The scope of work for this major remodeling project in Mill Valley included Preliminary Design, Design Review submittal and approval, Architectural Design, and Building Permit submittal and approval. Thayer Architecture Inc. worked closely with the Owner to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design that fit the requirements of the Town, the Owner and the Site. Lighting and interior design were by others.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

4-inch white oak select grade, site-finished on the 21st floor of a Buckhead high-rise. Open-plan living and dining area showing the full floor field. Dustless sanding process required for HOA compliance. Cork underlayment installed beneath for sound transmission requirements. Finished with LOBA 2K Duo.

The conception of the Montrose Garage project, driven by the site and the client’s program, became a lynchpin on the site by reorganizing movement around it. The building, echoing the contemporary materials and aesthetic of the primary residence, is the northern boundary of a courtyard creating the built edge of this urban lot. The garage structure could be characterized as an “Eroded Shed”. With a simple sloped roof, site influences and program requirements strategically carve away at the basic rectangular volume, creating dynamic architecture. The project is located on a tight site on a residential block with an alley at the northern edge of the property. To maximize access and convenience for the client, the project created vehicular access at two points on the site, through the main driveway at the south side and through the alleyway. The “Truck Port” allows vehicular access from both sides of the site. Sliding barn doors open up to the deck/courtyard during parties and social gatherings, and a sitting porch at the exercise studio opens to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. Andrea Hubbel Photography

This backyard paradise began with a muddy site, with all the grading sloping directly to the proposed poolside patio. The design for this outdoor living area would need to incorporate many challenges: * The grading issues would be corrected with retaining walls, which would create a warm yet expansive area and provide additional seating. * The pillars would require careful notching to insert the hardware for the pool gate. * The patio would need to incorporate stormwater storage underneath. * The edge of the poolside patio would require stabilization to prevent future settlement adjacent to the concrete pool deck.

The project was a complete rear renovation involving a new swimming pool, patio areas, fireplace, outdoor kitchen, deck renovation, and surrounding landscape, and lighting. The site was very challenging due to very steep slopes and a limited amount of land area to accomplish the overall goals of the project. Those were lawn areas for the kids to play as well as patio space for entertainment and a swimming pool. Due to county requirements, multiple infiltration trenches were needed to accommodate the Chesapeake Bay ordinances. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Chad Talton, Surrounds Inc.

The house is conceived as a series of horizontal planes inspired by the layering of fallen leaves found on the site’s ground plane. These layers play gently against each other emitting cracks and fissures of south facing light and unfolding to open up the house to its view and sweeping landscape to the north. Sited at the edge of a steep incline the spaces wrap the stair and chimney core as a series of split levels oriented to distant views. Significant planning and governmental reviews were required on this project. Project Architect @ Maryann Thompson Architects Photography: Chuck Choi

Built by Cornerstone Construction Services Interior Design by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Photography by Blackstone Edge Studios
Dedicated laundry room - large traditional vinyl floor and gray floor dedicated laundry room idea in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

This backyard paradise began with a muddy site, with all the grading sloping directly to the proposed poolside patio. The design for this outdoor living area would need to incorporate many challenges: * The grading issues would be corrected with retaining walls, which would create a warm yet expansive area and provide additional seating. * The pillars would require careful notching to insert the hardware for the pool gate. * The patio would need to incorporate stormwater storage underneath. * The edge of the poolside patio would require stabilization to prevent future settlement adjacent to the concrete pool deck.

This backyard paradise began with a muddy site, with all the grading sloping directly to the proposed poolside patio. The design for this outdoor living area would need to incorporate many challenges: * The grading issues would be corrected with retaining walls, which would create a warm yet expansive area and provide additional seating. * The pillars would require careful notching to insert the hardware for the pool gate. * The patio would need to incorporate stormwater storage underneath. * The edge of the poolside patio would require stabilization to prevent future settlement adjacent to the concrete pool deck.

As the core of Atlanta becomes more and more dense, options for new single-family homes are often limited to building unsustainably through demolition of existing homes. However, scattered around the city core are undeveloped sites considered “unbuildable", often because of jurisdictionally imposed restraints i.e. zoning setbacks, riparian stream buffers, peculiar lot configurations and difficult site features. Comparably, for this 12,401 sq. ft. site, zoning setbacks and riparian buffer restraints imposed on the lot's status as an undeveloped, legal, residential lot-of-record, rendered the property “unbuildable”. Not a single square foot of the site met jurisdictional requirements for “buildable”. Furthermore, the stream along the front of the site precluded construction access and the steep terrain was foreboding.

The project was a complete rear renovation involving a new swimming pool, patio areas, fireplace, outdoor kitchen, deck renovation, and surrounding landscape, and lighting. The site was very challenging due to very steep slopes and a limited amount of land area to accomplish the overall goals of the project. Those were lawn areas for the kids to play as well as patio space for entertainment and a swimming pool. Due to county requirements, multiple infiltration trenches were needed to accommodate the Chesapeake Bay ordinances. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Chad Talton, Surrounds Inc.

The conception of the Montrose Garage project, driven by the site and the client’s program, became a lynchpin on the site by reorganizing movement around it. The building, echoing the contemporary materials and aesthetic of the primary residence, is the northern boundary of a courtyard creating the built edge of this urban lot. The garage structure could be characterized as an “Eroded Shed”. With a simple sloped roof, site influences and program requirements strategically carve away at the basic rectangular volume, creating dynamic architecture. The project is located on a tight site on a residential block with an alley at the northern edge of the property. To maximize access and convenience for the client, the project created vehicular access at two points on the site, through the main driveway at the south side and through the alleyway. The “Truck Port” allows vehicular access from both sides of the site. Sliding barn doors open up to the deck/courtyard during parties and social gatherings, and a sitting porch at the exercise studio opens to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. Andrea Hubbel Photography

Originally a small two story, shingled bungalow set amidst an urban forest, this project involved major remodeling and enlargement of the interior spaces, and addition of two wings in order to clarify the interior layout and to add needed space, especially in the main living spaces. The small site and desire to not over-build the footprint, required a heroic effort to install a full basement under the existing house. Photos by David Simone.

Eye-Land: Named for the expansive white oak savanna views, this beautiful 5,200-square foot family home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living with five bedrooms and three baths, and space for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The site posed unique design challenges. The home was ultimately nestled into the hillside, instead of placed on top of the hill, so that it didn’t dominate the dramatic landscape. The openness of the savanna exposes all sides of the house to the public, which required creative use of form and materials. The home’s one-and-a-half story form pays tribute to the site’s farming history. The simplicity of the gable roof puts a modern edge on a traditional form, and the exterior color palette is limited to black tones to strike a stunning contrast to the golden savanna. The main public spaces have oversized south-facing windows and easy access to an outdoor terrace with views overlooking a protected wetland. The connection to the land is further strengthened by strategically placed windows that allow for views from the kitchen to the driveway and auto court to see visitors approach and children play. There is a formal living room adjacent to the front entry for entertaining and a separate family room that opens to the kitchen for immediate family to gather before and after mealtime.

The scope of work for this major remodeling project in Mill Valley included Preliminary Design, Design Review submittal and approval, Architectural Design, and Building Permit submittal and approval. Thayer Architecture Inc. worked closely with the Owner to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design that fit the requirements of the Town, the Owner and the Site. Lighting and interior design were by others.

The scope of work for this new custom home included Preliminary Design, Design Review submittal and approval, Architectural Design, Site Planning and Building Permit submittal and approval. Thayer Architecture Inc. worked closely with the Owner to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design that fit the requirements of the Town, the Owner and the Site. Lighting and interior design were by others.

The conception of the Montrose Garage project, driven by the site and the client’s program, became a lynchpin on the site by reorganizing movement around it. The building, echoing the contemporary materials and aesthetic of the primary residence, is the northern boundary of a courtyard creating the built edge of this urban lot. The garage structure could be characterized as an “Eroded Shed”. With a simple sloped roof, site influences and program requirements strategically carve away at the basic rectangular volume, creating dynamic architecture. The project is located on a tight site on a residential block with an alley at the northern edge of the property. To maximize access and convenience for the client, the project created vehicular access at two points on the site, through the main driveway at the south side and through the alleyway. The “Truck Port” allows vehicular access from both sides of the site. Sliding barn doors open up to the deck/courtyard during parties and social gatherings, and a sitting porch at the exercise studio opens to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. Andrea Hubbel Photography

The conception of the Montrose Garage project, driven by the site and the client’s program, became a lynchpin on the site by reorganizing movement around it. The building, echoing the contemporary materials and aesthetic of the primary residence, is the northern boundary of a courtyard creating the built edge of this urban lot. The garage structure could be characterized as an “Eroded Shed”. With a simple sloped roof, site influences and program requirements strategically carve away at the basic rectangular volume, creating dynamic architecture. The project is located on a tight site on a residential block with an alley at the northern edge of the property. To maximize access and convenience for the client, the project created vehicular access at two points on the site, through the main driveway at the south side and through the alleyway. The “Truck Port” allows vehicular access from both sides of the site. Sliding barn doors open up to the deck/courtyard during parties and social gatherings, and a sitting porch at the exercise studio opens to a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain landscape. Andrea Hubbel Photography