Design ideas for a transitional landscaping in San Francisco.

Old lawn was transformed into a drought-resistant garden offering ever-changing colors and textures. Turf removal rebate from the local water agency helped offset the cost. A new stucco wall with iron gates were built to create an enclosed porch/courtyard to give homeowners a much-needed buffer between their home and the hustle and bustle of a big city . Recycled bricks grace the new wide walkway and enclosed porch. Photo: April Rocha Photography

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.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Set on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Georgia, this rustic modern farmhouse sits close enough to the shoreline that a private dock runs straight off the back yard, with the Blue Ridge visible across the water. A tin-gray metal roof breaks into multiple gables and dormers over crisp white board-and-batten siding, while wood-tone shutters and a flagstone entry path bring in the rustic warmth. A full-width covered porch — deep enough for a run of rocking chairs — opens directly onto the lake and mountain view. Inside, the great room carries that same rustic-farmhouse language up to a vaulted, shiplap-clad ceiling crossed with exposed wood beams. A reclaimed sliding barn door anchors one end of the room, while a wall of glass doors keeps the water in view from the sofa.

Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Phoenix with a fire pit for summer.

With the expansion of the patio, a great place was created for a conversation area under the shade of an umbrella. Renn Kuhnen Photography
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Elegant Houston estate with classic architectural design and lush landscaping. The symmetrical façade features large windows and a welcoming entryway, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Beautifully manicured lawns and gardens enhance the home's stately appearance, while strategically placed outdoor lighting highlights its grandeur during the evening.

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A French-Normandy style home surrounded by traditional gardens and modern amenities, this was a restoration planned to match the home. The gardens are formal, with straight lines and perfect hedges, with a fountain as a focal point in the most formal garden. Expansive lawns on different levels are also prevalent. Spaces are connected with paths: some formal, some rustic, and some covered. And of course there is a living room with fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a pool with a pergola for shade, and a vegetable garden as part of the design. With the extensive space still available there will be additions to the design in the future. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan