Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Detail for roof scupper from butterfly roof and transition from house wall to site wall beyond with security bollard. Rick Brazil Photography
Mid-century modern gray one-story concrete house exterior idea in Phoenix

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

Your front door is your best defender. It protects you, your family, and your most valuable personal belongings from theft and damage. Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. Due to its versatility, metal-plastic entrance doors are perfect for both private houses and shops, offices and administrative buildings. Our doors have several superior features: - Metal-plastic doors – lighter than iron and steel doors, but no less strong and reliable! Scratch and impact resistance, easy of care and environmentally friendly - In principle, we use only all-welded reinforcement, 1/10" thick (!) for the entrance doors. Such reinforcement is a necessary condition for real burglary resistance. - We use an aluminum threshold with a special thermal insert that cuts off the cold from the room. We also complete with an amplifier to securely fix the bottom of the door and cut off the cold. - HPL sandwich panel, consists of foamed extruded Styrofoam, with rigid PVC overlays high pressure on both sides. - Energy savings double-glazed safety windows. - Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold. Introducing the Manux collection of modern metal-plastic doors in a stunning white silk color. These doors are expertly crafted from durable metal-plastic material and feature European roller hinges and an aluminum threshold, ensuring both longevity and security for your home. Model - 8666 Manux Color - Black Glass - Safety Tempered Clear glass. Door thickness - 2 3/4" Frame thickness - 2 3/4" Exterior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Interior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Hardware included: - Aluminum frame 2 3/4" thick - dimensions of the door 72" x 80" with the frame is 74" x 82". - Aluminum threshold. - Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of metal-plastic (uPVC) doors, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys. - Cylinder. - 3D Hinges. - Turnknob for cylinder. - Handles Each door comes prehung in a sturdy frame for easy installation. Sidelites (if included) can be installed on either the right or left side of the door - the design is universal. Please note: sidelites ship separately and require simple assembly on site. A canopy over the door is recommended to maintain the warranty.

Your front door is your best defender. It protects you, your family, and your most valuable personal belongings from theft and damage. Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. Due to its versatility, metal-plastic entrance doors are perfect for both private houses and shops, offices and administrative buildings. Our doors have several superior features: - Metal-plastic doors – lighter than iron and steel doors, but no less strong and reliable! Scratch and impact resistance, easy of care and environmentally friendly - In principle, we use only all-welded reinforcement, 1/10" thick (!) for the entrance doors. Such reinforcement is a necessary condition for real burglary resistance. - We use an aluminum threshold with a special thermal insert that cuts off the cold from the room. We also complete with an amplifier to securely fix the bottom of the door and cut off the cold. - HPL sandwich panel, consists of foamed extruded Styrofoam, with rigid PVC overlays high pressure on both sides. - Energy savings double-glazed safety windows. - Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold. Introducing the Manux collection of modern metal-plastic doors in a stunning white silk color. These doors are expertly crafted from durable metal-plastic material and feature European roller hinges and an aluminum threshold, ensuring both longevity and security for your home. Model - 8666 Manux Color - Black Glass - Safety Tempered Clear glass. Door thickness - 2 3/4" Frame thickness - 2 3/4" Exterior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Interior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Hardware included: - Aluminum frame 2 3/4" thick - dimensions of the door 72" x 80" with the frame is 74" x 82". - Aluminum threshold. - Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of metal-plastic (uPVC) doors, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys. - Cylinder. - 3D Hinges. - Turnknob for cylinder. - Handles Each door comes prehung in a sturdy frame for easy installation. Sidelites (if included) can be installed on either the right or left side of the door - the design is universal. Please note: sidelites ship separately and require simple assembly on site. A canopy over the door is recommended to maintain the warranty.

SANTA BARBARA, CA / DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL This urban infill, artist loft duplex was located in an overlooked, but well-located, light-commercial zone. It was also the first new residential construction built in the area for decades, the project is located within a 10-square-block area zoned for light-commercial and affectionately dubbed the “Funk Zone” by resident artists and city planners. Only two blocks walking distance to the beach, and a similar distance to the downtown commercial district, this pedestrian-oriented project ideally suits the lifestyles of the owners. Although the two units share equal footprints, the southerly unit features a double-height, north-facing living space. The northerly unit supplants this volume with additional living space. The siting also allows for secure private courtyard entries, maximization of natural light and view-swept, rooftop living space. The design incorporates a raised plinth required by flood zone restrictions to create a peaceful, intimate environment within the somewhat chaotic surrounding context. The disciplined and restrained approach towards the building’s image was intended to make reference to the much-loved Meridian Studios by George Washington Smith. Two roof-decks with outdoor fireplaces and shade trellises extend outdoor living space, contribute ocean and mountain views and provide both refuge and release. Cost-effective materials were selected in order to adhere to the strict budget and to relate to the industrial surroundings. Over-sized pivot doors, “industrial” staircases and cabinetry were constructed on-site by the owners to conserve design integrity within the extremely limited budget. 2000 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Honor Award

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

SANTA BARBARA, CA / DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL This urban infill, artist loft duplex was located in an overlooked, but well-located, light-commercial zone. It was also the first new residential construction built in the area for decades, the project is located within a 10-square-block area zoned for light-commercial and affectionately dubbed the “Funk Zone” by resident artists and city planners. Only two blocks walking distance to the beach, and a similar distance to the downtown commercial district, this pedestrian-oriented project ideally suits the lifestyles of the owners. Although the two units share equal footprints, the southerly unit features a double-height, north-facing living space. The northerly unit supplants this volume with additional living space. The siting also allows for secure private courtyard entries, maximization of natural light and view-swept, rooftop living space. The design incorporates a raised plinth required by flood zone restrictions to create a peaceful, intimate environment within the somewhat chaotic surrounding context. The disciplined and restrained approach towards the building’s image was intended to make reference to the much-loved Meridian Studios by George Washington Smith. Two roof-decks with outdoor fireplaces and shade trellises extend outdoor living space, contribute ocean and mountain views and provide both refuge and release. Cost-effective materials were selected in order to adhere to the strict budget and to relate to the industrial surroundings. Over-sized pivot doors, “industrial” staircases and cabinetry were constructed on-site by the owners to conserve design integrity within the extremely limited budget. 2000 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Honor Award

LAKE TAPPS CUSTOM DECK BUILD Are you ready to start your project? We look forward to working with you on your next remodel or new custom built home, from the design process through construction and delivery. Book a service with us! Consultations, Property Research and Project Consultations, Permit Set, Pierce County Site Visit, Washington State Project Design Review. Indoor, outdoor, and all general construction contracting services! All other services, we have got you covered! https://dcsbuilt.com/commercial-projects https://dcsbuilt.com/contact-us Security, Residential, exterior, entry, installation, install, Development, Permits, architecture, building, commercial, Permit Plan, Elevations, Floor Plans, Site Plan, Exterior, Structural Plan, Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, Modern, contemporary, mid-century, custom, covered deck, deck, cover, roof, extension Anderson Island, Vashon Island, Mcneil Island, Washington, Puget Sound, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor, University Place, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Long Branch, Fort Lewis, Fox Island, Mcchord, Olympia, Shelton, Belfair, Pierce County, King County, Sumner, Puyallup, South Hill, Edgewood, Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Parkland, Graham, Spanaway, Eatonville, Covington, Elk Plain, Tacoma, Kent, Lakewood, Maple Valley, Des Moines, Auburn, Issaquah, New Castle, Tukwilla

This project delivered a complete Day & Night blind upgrade for a residential property in Cambernaud, Glasgow. The aim was to provide flexible light control and privacy while improving thermal performance and modernizing the interior. We supplied and installed made‑to‑measure dual‑layer Day & Night blinds across multiple windows, including long‑drop units requiring reinforced fittings and optional motorization. Scope of Work -Full site survey and precise measurements for each window. - Manufacture and supply of Day & Night dual‑layer blinds tailored to window sizes. - Installation of reinforced headrails for long‑drop blinds and motorization where requested. - Fine tuning for smooth operation, alignment, and secure fixings. - Final client walkthrough, operation demo, and quality check. Materials and Workmanship - Blinds: Made‑to‑measure Day & Night (dual‑layer) blinds with quality fabrics; blackout backing on night layer. - Mechanism: Heavy‑duty headrails; optional motorized drives with remote and manual override. - Installation: Professional fitting with reinforced fixings, precise alignment, and finishing trims. Results and Benefits - Improved light control: Seamless transition from soft daylight filtering to full blackout for privacy and sleep. - Enhanced comfort: Better thermal performance and reduced glare. - Modernized look: Clean, cohesive finish that elevates the room’s appearance. - User convenience: Motorized options provide effortless operation and improved accessibility. For a free measure and quote in Cumbernauld and the greater Glasgow area, contact us to schedule a site visit. We document each project with before and after photos to showcase results.

Your front door is your best defender. It protects you, your family, and your most valuable personal belongings from theft and damage. Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. Due to its versatility, metal-plastic entrance doors are perfect for both private houses and shops, offices and administrative buildings. Our doors have several superior features: - Metal-plastic doors – lighter than iron and steel doors, but no less strong and reliable! Scratch and impact resistance, easy of care and environmentally friendly - In principle, we use only all-welded reinforcement, 1/10" thick (!) for the entrance doors. Such reinforcement is a necessary condition for real burglary resistance. - We use an aluminum threshold with a special thermal insert that cuts off the cold from the room. We also complete with an amplifier to securely fix the bottom of the door and cut off the cold. - HPL sandwich panel, consists of foamed extruded Styrofoam, with rigid PVC overlays high pressure on both sides. - Energy savings double-glazed safety windows. - Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold. Introducing the Manux collection of modern metal-plastic doors in a stunning white silk color. These doors are expertly crafted from durable metal-plastic material and feature European roller hinges and an aluminum threshold, ensuring both longevity and security for your home. Model - 8666 Manux Color - Black Glass - Safety Tempered Clear glass. Door thickness - 2 3/4" Frame thickness - 2 3/4" Exterior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Interior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass. Hardware included: - Aluminum frame 2 3/4" thick - dimensions of the door 72" x 80" with the frame is 74" x 82". - Aluminum threshold. - Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of metal-plastic (uPVC) doors, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys. - Cylinder. - 3D Hinges. - Turnknob for cylinder. - Handles Each door comes prehung in a sturdy frame for easy installation. Sidelites (if included) can be installed on either the right or left side of the door - the design is universal. Please note: sidelites ship separately and require simple assembly on site. A canopy over the door is recommended to maintain the warranty.

This project involved the installation of a custom closet organization system designed to maximize storage, improve functionality, and create a clean, organized appearance. The layout was customized to meet the homeowner's needs, providing dedicated space for hanging clothing, shelving, drawers, and accessories. Our team completed the installation with careful attention to alignment, structural support, and finish quality, ensuring the organizer was securely mounted and seamlessly integrated into the existing space. Every component was installed for long-term durability while maintaining a modern, streamlined aesthetic. Services Performed: Site measurement and layout verification Assembly and installation of custom closet organizer components Installation of shelving, hanging rods, drawers, and storage accessories Secure wall mounting and reinforcement as required Final adjustments, quality inspection, and project cleanup Result: A functional, custom-designed closet that maximizes storage capacity, improves organization, and enhances the overall appearance and value of the home.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

SANTA BARBARA, CA / DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL This urban infill, artist loft duplex was located in an overlooked, but well-located, light-commercial zone. It was also the first new residential construction built in the area for decades, the project is located within a 10-square-block area zoned for light-commercial and affectionately dubbed the “Funk Zone” by resident artists and city planners. Only two blocks walking distance to the beach, and a similar distance to the downtown commercial district, this pedestrian-oriented project ideally suits the lifestyles of the owners. Although the two units share equal footprints, the southerly unit features a double-height, north-facing living space. The northerly unit supplants this volume with additional living space. The siting also allows for secure private courtyard entries, maximization of natural light and view-swept, rooftop living space. The design incorporates a raised plinth required by flood zone restrictions to create a peaceful, intimate environment within the somewhat chaotic surrounding context. The disciplined and restrained approach towards the building’s image was intended to make reference to the much-loved Meridian Studios by George Washington Smith. Two roof-decks with outdoor fireplaces and shade trellises extend outdoor living space, contribute ocean and mountain views and provide both refuge and release. Cost-effective materials were selected in order to adhere to the strict budget and to relate to the industrial surroundings. Over-sized pivot doors, “industrial” staircases and cabinetry were constructed on-site by the owners to conserve design integrity within the extremely limited budget. 2000 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Honor Award

Our doors have several superior features: - Single sheet of metal is used in construction. No welded seams are best as these can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the entranceway. Our doors are also more resilient to mechanic damage, such as sledgehammer strikes. - The advantage of a single, non-welded door is that it reduces internal condensation. Over time, condensation can negatively affect the door mechanisms. - Stiffening Ribs: These non-visible details add to our door's security. - Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold. Introducing our modern exterior entrance door, a stylish addition to any contemporary home or building. Crafted from a single sheet of metal, this door features a sturdy aluminum frame and threshold for added durability and security. The simple yet striking design is perfect for those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic. Upgrade your entrance with our modern exterior entrance door today. Model - 6777 Cynex, Double Doors. Color - Grey Glass - safety triplex, with mirrored-clear effect Door thickness - 3 1/4" Frame thickness - 4" Exterior design - Grey enamel finish with slim vertical glass panel and stainless steel inserts at the top and bottom of the glass. Interior design - Same vertical glass panel with matching stainless steel inserts at the top and bottom; Grey enamel metal finish. Hardware included: - Aluminum frame 4" thick - dimensions of the door 72" x 80" with the frame is 74" x 82". - Aluminum threshold. - Plate-type, primary mortise lock for armoured type of steel doors, locked by 3 key turns, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys. - Cylinder. - 3D Hinges. - Turnknob for lock. - 2 Flush Bolts for second door. - Armor plate for the lock. - 2 Modern Handles VDom smart lock option provides keyless fingerprint access and is available as an add-on. Each door comes prehung in a sturdy aluminum frame for easy installation. Sidelites (if included) can be installed on either the right or left side of the door - the design is universal. Please note: sidelites ship separately and require simple assembly on site.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.

Located on an 80 acre site near Shiner, TX, this open and inviting residence is sited to take advantage of the expansive views and natural breezes. Photovoltaic Collectors and a ground-source geothermal HVAC system are among the technologically advanced features of the house.

A visual artist and his fiancée’s house and studio were designed with various themes in mind, such as the physical context, client needs, security, and a limited budget. Six options were analyzed during the schematic design stage to control the wind from the northeast, sunlight, light quality, cost, energy, and specific operating expenses. By using design performance tools and technologies such as Fluid Dynamics, Energy Consumption Analysis, Material Life Cycle Assessment, and Climate Analysis, sustainable strategies were identified. The building is self-sufficient and will provide the site with an aquifer recharge that does not currently exist. The main masses are distributed around a courtyard, creating a moderately open construction towards the interior and closed to the outside. The courtyard contains a Huizache tree, surrounded by a water mirror that refreshes and forms a central part of the courtyard. The house comprises three main volumes, each oriented at different angles to highlight different views for each area. The patio is the primary circulation stratagem, providing a refuge from the wind, a connection to the sky, and a night sky observatory. We aim to establish a deep relationship with the site by including the open space of the patio.