Search results for "Strategies employed" in Home Design Ideas

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

This beautiful 7500 sq. ft. home was designed to create a private world that unfolds once you’re behind the front door. A central garden floods the core of the home with natural light and lush plants, forming a grotto for the spa and stairs to the lower recreational level. It enjoys breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and employs a variety of sustainable Green elements and passive solar strategies to make it comfortable year round. City, HOA and Coastal Commission approvals were secured.
Cameo Shores Community
Corona del Mar, California

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.
Find the right local pro for your project

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

The home was built as a case study in Sustainable and Energy Efficient building design. Passive Solar design strategies and new construction technologies are employed that marry with the Site and Program goals.
• Solar orientation of the spaces;
• broad eaves for shade;
• natural cross ventilation to take advantage of the delta Breeze;
• Natural Daylighting;
• Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) construction;
• FSC-certified lumber and cedar siding;
• High Efficiency insulations, windows and lighting;
• pre-finished fiber cement Rain-screen siding;
• thermal mass polished concrete floors with radiant heating;,
• Photovoltaic solar power ready butterfly roof.
©serrao design/architecture, unless otherwise noted

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

This room achieves a sense of airy lightness with a phenomenal amount of storage space. One of the most impressive features of this space is the innovative island. The suspended cabinets and two posts draw the eye upward to the open space above the worktop. The cook top on the island is surrounded by countertop space, which gives the cook plenty of room for all utensils, ingredients and cookbooks.
One wall of the kitchen is filled with great storage. Four Utility Cabinets with roll-out trays make it easy to stay organized. In between the tall storage area is a countertop. Away from the main work areas, this countertop space is ideal for decorative items. Or make the area more functional by placing beautiful storage containers for keeping baked goods and other homemade treats both fresh and easily accessible. We've also included Wall Cabinets with glass doors and inset lighting to make sure this wall of cabinetry maintains a light look and feel. It's also a lovely spot to display favorite dishes, art, glass or pottery.
We've employed a similar design strategy with the wall of cabinets directly behind the island. A Wall Plate Rack gives visual interest and a needed touch of lightness to a block of Wall Cabinets.
A beautiful play of light and dark, the black flooring and cabinet tops provide a needed contrast to the light natural finish of the cabinets.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Three generations have shared summers together at this very special place called Merry Hill. Recognizing their shifting needs and looking forward to future generations, the clients wanted to both drastically change their beloved family lake house and yet not change it at all. This new iteration of the cottage is nearly double the size of the original, transforming their summer home into a four-season getaway while evoking the character of the original house in a new and fresh way.
The main cottage, boathouse and sleeping cabin all have broad, shallow-pitched roofs with generous overhangs that derive their form from their mid-century predecessor. Expansive openings, wood interiors, operable clerestories, and local stone double-stacked fireplaces are all familiar to the clients but rendered in different scales. Designed for resiliency and sustainability, the new retreat employs an integrated generator, geothermal heating, solar arrays, and battery storage as well as incorporates passive strategies such as sun orientation, earth sheltering, and cross ventilation to keep the interior at an ideal temperature all year round. The resulting form, detailing, and material selections of this new build allows for the seamless continuity of memory-making for a sentimental family.

Sometimes, all a space needs is a face-lift to effect a transformation; such was the case for this project. This complete bathroom renovation was all about adding color and panache to the existing space. The layout remained much the same, but the finishing touches made all the difference.
Our team installed sleek, high-quality modern fixtures, including the faucets, toilet and the light fixture. We also employed space-saving strategies at the owner’s request. For example, the wall-mounted, low-profile vanity and glass splashguard (in lieu of a full door) lend a feeling of expansiveness and ease to the bathroom.
Want to revitalize and refresh a space in your home? Contact the Houseplay team today!
Photo Credit: Anne Ruthmann Photography

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

Three generations have shared summers together at this very special place called Merry Hill. Recognizing their shifting needs and looking forward to future generations, the clients wanted to both drastically change their beloved family lake house and yet not change it at all. This new iteration of the cottage is nearly double the size of the original, transforming their summer home into a four-season getaway while evoking the character of the original house in a new and fresh way.
The main cottage, boathouse and sleeping cabin all have broad, shallow-pitched roofs with generous overhangs that derive their form from their mid-century predecessor. Expansive openings, wood interiors, operable clerestories, and local stone double-stacked fireplaces are all familiar to the clients but rendered in different scales. Designed for resiliency and sustainability, the new retreat employs an integrated generator, geothermal heating, solar arrays, and battery storage as well as incorporates passive strategies such as sun orientation, earth sheltering, and cross ventilation to keep the interior at an ideal temperature all year round. The resulting form, detailing, and material selections of this new build allows for the seamless continuity of memory-making for a sentimental family.

Madrona Passive House, a new Seattle home designed by SHED Architecture & Design and built by Hammer & Hand, combines contemporary design with high performance building to create an environmentally responsive and resource-efficient house.
The home’s airtight, super-insulated building envelope and passive design minimize energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort to occupants. A heat recovery ventilator supplies constant fresh air to the home’s interior while recovering 90% of thermal energy from exhaust air for reuse inside. A rooftop solar photovoltaic array will provide enough energy to offset most, perhaps all, of the home’s energy consumption on a net annual basis. To manage stormwater the project employs permeable pavers for site hardscape and two cisterns to capture and control rainwater from the home’s roof and the green roof on the garage.
By investing in sustainable site development strategies, efficient building systems and an advanced envelope, the project aims to respect the home’s environmentally critical site and achieve one of the world’s most demanding building energy standards: Passive House.
Photos by Mark Woods Photography.

When your apartment boasts spectacular river and city views, you want this vista to be the star attraction. The best strategy for achieving this is employing a quiet, serene and monochromatic theme. Here it’s ¾” rift cut white oak with a natural finish throughout. Flat panel doors with beveled integral finger recesses reinforce the clean concept. White oak flooring adds to the calm environment.
One of the home’s studies is adjacent to the dining room, separated only by sliding smoked glass doors. The study can be closed off while entertaining, but the scenery is still within view. Bookcases lining opposite walls feature drawer storage on the bottom and 2” wide floor-to-ceiling stiles dividing the sections and contributing a prominent vertical element. 2” thick wood countertops match the 2” shelves that incorporate routed grooves in their undersides housing LED strips to illuminate the contents. On one wall is a suspended desktop that aligns with the countertops and provides a convenient computer station.
Furnishings wisely complement the monochromatic motif with upholstery, throw pillows, drapery and area rugs in shades of cream and beige. But the wooden legs, dining table and accent pieces deliver touches of contrast with their dark stained walnut finishes.
This project was done in collaboration with Sarah Witkin, AIA of Bilotta Architecture, and Michelle Pereira of Innato Interiors LLC. Photography by Stefan Radtke.

When your apartment boasts spectacular river and city views, you want this vista to be the star attraction. The best strategy for achieving this is employing a quiet, serene and monochromatic theme. Here it’s ¾” rift cut white oak with a natural finish throughout. Flat panel doors with beveled integral finger recesses reinforce the clean concept. White oak flooring adds to the calm environment.
One of the home’s studies is adjacent to the dining room, separated only by sliding smoked glass doors. The study can be closed off while entertaining, but the scenery is still within view. Bookcases lining opposite walls feature drawer storage on the bottom and 2” wide floor-to-ceiling stiles dividing the sections and contributing a prominent vertical element. 2” thick wood countertops match the 2” shelves that incorporate routed grooves in their undersides housing LED strips to illuminate the contents. On one wall is a suspended desktop that aligns with the countertops and provides a convenient computer station.
Furnishings wisely complement the monochromatic motif with upholstery, throw pillows, drapery and area rugs in shades of cream and beige. But the wooden legs, dining table and accent pieces deliver touches of contrast with their dark stained walnut finishes.
This project was done in collaboration with Sarah Witkin, AIA of Bilotta Architecture, and Michelle Pereira of Innato Interiors LLC. Photography by Stefan Radtke.

Sometimes, all a space needs is a face-lift to effect a transformation; such was the case for this project. This complete bathroom renovation was all about adding color and panache to the existing space. The layout remained much the same, but the finishing touches made all the difference.
Our team installed sleek, high-quality modern fixtures, including the faucets, toilet and the light fixture. We also employed space-saving strategies at the owner’s request. For example, the wall-mounted, low-profile vanity and glass splashguard (in lieu of a full door) lend a feeling of expansiveness and ease to the bathroom.
Want to revitalize and refresh a space in your home? Contact the Houseplay team today!
Photo Credit: Anne Ruthmann Photography
3
