This Gold-LEED home, selected for Domus Best Houses award and nominated for Frame House of the Year Award, it is called Cocoon because its round walls form a Cocoon shape towards northern and western neighbors. This rounded enclosed half of the house provides shelter and privacy. The other glass side of the house, facing south, takes in ocean breezes and open views. The cedar shingle cladding blends in with the historic neighborhood and benefits from local craft traditions. By tuning in to given site conditions, and with the help of environmental technologies such as photovoltaic panels and reflecting rainwater cistern, architectural design serves both the environment and wellbeing.

Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to extend into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy. Essential client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, establishment of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

3D Renderings transform a 2D plan into a more realistic vision of a landscape architect's overall design concept. Here this Bird Key canal front project provides a lush, tropical design, offering the client a personal resort-style experience. Colorful and striking plantings line the front for a grand wall/gated entrance. The circular drive combines the use of contrasting pavers and border materials. A unique "turf block" area to the right of the drive was designed for the client's car care. Throughout the site, densely tropical palms and flowering trees are used with meandering walks toward the back of the home. A simple and open pool design, firepit and lounge area provide guests with an unobstructed view of the canal.

Slipped Shed Studio South Dartmouth Builder: Scoop Jones design team: Tim Hess, Design Principal Nathan Sawyer, Justin Mellow all for DSA Architects photographs: Tim Hess This simple painting studio includes living quarters for the artist and frequent weekend guests. A familiar vocabulary of traditional forms and materials slants gently toward the sun and views up the Slocum River. The cantilevered roof and upper story shelter the glass from high summer sun. The concrete floor absorbs energy from low winter sun during the daytime to release it at night. Walls of exposed studs inside are wrapped and sealed with a continuous plane of insulation applied outside the structural sheathing. This project was recognized in 2015 with an award from our AIA chapter.

A flagstone patio and stone transition designed to draw you naturally from the open living area toward the water and planted landscape beyond. Irregular stone creates a relaxed, hand-built rhythm underfoot, while larger boulders and softer planting keep the space grounded and connected to the garden. A custom mahogany privacy screen adds warmth, contrast, and a sense of enclosure, making the area feel more intimate and protected without cutting it off from the landscape.

Situated on the shore of newfound lake in central new hampshire, this outdoor retreat looks west over the spring fed waters toward the mountains beyond. Our design intent was to provide the homeowners with a viewing perspective that captured the feel of lakefront living. The fire pit terrace, situated on a plane aligned with the home’s main floor, uses native granite from a nearby quarry to create a refined campfire retreat. This carefully calculated elevation makes the upper plateau appear to jut out into the lake. A quick walk down a grass path with granite lawn treads brings us to a private beach for lounging and water access. Transitioning from refined to rustic successfully makes the landscape feel cohesive and inviting.

We are so excited about this stylish Houston patio addition! It's one of our most recent outdoor living space design projects - and one of our new favorites! We particularly love the rustic corner fireplace, the beautiful, vaulted pine ceiling and the Restoration Hardware furniture and accessories. "Even though this space has an outdoor kitchen - often the highlight of our projects - the focus here is beautiful, comfortable outdoor living," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "And I have to say, I think this is one of the most gorgeous spaces we've created for doing that - in style." "This project was special from the start, as we were creating this space for a friend of Wayne’s who had been a long time mentor to his boys growing up," adds Lisha Maxey, owner of LGH Designs in Houston (she coordinated furniture and finishes for the project). "This client was the principal of their high school and knew all of them very well and Wayne, too. This made it very personal, indeed, and we wanted everything to be perfect!" The 23- by 16-foot addition, located at the back of the house in Cypress, looks out onto a manmade lake in the homeowners' subdivision. The focal point? A 9-foot-8-inch-high-by-7-foot-wide corner fireplace in Earth Grey rustic ledgestone from Colorstone in Houston. The fireplace features a custom wooden mantel, stone bench seating and a 52-inch Sunbrite outdoor TV. Another highlight is the flooring - silver travertine tile laid out in a Versailles pattern. "We chose silver travertine in a 'Tumbled' color palette with variations of cream and brown," says Lisha. "So we had those two colors, plus grey, to pull from." The 7-foot-long, stucco outdoor kitchen island's countertops are also noteworthy - Absolute Black granite in a leathered finish offering a modern look and a dark grey hue that works perfectly with the color palette. The kitchen island also houses an RCS 30-inch grill and fridge. The seating area includes a sectional couch, coffee table, two swivel chairs and two ottomans - all from Restoration Hardware. "We used Restoration Hardware's Biscayne sectional, swivel chairs and ottomans in gray, with textured linen weave in Sand and cushions and peacock accent pillows in gray," says Lisha. The coffee table is made of solid teak with a concrete top - as is the matching side table. "We added a console table, also in teak, behind the sofa. And for accents, we added three Amalfi lanterns from Restoration Hardware in weathered zinc." A Sunbrella® Heathered area rug (in Gray) was added to anchor the space and visually tie it together. "The space as a whole leans towards a transitional style, in that it has many traditional cozy comforts and colors, but the furniture gives it a more contemporary look," says Lisha. "The idea from the beginning was to marry these two styles, as our clients wanted a look that would not age and be in vogue for years to come." On the exterior, you can see how we worked to make the addition blend with the existing home - matching the shingles and stucco and continuing the landscaping. 3D graphic renderings and a virtual video tour allowed the clients to know exactly what the space would look like beforehand. "It takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process," says Outdoor Homescapes' graphic designer, Kristy Buell Franks. "Floor plans and elevation drawings are good for giving an idea of the overall scope of the project, but it's the 3D renderings that really show what the space is going to look like." The 3D graphics and video tours also help immensely when choosing finishing materials and furniture, she says: "The clients' choices can be put into the design to allow the clients to see how the materials will work with the existing materials on the house and how the furniture will look in the space." What do you like about this space? Post a comment and let us know!

The brief was simple: create an elevated ‘surf shack’ for a laid back family of surfers on the northeast coast. Inspired heavily by the deep blues and warm textures of the coastline, this home maintained the charm of the surrounding architecture but took a step towards modernity. We kept things primarily light and bright, but were intentional to include materials that will patina and grow more beautiful with time such as unlacquered brass finishes, worn wood, hand-shaped kiln-fired zellige tile, concretes, linens, mudcloths, and various vintage textiles. The result is a home that feels inviting and warm; a space where the homeowners and their guests alike can feel at ease.

3D Renderings transform a 2D plan into a more realistic vision of a landscape architect's overall design concept. Here this Bird Key canal front project provides a lush, tropical design, offering the client a personal resort-style experience. Colorful and striking plantings line the front for a grand wall/gated entrance. The circular drive combines the use of contrasting pavers and border materials. A unique "turf block" area to the right of the drive was designed for the client's car care. Throughout the site, densely tropical palms and flowering trees are used with meandering walks toward the back of the home. A simple and open pool design, firepit and lounge area provide guests with an unobstructed view of the canal.

The entry sequence of this custom home by James McNeal Architecture & Design (JMAD) is defined by a striking limestone gable portal that creates a sense of arrival and architectural identity. Layered stone walls, integrated planting, and tiered concrete steps guide visitors toward a recessed glass entry, enhancing both privacy and visual depth. The combination of natural stone masonry, modern lighting, and clean rooflines reflects a refined approach to modern European home design, where materiality and proportion work together to create a warm, welcoming exterior. Save this for front entry and curb appeal inspiration.

Christope Chambre from France adopted Sri Lanka as her second home and found a 165 perch land with dense foliage opening out to ‘Paddy Fields and Tea Plantation’ to build his tropical villa. Set on a site sloping towards the Tea Cultivation and Paddy Field at its front, resulting in a majority of the site being part of the Tea Cultivation, this building follows a simple plan with a manipulation of cubic forms, rustic materials and the topography of the verdant green landscape. The building is designed to embrace the Natural Slope of the land rather than contend against it, by maintaining the existing slope and integrating the design to fit on the natural slope by means of retaining walls, ensuring minimal soil excavation and disturbance. Rather than having the building on stilts, the building rests on ground in the buildable area left, grounded and cascading with the natural slope of the site.

This Gold-LEED home, selected for Domus Best Houses award and nominated for Frame House of the Year Award, it is called Cocoon because its round walls form a Cocoon shape towards northern and western neighbors. This rounded enclosed half of the house provides shelter and privacy. The other glass side of the house, facing south, takes in ocean breezes and open views. The cedar shingle cladding blends in with the historic neighborhood and benefits from local craft traditions. By tuning in to given site conditions, and with the help of environmental technologies such as photovoltaic panels and reflecting rainwater cistern, architectural design serves both the environment and wellbeing.

Kitchen remodel featuring a warm modern contemporary design with a clean, functional layout and elevated finishes. A large waterfall island serves as the focal point, combining prep space with casual seating - reflecting the growing trend of multi-functional kitchen hubs. The space blends natural wood cabinetry with matte dark cabinets, creating a sophisticated two-tone contrast that feels both modern and inviting. Paired with quartz countertops and backsplash, the design highlights the current shift toward natural materials and subtle veining for a timeless, high-end look.

This Gold-LEED home, selected for Domus Best Houses award and nominated for Frame House of the Year Award, it is called Cocoon because its round walls form a Cocoon shape towards northern and western neighbors. This rounded enclosed half of the house provides shelter and privacy. The other glass side of the house, facing south, takes in ocean breezes and open views. The cedar shingle cladding blends in with the historic neighborhood and benefits from local craft traditions. By tuning in to given site conditions, and with the help of environmental technologies such as photovoltaic panels and reflecting rainwater cistern, architectural design serves both the environment and wellbeing.

This kitchen showcases a warm modern contemporary design with a clean, functional layout and elevated finishes. A large waterfall island serves as the focal point, combining prep space with casual seating - reflecting the growing trend of multi-functional kitchen hubs. The space blends natural wood cabinetry with matte dark cabinets, creating a sophisticated two-tone contrast that feels both modern and inviting. Paired with quartz countertops and backsplash, the design highlights the current shift toward natural materials and subtle veining for a timeless, high-end look.

This Gold-LEED home, selected for Domus Best Houses award and nominated for Frame House of the Year Award, it is called Cocoon because its round walls form a Cocoon shape towards northern and western neighbors. This rounded enclosed half of the house provides shelter and privacy. The other glass side of the house, facing south, takes in ocean breezes and open views. The cedar shingle cladding blends in with the historic neighborhood and benefits from local craft traditions. By tuning in to given site conditions, and with the help of environmental technologies such as photovoltaic panels and reflecting rainwater cistern, architectural design serves both the environment and wellbeing.

The barn’s central aisle is shaped as a dramatic timber hall, with massive posts, beams, diagonal braces, and a steeply vaulted wood ceiling directing the eye toward an open doorway and the green paddock beyond. A glazed cupola introduces daylight from above, while a dark branching chandelier creates a sculptural focal point within the warm cedar-colored volume. Black metal stall fronts and gates provide crisp contrast to the honey-toned wood, and the herringbone brick floor brings texture, durability, and a refined sense of pattern to the working space. Natural light travels through the cupola, gable window, and open doors, producing an atmosphere that is luminous yet intimate. The design recalls traditional timber-frame barns, interpreted through Adirondack craftsmanship and subtle Gothic drama. The soaring structure and tactile materials feel protective, peaceful, and inspiring.

3D Renderings transform a 2D plan into a more realistic vision of a landscape architect's overall design concept. Here this Bird Key canal front project provides a lush, tropical design, offering the client a personal resort-style experience. Colorful and striking plantings line the front for a grand wall/gated entrance. The circular drive combines the use of contrasting pavers and border materials. A unique "turf block" area to the right of the drive was designed for the client's car care. Throughout the site, densely tropical palms and flowering trees are used with meandering walks toward the back of the home. A simple and open pool design, firepit and lounge area provide guests with an unobstructed view of the canal.