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 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 design is a response to the high piedmont site’s mixed-humid climate; passive solar design features incorporated include proper microclimate orientation, extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs; all as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Similar to a radiator, the design’s three wings maximize opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Incorporation¬¬¬ of daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior-to-code insulation ensure minimal space-conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All lighting fixtures are LEDs.

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.

I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to match the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who cannot live tiny, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design Assistance Jimmy Thornton

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.

Stephen Goodenough
Home design - contemporary home design idea in Christchurch

The homeowner wanted a safe place for gathering during the pandemic, and also a way to be outside without getting mosquito-bitten in this forested setting. The solution was an outdoor living space, reached from a door of the indoor living spaces. Fitting within the footprint of an old deck, this addition was quickly permitted without requiring a site survey.

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.

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.

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

Although this home has stained horizontal lap cedar it has other details bringing into contemporary styling. The river lot was limited to a 24'x24' buildable square with just small areas available for the entry and garage. This was a steep ravine wooded lot that required a walk out lower level to the water. The windows were contemporary fixed glass with awnings for require ventilation.

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 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 rain garden catches water from the driveway from the opening in the curb. It is a beautiful way to accomplish your sites stormwater requirements. It is garden, pollinator garden, native plant garden and serves important eco-system services.

This custom new construction home located in Fox Trail, Illinois was designed for a sizeable family who do a lot of extended family entertaining. There was a strong need to have the ability to entertain large groups and the family cooks together. The family is of Indian descent and because of this there were a lot of functional requirements including thoughtful solutions for dry storage and spices. The architecture of this project is more modern aesthetic, so the kitchen design followed suit. The home sits on a wooded site and has a pool and lots of glass. Taking cues from the beautiful site, O’Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago focused the design on bringing the outdoors in with the goal of achieving an organic feel to the room. They used solid walnut timber with a very natural stain so the grain of the wood comes through. There is a very integrated feeling to the kitchen. The volume of the space really opens up when you get to the kitchen. There was a lot of thoughtfulness on the scaling of the cabinetry which around the perimeter is nestled into the architecture. obrienharris.com