The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

This unusual interior design is presented from an unusual angle, which will definitely impress your clients. To make your design stand out, visit Archicgi.com and discuss the details of the 3D visualization, created specifically to match your unique idea.

Traditional but unusually shaped kitchen with a white painted cabinets, seapearl quartzite countertops, tradewinds tint mosaic backsplash, paneled appliances, dark wood island with hidden outlets. Featuring a flat panel TV in the backsplash for your viewing pleasure while cooking for your family. This great kitchen is adjacent to an amazing outdoor living space with multiple living spaces and an outdoor pool. Traditional but unusually shaped kitchen with a white painted cabinets, seapearl quartzite countertops, tradewinds tint mosaic backsplash, paneled appliances, dark wood island with hidden outlets. Featuring a flat panel TV in the backsplash for your viewing pleasure while cooking for your family. This great kitchen is adjacent to an amazing outdoor living space with multiple living spaces and an outdoor pool. Photos by Jon Upson

Inspiration for a timeless freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room remodel with blue walls

Great room - contemporary medium tone wood floor great room idea in Boston with beige walls

Doug Cawker Photography

This bedroom design combines many unusual elements, vividly reflected in 3D rendering. Our 3D design studio provides rendering services to designers with unique vision – find out more at archicgi.com.

Our clients had one unusual priority for this kitchen remodel. They wanted a literal “catwalk” spanning the top of the entire kitchen that their 3 cats could enjoy. This dictated that the kitchen cabinets could not be more than 30” tall to make the catwalk functional. We added decorative upper shelving between cabinets to create a continuous walk way for the cats. In addition, to better utilize space and open up a major pinch point between multiple doors we integrated angled upper and lower end cabinets. It has been noted by everyone using this new kitchen space that the thoughtful cabinet design makes the entire kitchen space feels much larger. Continuing the flow of the existing flooring in the adjoining room and to provide warmth and solidity, red oak hardwood flooring was installed in the kitchen. To coordinate with the Cabernet colored shaker cabinets we chose an unusual “Gialllo Ornamental” granite pattern and the effect was stunning. To complete the look we installed a buff subway tile backsplash with a gorgeous crackled glass accent. Because our client wash and prepare a lot of veggies, an extra deep stainless steel 60/40 double sink and faucet with pull-down sprayer were great additions.

Costa Picada
Inspiration for a scandinavian light wood floor dining room remodel in New York with white walls

Coronado, CA The Alameda Residence is situated on a relatively large, yet unusually shaped lot for the beachside community of Coronado, California. The orientation of the “L” shaped main home and linear shaped guest house and covered patio create a large, open courtyard central to the plan. The majority of the spaces in the home are designed to engage the courtyard, lending a sense of openness and light to the home. The aesthetics take inspiration from the simple, clean lines of a traditional “A-frame” barn, intermixed with sleek, minimal detailing that gives the home a contemporary flair. The interior and exterior materials and colors reflect the bright, vibrant hues and textures of the seaside locale.

Our clients had one unusual priority for this kitchen remodel. They wanted a literal “catwalk” spanning the top of the entire kitchen that their 3 cats could enjoy. This dictated that the kitchen cabinets could not be more than 30” tall to make the catwalk functional. We added decorative upper shelving between cabinets to create a continuous walk way for the cats. In addition, to better utilize space and open up a major pinch point between multiple doors we integrated angled upper and lower end cabinets. It has been noted by everyone using this new kitchen space that the thoughtful cabinet design makes the entire kitchen space feels much larger. Continuing the flow of the existing flooring in the adjoining room and to provide warmth and solidity, red oak hardwood flooring was installed in the kitchen. To coordinate with the Cabernet colored shaker cabinets we chose an unusual “Gialllo Ornamental” granite pattern and the effect was stunning. To complete the look we installed a buff subway tile backsplash with a gorgeous crackled glass accent. Because our client wash and prepare a lot of veggies, an extra deep stainless steel 60/40 double sink and faucet with pull-down sprayer were great additions.

Example of a transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Houston with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Coronado, CA The Alameda Residence is situated on a relatively large, yet unusually shaped lot for the beachside community of Coronado, California. The orientation of the “L” shaped main home and linear shaped guest house and covered patio create a large, open courtyard central to the plan. The majority of the spaces in the home are designed to engage the courtyard, lending a sense of openness and light to the home. The aesthetics take inspiration from the simple, clean lines of a traditional “A-frame” barn, intermixed with sleek, minimal detailing that gives the home a contemporary flair. The interior and exterior materials and colors reflect the bright, vibrant hues and textures of the seaside locale.