A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

Travis J Photography
Inspiration for a transitional formal living room remodel in Salt Lake City with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Tricia Shay Photography
Mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior idea in Milwaukee with a shed roof

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

Lisa Romerein
Cottage open concept and formal living room photo in San Francisco with beige walls and a wood stove

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/

Full kitchen remodel. Main goal = open the space (removed overhead wooden structure). New configuration, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, panel-ready appliances (GE Monogram), farmhouse sink, faucet, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, track and sconce lighting, paint, bar stools, accessories.

Inspiration for a large rustic home studio remodel in Los Angeles

Ulimited Style Photography http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49412194/list/patio-details-a-relaxing-front-yard-retreat-in-los-angeles

Klopf Architecture’s client, a family of four with young children, wanted to update their recently purchased home to meet their growing needs across generations. It was essential to maintain the mid-century modern style throughout the project but most importantly, they wanted more natural light brought into the dark kitchen and cramped bathrooms while creating a smoother connection between the kitchen, dining and family room. The kitchen was expanded into the dining area, using part of the original kitchen area as a butler's pantry. With the main kitchen brought out into an open space with new larger windows and two skylights the space became light, open, and airy. Custom cabinetry from Henrybuilt throughout the kitchen and butler's pantry brought functionality to the space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and widening the opening from the dining room to the living room created a more open and natural flow between the spaces. New redwood siding was installed in the entry foyer to match the original siding in the family room so it felt original to the house and consistent between the spaces. Oak flooring was installed throughout the house enhancing the movement between the new kitchen and adjacent areas. The two original bathrooms felt dark and cramped so they were expanded and also feature larger windows, modern fixtures and new Heath tile throughout. Custom vanities also from Henrybuilt bring a unified look and feel from the kitchen into the new bathrooms. Designs included plans for a future in-law unit to accommodate the needs of an older generation. The house is much brighter, feels more unified with wider open site lines that provide the family with a better transition and seamless connection between spaces. This mid-century modern remodel is a 2,743 sf, 4 bedroom/3 bath home located in Lafayette, CA. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf and Angela Todorova Contractor: Don Larwood Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Structural Engineering, Inc. Landscape Designer: n/a Photography ©2018 Scott Maddern Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2018 Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqxfwk7wdot9jja/AADWuIcsHHE-AGPfq13u5htda?dl=0

Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck.

Transitional kitchen photo in Portland Maine

Kids' room - scandinavian gender-neutral medium tone wood floor kids' room idea in Other with blue walls

Timberframe with exposed cardecking over sanded concrete patio.
Example of a large classic backyard concrete patio kitchen design in Seattle with a gazebo

The clients approached us with an addition that was failing structurally and a 1950’s era kitchen that was in serious need of updating. Alloy created a new addition to accommodate a larger bathroom, a laundry room and a small mudroom. The addition also includes a portico that opens to the clients wonderful gardens in the back. The kitchen was also opened up to the dining room creating more light and natural flow throughout the house. Our client, a landscape architect, wanted a view from the kitchen that looks into the gardens at the back of the house. The bathroom has exposed joists and clerestory windows bathing the whole room in natural light while allowing for privacy. The same tile was used throughout but in multiple scales creating interesting textures while maintaining a cohesive palette and a serene ambiance. Andrea Hubbel Photography

Photos by Tina Witherspoon Photography.
Example of a mid-sized trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room design in Seattle with white walls

Reach-in closet - mid-sized contemporary light wood floor and beige floor reach-in closet idea in Chicago with open cabinets and white cabinets

David Lauer Photography
1950s light wood floor kitchen photo in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a minimalist built-in desk gray floor, wood ceiling and wood wall home office design in San Francisco