This rendering showcases a complex, multi-level deck designed to replace an existing structure at the rear of a two-story home. Situated on a sloped lot, the deck offers an elevated view of the surrounding landscape, including a small creek running along the rear property line. Three distinct levels create a tiered effect that adds visual interest and expands the usable space. The deck wraps around a portion of the house and extends outwards, with various angles and changes in elevation. This dynamic design maximizes the outdoor living area. The rendering suggests a dark-colored composite deck, adding a sense of warmth and sophistication. Railings encircle the perimeter of the deck and along the stairs, ensuring safety around the pool while maintaining an open feel. Stairs connect the different deck levels, facilitating easy movement between the tiers. The overall impression is of a spacious and well-designed outdoor living space that takes full advantage of the sloped terrain. The multi-level design, combined with the use of dark composite material and the integration with the natural surroundings, creates a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

Riad Tile
Bathroom - contemporary cement tile floor and pink floor bathroom idea in Santa Barbara

Designed with family in mind. We were invited to be part of this beautiful estate at ground breaking. Being involved at the beginning allowed us to help guide our client build a space that not only looks great, but will last a lifetime. From sub surface installation to cosmetic features, selecting the right materials without sacrificing quality. The curb appeal for our homeowner is great day & crazy good at night! Plenty of parking on this circular entrance for family & friends. A center raised planter focal piece sets the style, Rustic Elegance at the Ranch! The main entrance flooring set with tumbled travertine scabos & brick accent welcomes guest comfortably. Xericscape keeps the theme front to back! Large boulders dot the terrain. Outdoor lighting accents the home and throughout the landscaping. Come through the home and enter outdoor living at its finest. Across the grassy yard plains entertaining destinations spaces invite the family out to play! A childres playset & sandbox for the kids and a south African custom fire pit for everyone to gather around to tell tells & stories! Back at the covered patio, an outdoor custom kitchen, churrasco grill, bar and fireplace make hanging outdoors fun! Of course the view of the mountains encapsulates this grand space. Memories will be created here!

MODERN HEIRLOOM A masterful union of Modern Tudor Revival and Spanish Mediterranean design. Perched high on a dramatic, sloped lot rich with exposed ledge, the home is artfully embedded into its rugged terrain. Natural stone in both structure and spirit is celebrated as a defining feature, woven into the architecture and landscape. Inside, livability is paramount. The plan unfolds as a choreography of light, space, and form, with defined rooms offering comfort while connecting seamlessly to each other and to nature through thoughtfully framed openings. This residence is a perfect blend of historic massing and details with modern finishes; timeless yet fresh. With its thoughtful integration of site, form, and detail, it stands as an enduring contribution to its storied neighborhood as a home full of both memory and possibility.

This Sammamish, WA project transformed the existing outdoor living space with a new elevated deck designed to align seamlessly with the home's interior floor height and a newly installed exterior door. The deck features TimberTech Terrain decking in Silver Maple with matching fascia and borders, complemented by white surface-mounted glass railing with an Azek Coastline top cap. Custom flashing was incorporated to integrate the deck with the existing patio cover and gutter system. The space was further enhanced with new electrical components, including exterior lighting, provisions for two customer-supplied Bromic heaters, outlets for future motorized screens, and a customer-supplied ceiling fan. Low-voltage wiring was also incorporated for future railing post lighting. A 33-square-foot concrete slab extension was added to match the deck footprint, while the existing patio cover received coordinated beam and post wraps and a new white Undercover system with integrated gutter and drainage. The finished project creates a cohesive, functional outdoor living area that blends seamlessly with the home's existing architecture while providing a durable and comfortable space for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.

This Sammamish, WA project transformed the existing outdoor living space with a new elevated deck designed to align seamlessly with the home's interior floor height and a newly installed exterior door. The deck features TimberTech Terrain decking in Silver Maple with matching fascia and borders, complemented by white surface-mounted glass railing with an Azek Coastline top cap. Custom flashing was incorporated to integrate the deck with the existing patio cover and gutter system. The space was further enhanced with new electrical components, including exterior lighting, provisions for two customer-supplied Bromic heaters, outlets for future motorized screens, and a customer-supplied ceiling fan. Low-voltage wiring was also incorporated for future railing post lighting. A 33-square-foot concrete slab extension was added to match the deck footprint, while the existing patio cover received coordinated beam and post wraps and a new white Undercover system with integrated gutter and drainage. The finished project creates a cohesive, functional outdoor living area that blends seamlessly with the home's existing architecture while providing a durable and comfortable space for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.

This modern-style executive home takes full advantage of the views and rocky terrain. The homeowners are retirees whose goal was to build a home that they could age in place in. Taking their needs into consideration, we created a large open concept design that takes advantage of the natural light and scenery while enabling the owners full accessibility throughout. All the primary rooms are located on the main floor with guest and additional spaces on lower floors. All door widths were increased and a roll thru shower was installed to allow for wheelchair accessibility if required in the future. The entire house is controlled by a state of the art iPad home automation system controlling media, mechanical systems, lighting & security. "Light & Bright" are the items our client wanted us to focus on, with "Light" we wanted to capture as much as natural light from the large windows as possible. As for "Bright" we kept most of the finishes grey and white and clean. Pops of colour and warm hardwood flooring tie the entire space together.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

This elevated view reveals how the new addition is carefully integrated into both the existing residence and its dramatic wooded setting. The composition pairs the traditional, dark-clad main house with a distinctly contemporary gabled pavilion, creating a dialogue between familiar residential forms and modern architectural expression. A crisp standing-seam metal roof gives the addition a strong, simple silhouette, while the expansive glazed gable dissolves the boundary between interior and landscape and allows the pavilion to glow warmly against the darker exterior. Stone walls anchor the new volume into the sloping terrain, introducing natural texture and reinforcing its connection to the site. The restrained palette of charcoal black, weathered stone, glass, and metal allows the architecture to recede into the landscape rather than compete with it, particularly against the rich autumn foliage. Framed by mature trees and distant mountain views, the house feels secluded and deeply connected to its surroundings. The design draws from rural and barn-like vernacular architecture but reinterprets those traditions through contemporary detailing, transparency, and a refined material palette—creating an addition that feels both rooted in its place and intentionally of its time.

Coledale Project by CKS Projects — Luxury Coastal Living with Elevated Design Perched along the stunning Coledale coastline, this architectural masterpiece by CKS Projects embodies the essence of modern coastal living. Designed and built with precision, the Coledale Project showcases the company’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and the seamless integration of home and landscape. This luxury residence embraces its dramatic seaside location, with expansive glazing that captures sweeping Pacific Ocean views and natural light from every angle. Premium materials—spotted gum cladding, polished concrete, and stone features—combine to create a refined yet relaxed coastal aesthetic perfectly suited to the Illawarra lifestyle. Behind every detail is the hallmark of CKS Projects’ design-and-build expertise, from the engineering required to stabilise the sloping terrain to the bespoke joinery and energy-efficient construction that meets 7-Star sustainability standards. The Coledale Project reflects what CKS Projects does best—transforming complex coastal sites into elegant, enduring homes that harmonise with their natural surroundings.

This dramatic aerial view highlights a contemporary hillside home designed for sustainability, function, and year-round beauty. Anchored by clean architectural lines and a low-slope roof equipped with solar panels, the home blends seamlessly into its forested backdrop. A broad concrete driveway provides a crisp, functional entrance, framed by terraced retaining walls that stabilize the steep terrain while enhancing the visual rhythm of the landscape. Native trees and grasses are strategically planted among boulders and gravel mulch for a xeric, fire-wise approach that reduces maintenance and maximizes ecological harmony. The curved planting beds and layered retaining system not only manage slope but also create visual interest from every angle, showcasing a smart integration of form and function for mountain living.

Projet ayant remporté le 2e prix dans la catégorie Côté Cour au 38e Gala de l'Association des paysagistes professionnels (2017). Mandat: Concevoir et réaliser l’aménagement moderne de la cour et l'intégration de la piscine sur un terrain à forts dénivelés tout en permettant aux propriétaires de profiter pleinement de la vue sur le fleuve en tout temps. Concepteur: Pierre Luc Richard Chef d'équipe: Yannick Pépin Un projet mené rondement malgré les défis majeurs posés par la situation sur un boulevard passant et une pente forte nécessitant des enrochements de soutènement de près de 15 pi de hauteur.

Nestled at the top of a steeply sloped wooded site, this backyard retreat offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy west Austin neighborhood. This efficiently planned accessory dwelling unit comprises a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. The approach to the retreat is via a winding path up the woodland hill that arrives at a generous wrap-around porch. The path and porch are connected by a small bridge that negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment. Tall interior spaces give a sense of airiness to each room while the kitchen window seat provides views into the surrounding trees. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting, evoking a cottage-like domesticity that enhances the sense of solitude and rejuvenation from the pressures and stress of the everyday world.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

Nestled at the top of a steeply sloped wooded site, this backyard retreat offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy west Austin neighborhood. This efficiently planned accessory dwelling unit comprises a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. The approach to the retreat is via a winding path up the woodland hill that arrives at a generous wrap-around porch. The path and porch are connected by a small bridge that negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment. Tall interior spaces give a sense of airiness to each room while the kitchen window seat provides views into the surrounding trees. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting, evoking a cottage-like domesticity that enhances the sense of solitude and rejuvenation from the pressures and stress of the everyday world.

Nestled at the top of a steeply sloped wooded site, this backyard retreat offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy west Austin neighborhood. This efficiently planned accessory dwelling unit comprises a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. The approach to the retreat is via a winding path up the woodland hill that arrives at a generous wrap-around porch. The path and porch are connected by a small bridge that negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment. Tall interior spaces give a sense of airiness to each room while the kitchen window seat provides views into the surrounding trees. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting, evoking a cottage-like domesticity that enhances the sense of solitude and rejuvenation from the pressures and stress of the everyday world.

The Mt. Veeder residence was a wonderful challenge as we were tasked to evolve the outdoor space, initially designed for a young family to a sophisticated retreat for multiple generations. We worked closely with the client to create a landscape that balanced the 90-degree angles of the modern house with the natural terrain of the surrounding Napa Valley hills. Our design features a low-water garden with drought-resistant Mediterranean and Californian native plants that is appropriate for this environment. Custom outdoor lighting and steel accents enhance the modern aesthetic of the home, while succulents nestled between boulders add texture and interest. To solve a complicated elevation change around the pool, we designed a terraced retaining wall that maximizes usable planting space and ensures safety. Per our client’s request to expand their gardens, we designed and built an intricate maze of custom flower boxes with vegetables, fruits, trees and flowers housed in a wildlife protected fence. By handling all three – design, construction, and maintenance in-house – we are able to ensure that the residence continues to thrive as a versatile and inviting space for the entire family.

Nestled at the top of a steeply sloped wooded site, this backyard retreat offers a quiet sanctuary tucked away in a busy west Austin neighborhood. This efficiently planned accessory dwelling unit comprises a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. The approach to the retreat is via a winding path up the woodland hill that arrives at a generous wrap-around porch. The path and porch are connected by a small bridge that negotiates the difference in terrain and provides an experiential cue of transitioning to a secluded and protected environment. Tall interior spaces give a sense of airiness to each room while the kitchen window seat provides views into the surrounding trees. Interior finishes include post-oak flooring, handmade ceramic tile, stone countertops, and custom millwork wainscoting, evoking a cottage-like domesticity that enhances the sense of solitude and rejuvenation from the pressures and stress of the everyday world.