Build Your Dream Home Theater with HI Solutions Transform your living space into the ultimate cinema experience with HI Solutions. Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused room, or even just your living room, our expert team can create a custom home theater that exceeds your expectations. Why Choose HI Solutions for Your Home Theater? Expert Consultation: Our specialists work with you to design a home theater that fits your space and lifestyle. We consider every detail, from room acoustics to seating arrangements, ensuring a perfect setup. Customized Solutions: No matter the size or shape of your space, we tailor our designs to meet your specific needs. From luxurious, dedicated theater rooms to versatile living room setups, HI Solutions brings your vision to life. High-Quality Equipment: We use the latest in audio-visual technology, including 4K projectors, surround sound systems, and smart home integration. Enjoy crystal-clear visuals and immersive sound that make you feel like you're part of the action. Professional Installation: Our experienced technicians handle everything from wiring and mounting to system calibration, ensuring a seamless installation. We take care of the technical details so you can focus on enjoying your new home theater. Ongoing Support: HI Solutions offers comprehensive support and maintenance services, ensuring your home theater continues to perform at its best. We're always here to help with any questions or upgrades. Unfinished Space? Unused Room? Living Room? We’ve Got You Covered Unfinished Basement: Turn your basement or attic into a state-of-the-art home theater. HI Solutions can transform even the most challenging spaces into a cinematic paradise. Unused Room: Maximize the potential of any spare room by converting it into a dedicated theater room. Our designs optimize space and functionality, giving you a private escape for movie nights. Living Room: Create a multi-functional living room with a high-quality theater setup. We seamlessly integrate technology into your existing decor, providing an exceptional entertainment experience without compromising style. Get Started with HI Solutions Today

Hayden Master Spa: 18-Head Digital Hydrotherapy & Total Sensory Wellness This master en-suite in Hayden, Idaho, is a masterclass in high-tech wellness and custom engineering. We moved beyond standard luxury to create a "Total Immersion" environment, centered around a massive, custom-tiled steam suite that functions as a private residential spa. This project demonstrates our ability to integrate complex computerized systems with high-end architectural finishes. The Ultimate Spa Features: 18-Head Digital Shower Matrix: The heart of the suite is a Kohler DTV digital interface, controlling a massive array of 18 total water outlets. This includes a ceiling-mounted rainforest head, high-pressure wall-mounted massaging body sprayers, and precision handshowers—all programmable for a customized hydrotherapy experience. Polk Audio Soundscape: To create a truly immersive atmosphere, we integrated a high-fidelity Polk Audio sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. These moisture-resistant, marine-grade speakers are built directly into the shower architecture, providing crisp, studio-quality audio. Integrated Towel Warmer: For the ultimate post-shower experience, we installed a professional-grade towel warmer. This feature ensures that the spa feeling doesn't end when the water stops, providing perfectly heated towels that complement the overall warmth of the room. Intelligent Thermal Control: Beneath the large-format Italian porcelain tile, we installed a thermostat-controlled radiant heating system. This provides invisible, consistent warmth that extends from the vanity area directly into the shower floor. Artisan Custom Cabinetry: The technical complexity is balanced by furniture-grade custom cabinetry featuring matching vertical storage towers and LED-lit mirrors with integrated magnification for perfect task lighting. Freestanding Air Tub: The en-suite is rounded out with a luxury air therapy tub and a precision floor-mounted Kohler filler, perfectly positioned for a quiet retreat.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

"We looked for a long time to find the best tiles for our basement and found them at greatmats. Our house is from the early 1900’s and the undulating basement slab doesn’t have a vapor barrier below it, so we needed a tile that was flexible and water resistant. This tile was perfect and installed in minutes. We would recommend this product to everyone." - Michael https://www.greatmats.com/tiles/decking-tiles.php

Build Your Dream Home Theater with HI Solutions Transform your living space into the ultimate cinema experience with HI Solutions. Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused room, or even just your living room, our expert team can create a custom home theater that exceeds your expectations. Why Choose HI Solutions for Your Home Theater? Expert Consultation: Our specialists work with you to design a home theater that fits your space and lifestyle. We consider every detail, from room acoustics to seating arrangements, ensuring a perfect setup. Customized Solutions: No matter the size or shape of your space, we tailor our designs to meet your specific needs. From luxurious, dedicated theater rooms to versatile living room setups, HI Solutions brings your vision to life. High-Quality Equipment: We use the latest in audio-visual technology, including 4K projectors, surround sound systems, and smart home integration. Enjoy crystal-clear visuals and immersive sound that make you feel like you're part of the action. Professional Installation: Our experienced technicians handle everything from wiring and mounting to system calibration, ensuring a seamless installation. We take care of the technical details so you can focus on enjoying your new home theater. Ongoing Support: HI Solutions offers comprehensive support and maintenance services, ensuring your home theater continues to perform at its best. We're always here to help with any questions or upgrades. Unfinished Space? Unused Room? Living Room? We’ve Got You Covered Unfinished Basement: Turn your basement or attic into a state-of-the-art home theater. HI Solutions can transform even the most challenging spaces into a cinematic paradise. Unused Room: Maximize the potential of any spare room by converting it into a dedicated theater room. Our designs optimize space and functionality, giving you a private escape for movie nights. Living Room: Create a multi-functional living room with a high-quality theater setup. We seamlessly integrate technology into your existing decor, providing an exceptional entertainment experience without compromising style. Get Started with HI Solutions Today

After long waiting, Expo Milan 2015 has finally opened its doors! Among more than 140 pavilions to describe the world, UAE pavilions , an imposing structure , including a theater and the Emir apartment was created . The pavilion, which stands for modernity, is one of the larger lots of Expo Milano 2015, and benefits from a privileged location, right in the center of the exhibition, alongside the main axis Decumanus. The FOSTER+PARTNERS architectural office , who designed it, was able to reflect the country's cultural heritage and in particular its focus on sustainable development. The amazing shape is shaped by a series of rippled walls, with a height over 12 meters, evoking both the shaded streets of country’s historic settlements , and the magnificent sand dunes of its deserts. There is also a charming green space dedicated to the native vegetation. At the end of the World Fair The lot will be dismantled and reassembled in Masdar City. THE CONTRIBUTION OF GRASSI PIETRE Grassi Pietre also participated in the creation of this wonderful project by FOSTER+PARTNERS. In particular (on behalf of Tecton, Reggio Emilia - Italy) the company from Nanto (Vicenza - Italy) provided 500 square meters of flooring in Trani Biancone - slabs 120x70x2 cm in honed finish - used for the Emir apartment (located inside the pavilion) and the lower level flooring adjacent to the auditorium. The Grassi Pietre marble was also used to clad the interior stairs leading to the apartment: Grassi Pietre provided the Trani Biancone for the shaped stairs, 3 cm thick honed surface. Moreover, Grassi Pietre also supplied 40 square meters of floor in marble Trani Biancone, in sandblasted finish (4 cm thick), for the outside terraces. The external staircase was built instead in Trani Bronzetto. All the outside surface have a non slippery bushhammered surface. TRANI BIANCONE And BRONZETTO Trani is a marble that moves between shades of beige (Bronzetto ), ivory (Biancone ) and rosé. The nuance changes depending on the variety. It is characterized by the many thin and sinuous veins. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Year of execution: 2014/2015 Lot size: 4386 m² Height: 12 m Capacity: 785 people/hour Location: Milano - Expo 2015 GRASSI PIETRE SRL (material supplier described above) via Madonetta, 2 | 36024 Nanto (Vi) Italy | www.grassipietre.it | info@grassipietre.it | www.facebook.com/grassipietre | TECTON SOC. COOP (Realization) via Galliano, 10 | 42124 Reggio Emilia Italy | www.tecton.it | info@tecton.it | FOSTER + PARTNERS (Design Studio) www.fosterandpartners.com PHOTO CREDITS: Cristian Iotti | www.cristianiotti.com |

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Toronto with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Accoya was selected as the ideal material for this breathtaking home in West Vancouver. Accoya was used for the railing, siding, fencing and soffits throughout the property. In addition, an Accoya handrail was specifically custom designed by Upper Canada Forest Products. Design Duo Matt McLeod and Lisa Bovell of McLeod Bovell Modern houses switched between fluidity, plasticity, malleability and even volumetric design to try capture their process of space-making. Unlike anything surrounding it, this home’s irregular shape and atypical residential building materials are more akin to modern-day South American projects that stem from their surroundings to showcase concrete’s versatility. This is why the Accoya was left in its rough state, to accentuate the minimalist and harmonious aesthetics of its natural environment. Photo Credit: Martin Tessler

Wolf 30" E Series Contemporary Built-In Double Oven Black | DO30CE Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com Coordinated design styles: Built to beautifully complement other Wolf products such as microwaves and warming drawers, ovens are available in three coordinating trim styles for easy customization. Dual convection: Two dedicated heating elements distribute heat evenly throughout the oven, for faster and better-tasting results — especially when using multiple racks at once. 10 one-touch cooking modes: Each mode uses a distinct combination of heat source and airflow, providing the right cooking environment for every dish and ensuring delicious results. Cobalt blue porcelain interiors: Wolf's signature aesthetics enhance the ovens' interior, creating a bold cooking backdrop. Temperature probe: The temperature probe alerts you when your dish has reached the desired temperature, eliminating guesswork when preparing roasts and other meats. Smooth door opening and closing: Say goodbye to the sound of oven-door slams. Doors on built-in E series ovens open and close quietly and effortlessly, thanks to a balanced door hinge system. Home automation compatible: Select built-in E series oven features can be controlled via an existing home automation system for enhanced convenience. Convenient features: Ease-of-use is enhanced with self-clean, delayed start, timed cook and Sabbath mode settings. Lower oven features: The lower oven is a standard, non-convection oven offering four cooking modes (bake, broil, roast and proof). Adjustable oven racks: Each built-in E series oven comes standard with three adjustable racks: one standard rack, one full-extension easy-glide rack and one full-extension door-glide rack — placing heavier dishes safely within reach. Obstacle-free cooking environment: A hidden bake element allows for obstacle-free cleaning of the oven's floor, and a recessed broil element provides more room for large dishes. Design flexibility: Built-in E series ovens can be installed flush with surrounding cabinetry to complement an overall integrated kitchen design. Enhanced interior views: Large, double-pane glass door windows and bright, dual halogen lights give you a clear view of your dish without having to open the door and disturb the cooking environment. Technical Features: Dimensions: 29 7/8"W x 50 3/8"H x 23 3/4"D Star-K Kosher certified as Sabbath and holiday-compliant

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Wolf 30" E Series Transitional Built-In Single Oven Stainless Steel | SO30TE Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com New stainless steel touch-control panel: A favorite of chefs, the easy-to-master control panel now has a sleeker, cleaner look, with the same precise control of temperature, timer and mode settings — all visible via crisp LCD display. Coordinated design styles: Built to beautifully complement other Wolf products such as microwaves and warming drawers, ovens are available in three coordinating trim styles for easy customization. Dual convection: Two dedicated heating elements distribute heat evenly throughout the oven, for faster and better-tasting results — especially when using multiple racks at once. 10 one-touch cooking modes: Each mode uses a distinct combination of heat source and airflow, providing the right cooking environment for every dish and ensuring delicious results. Cobalt blue porcelain interiors: Wolf's signature aesthetics enhance the ovens' interior, creating a bold cooking backdrop. Temperature probe: The temperature probe alerts you when your dish has reached the desired temperature, eliminating guesswork when preparing roasts and other meats. Smooth door opening and closing: Say goodbye to the sound of oven-door slams. Doors on built-in E series ovens open and close quietly and effortlessly, thanks to a balanced door hinge system. Home automation compatible: Select built-in E series oven features can be controlled via an existing home automation system for enhanced convenience. Convenient features: Ease-of-use is enhanced with self-clean, delayed start, timed cook and Sabbath mode settings. Adjustable oven racks: Each built-in E series oven comes standard with three adjustable racks: one standard rack, one full-extension easy-glide rack and one full-extension door-glide rack — placing heavier dishes safely within reach. Obstacle-free cooking environment: A hidden bake element allows for obstacle-free cleaning of the oven's floor, and a recessed broil element provides more room for large dishes. Design flexibility: Built-in E series ovens can be installed flush with surrounding cabinetry to complement an overall integrated kitchen design. Enhanced interior views: Large, double-pane glass door windows and bright, dual halogen lights give you a clear view of your dish without having to open the door and disturb the cooking environment. Technical Features: Dimensions: 29 7/8"W x 27 7/8"H x 23 3/4"D Star-K Kosher certified as Sabbath and holiday-compliant

A Family Retreat in Rural Ontario The clients for this project live abroad, and sought a Canadian homestead — an anchor — for their large, young family. During summer and winter holidays, the parents wanted their children immersed in an Ontario landscape like the one in which they were raised. To this end, they requested a “rustic, modern retreat” for their 100-acre property of forest, wetland, and meadows. The family sought a generous home to allow young teenagers and extended family to be comfortable in a remote area for long stays. They sought a casual, comfortable space for the family and their dogs that would encourage activities like hiking and snowshoeing — no fancy entertaining. Under One Roof The most powerful aspect of the design is the long, tent-like roof, which follows the site’s topography. The roof and its ridge beam became the design’s primary focus, shaping the circulation path through the home’s interior, ultimately extending a view toward the forest. A primary technical challenge was the roof’s structure, which despite its 60-metre length needed to seem light. The folds and angles of the steel roof are supported by the meandering ridge-beam. The roof cantilevers and tapers at all edges. At the entry side of the house, the roof lifts like a bird’s wing off the garage volume beneath, sheltering an outdoor terrace. Playing with Heavy and Light Monolithic slate-clad volumes anchor the home and define the space between the curtains of glass. These opaque volumes echo the property’s rock outcrops. The garage, bathrooms, stairs, and pantry are grouped inside, and appear to hold up the dynamic roof. Steel construction was chosen to avoid using the expected material of heavy timber for this forest getaway. Being cognizant of the clients’ desire for a warm interior, it was also important to avoid modernist tendencies for box-like forms. Because the main floor is lifted above the ground and the topography falls away, the main floor is in the treetops while simultaneously filling the lower recreation area with light. A Contemporary Approach to Warmth and Closeness The continuous space of the home, with only bedrooms and bathrooms closed off, is a layout that underscores closeness. The family areas and parents’ area are on the main level. The kids’ bedrooms are bundled into a single slate-clad volume, suspended like a cocoon above the main floor from a 40’ steel beam and accessed by a catwalk. Sustainability To avoid cutting trees, the home was placed on an existing cleared ridge overlooking a wildflower meadow. The home is heated and cooled via a geothermal unit with summer solar gain reduced by significant roof overhangs. The glass walls are triple-pane, and high-efficiency fixtures and equipment for the well and septic system help reduce the home’s environmental impact. Historically, the Canadian identity has been defined by our relationship to the land. Fulfilling the client’s mandate, the home honours that emotional connection through visual and material harmonization with its surroundings.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope: Transform a little-used room in the client’s lower level into an entertainment center, featuring a 1,500-bottle refrigerated wine cabinet, a wet bar, a custom-made bookshelves surround for existing hearth, and television hanging built-ins. Challenges: Primary technical challenge was to find a way to unobtrusively install a large “split system” chilling unit to service the wine cooler. Solutions The contractor started with a rectangular space that was appreciably stripped down, except for the fireplace at the far end. An adjacent room housed a professional pool table. The client’s primary concern was how to situate the custom-built wine rack were to specify and fabricate. Although there was plenty of space in niche to the left of the stairway, there was no obvious way to locate the wine rack’s chilling unit for ducting and chiller unit. Both client and contractor agreed that the logical setting for the rack would be along the short wall adjacent to the room’s entrance. But the short wall afforded no room for the chiller, a “split system” unit that needed adequate “breathing room” to avoid overheating After many design sketches, the contractor had a tentative solution: house the chilling unit in a utility room behind the stairs leading to the basement. This would keep the unit out of sight and muffle the sound of the compressor. Then question was how to “circumnavigate” the stairwell and run plumbing lines from the utility room – which was about 20 feet away — to the rack. A floor-level path would be exposed to possible damage and aesthetically unpleasing. Installing the line in the concrete slab flooring would be difficult and expensive – and any repairs to the line would mean tearing up the floor.The only alternative, the contractor suggested, would be to route the lines overhead – run them straight up from the chilling unit, over the joists above, and around the back of the stair case. Once past the staircase, it was straight shot above the joists to the short wall; the lines would then run behind the wall to the wine cooler resting on the floor. This highly creative solution pleased the client greatly: it not only isolated the chilling unit, but allowed it to be easily serviced; the lines were protected and out of sight; and the wine rack – situated as it was in the room – seemed like it was part of the original house design. At that point, the contractor needed a wine rack design that seemed equally “original” to the home – and here, too, the challenge was met. Custom-built cabinetry span the length of the wall, with two floor-level cabinets flanking the wine cooler. Above, twin glass-facing walnut displays – lighted and rising nearly to the ceiling – rest on a black marble countertop, showcasing the client’s impressive wine collection. On the long wall perpendicular to the rack, a widescreen television hangs between two built-in bookcases designed by the contractor. The firm also fabricated the two bookcases now flanking the original fireplace in the far end wall – as well as the glass-faced hanging cabinets which are lighted above the newly installed wet bar.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Set in a quiet neighborhood and framed by mature trees, this residence presented a unique opportunity: to thoughtfully evolve a custom mid-century modern home into a space that supports the everyday rhythms of a growing family. With a deep respect for the home’s original architecture, Klopf Architecture reimagined the house to better meet the needs of its owners—introducing functional improvements while preserving the spirit and character of its mid-century roots. The clients approached Klopf Architecture with a clear vision: refresh their home while seamlessly integrating new programmatic elements. Key goals included clarifying and enhancing the entry sequence; connecting the detached garage to the main house with a practical yet architecturally intentional intervention; adding functional spaces such as a mudroom and laundry room; expanding and remodeling the primary suite’s bathroom and closet; and creating a more engaging outdoor space that capitalized on the site’s impressive views, featuring a fire pit and outdoor kitchen. As a couple with distinct yet complementary perspectives—one focused on modern functionality and technology, and the other dedicated to preserving the home’s architectural integrity—their collaboration with Klopf Architecture resulted in a solution that harmonized both ideals. Their shared commitment to improving the livability of their home led to a design dialogue rooted in balance. This dynamic partnership shaped the direction of the renovation, ensuring that every decision honored the spirit of the original home while aligning with the practical needs of their growing family. Designing within the constraints of the sloped site posed one of the project’s central challenges. The detached garage sat at a higher elevation than the main house, requiring a solution that ensured architectural and geometric compatibility between the two structures. Rather than create a purely utilitarian link, Klopf Architecture introduced an intentional connection that contributes to the overall architectural language. A notable pinch point in the plan—where differing geometries converged—was treated as a hinge point, turning a potentially awkward juncture into an architectural feature. This area now functions as both a transition and a moment of design interest that unifies the overall plan. The design also addressed the underutilized outdoor area, which was located in a shadowed portion of the site with geometrical limitations. A new connection to the rear deck was created in this same area, making the outdoor space more useful and inviting. Klopf Architecture introduced carefully positioned openings and spatial improvements that forged a strong visual and functional connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor area now reads as a deliberate extension of the home, embracing natural light and emphasizing the dramatic views. Working through multiple design iterations, Klopf Architecture crafted a solution that preserved the architectural language of the original home while supporting the functional needs of modern life. The garage-to-house connection became more than a passage—it evolved into an architectural moment of transition. A new mudroom and laundry space enhanced convenience without compromising the clean lines of the design. The primary suite was expanded to create a private, serene retreat. The reimagined backyard, complete with fire pit and kitchen, now plays a vital role in the family’s daily routine and social life. Outcomes and Lasting Impact The result is a home that balances heritage with contemporary design, technical precision with design sensibility. The redesign not only met the clients’ initial goals but also exceeded expectations in its ability to seamlessly blend past and present, function and beauty, making the outdoor kitchen a favorite gathering place. Beyond aesthetics, the renovation has significantly improved daily life for the family. The newly integrated garage connection has streamlined routines, providing a seamless transition between arriving home, storing belongings, and entering the main living spaces. The expanded primary suite offers a retreat-like atmosphere, creating a private space to unwind at the end of the day. The redesigned outdoor areas have also become an extension of their lifestyle—whether it's casual family dinners around the fire pit, entertaining friends in the outdoor kitchen, or simply enjoying the view from the reimagined backyard. Through a thoughtful and strategic approach, the house has been successfully evolved into a home that remains true to its mid-century modern roots while enhancing livability, functionality, and the overall quality of life for the modern-day owners. Klopf Architecture Team: Geoffrey Campen, Fernanda Bernardes Architectural Interior Design: Klopf Architecture Structural Engineer: Base Design Inc. Contractor: Golden Snail Builders Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed:2022

After long waiting, Expo Milan 2015 has finally opened its doors! Among more than 140 pavilions to describe the world, UAE pavilions , an imposing structure , including a theater and the Emir apartment was created . The pavilion, which stands for modernity, is one of the larger lots of Expo Milano 2015, and benefits from a privileged location, right in the center of the exhibition, alongside the main axis Decumanus. The FOSTER+PARTNERS architectural office , who designed it, was able to reflect the country's cultural heritage and in particular its focus on sustainable development. The amazing shape is shaped by a series of rippled walls, with a height over 12 meters, evoking both the shaded streets of country’s historic settlements , and the magnificent sand dunes of its deserts. There is also a charming green space dedicated to the native vegetation. At the end of the World Fair The lot will be dismantled and reassembled in Masdar City. THE CONTRIBUTION OF GRASSI PIETRE Grassi Pietre also participated in the creation of this wonderful project by FOSTER+PARTNERS. In particular (on behalf of Tecton, Reggio Emilia - Italy) the company from Nanto (Vicenza - Italy) provided 500 square meters of flooring in Trani Biancone - slabs 120x70x2 cm in honed finish - used for the Emir apartment (located inside the pavilion) and the lower level flooring adjacent to the auditorium. The Grassi Pietre marble was also used to clad the interior stairs leading to the apartment: Grassi Pietre provided the Trani Biancone for the shaped stairs, 3 cm thick honed surface. Moreover, Grassi Pietre also supplied 40 square meters of floor in marble Trani Biancone, in sandblasted finish (4 cm thick), for the outside terraces. The external staircase was built instead in Trani Bronzetto. All the outside surface have a non slippery bushhammered surface. TRANI BIANCONE And BRONZETTO Trani is a marble that moves between shades of beige (Bronzetto ), ivory (Biancone ) and rosé. The nuance changes depending on the variety. It is characterized by the many thin and sinuous veins. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Year of execution: 2014/2015 Lot size: 4386 m² Height: 12 m Capacity: 785 people/hour Location: Milano - Expo 2015 GRASSI PIETRE SRL (material supplier described above) via Madonetta, 2 | 36024 Nanto (Vi) Italy | www.grassipietre.it | info@grassipietre.it | www.facebook.com/grassipietre | TECTON SOC. COOP (Realization) via Galliano, 10 | 42124 Reggio Emilia Italy | www.tecton.it | info@tecton.it | FOSTER + PARTNERS (Design Studio) www.fosterandpartners.com PHOTO CREDITS: Cristian Iotti | www.cristianiotti.com |

Wolf 30" E Series Contemporary Built-In Single Oven Black | SO30CE Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com Coordinated design styles: Built to beautifully complement other Wolf products such as microwaves and warming drawers, ovens are available in three coordinating trim styles for easy customization. Dual convection: Two dedicated heating elements distribute heat evenly throughout the oven, for faster and better-tasting results — especially when using multiple racks at once. 10 one-touch cooking modes: Each mode uses a distinct combination of heat source and airflow, providing the right cooking environment for every dish and ensuring delicious results. Cobalt blue porcelain interiors: Wolf's signature aesthetics enhance the ovens' interior, creating a bold cooking backdrop. Temperature probe: The temperature probe alerts you when your dish has reached the desired temperature, eliminating guesswork when preparing roasts and other meats. Smooth door opening and closing: Say goodbye to the sound of oven-door slams. Doors on built-in E series ovens open and close quietly and effortlessly, thanks to a balanced door hinge system. Home automation compatible: Select built-in E series oven features can be controlled via an existing home automation system for enhanced convenience. Convenient features: Ease-of-use is enhanced with self-clean, delayed start, timed cook and Sabbath mode settings. Adjustable oven racks: Each built-in E series oven comes standard with three adjustable racks: one standard rack, one full-extension easy-glide rack and one full-extension door-glide rack — placing heavier dishes safely within reach. Obstacle-free cooking environment: A hidden bake element allows for obstacle-free cleaning of the oven's floor, and a recessed broil element provides more room for large dishes. Design flexibility: Built-in E series ovens can be installed flush with surrounding cabinetry to complement an overall integrated kitchen design. Enhanced interior views: Large, double-pane glass door windows and bright, dual halogen lights give you a clear view of your dish without having to open the door and disturb the cooking environment. Technical Features: Dimensions: 29 7/8"W x 27 7/8"H x 23 3/4"D Star-K Kosher certified as Sabbath and holiday-compliant

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in London