Gadget charging drawer located in the kitchen. Black felt protects the gadgets from scratches. Photo by Tom Spanier
Elegant galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Photography: Dan Piassick
Transitional dark wood floor hallway photo in Dallas with white walls

The Potager, a kitchen garden, just a few steps from the kitchen door, creates a world that restores and recharges the senses, enriching the everyday experience of home and place. Photography: Charles Hugh Moretz, Jr.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

This builder standard bath was remade into the owners private retreat. Frameless shower glass shower and a soaking tub make this a relaxing experience. Custom Cabinets with plenty of electrical connections for recharging and appliances ease the morning rush to get ready for work.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Home design - transitional home design idea in Orange County

Recently, our Docking Drawer Blade Series Outlets were specified for a kitchen remodel. Big thanks to Ultimate Kitchen and Bath for introducing a kitchen charging station by Docking Drawer. For a full list of powering and charging solutions available by Docking Drawer, visit our website or our Houzz store.

Alchemy Architects, Geoffrey Warner
Urban home design photo in Minneapolis