio and Courtesy Diane Cheatham

Sited gently on the lower slope of a dramatic sixty foot high coastal bank and surrounded by miles of undeveloped Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and scrub pines is a warm, modern beach house that is more than just a place to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views and sea breezes. Our clients dreamed of a house that would work equally well as both a year-round family “camp” and also as a “thinking retreat” for collaborating with their colleagues.
Image Courtesy © Jane Messinger

Completed in 2015, the Othello House was designed by PRDG Architecture + Design and built by Better Builders as a striking example of modern living in West Seattle. Though the homeowners chose not to pursue formal certification, the project was built to meet the rigorous standards of a Five-Star Built Green™ home.
From the ground up, sustainability and style were equally prioritized. The build preserved native vegetation, retained mature trees on-site, exceeded Washington State Energy Code requirements, and recycled over 70% of construction waste by weight. Recycled-content materials were thoughtfully incorporated throughout, reinforcing the home’s eco-conscious foundation.
Large windows on all sides flood the interiors with natural light, while the surrounding landscaping is designed to highlight lush greenery and native plantings. The result is a home that combines premium modern design with environmental responsibility—proving that sustainable construction can also deliver the ultimate in comfort and function.
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