Request Free Quote This raised hot tub measures 7'0" x 9'0", and features an automatic pool safety cover. Colored LED lighting sets the evening mood. The hot tub finish is Ceramaquartz, and the coping is Valder's Wisconsin Limestone. The deck around the hot tub and the pathway is Kodiak Granite Slab pavers. The rear yard stoop risers are clad in Chilton Rustic Royal Chateau, and the treads are Kodiak sandblasted Granite. The spa equipment is cleverly hidden utilizing a 48" Cedar wood fence. Photos by Larry Huene

We recently had a residential client reach out to us with an idea of a custom railing utilizing a flat stock metal. After some design ideas we decided to utilize cold rolled steel, which has a very similar look of flat stock – only concern is that it has very similar pricing to stainless steel. We came out to the customer and took all the measurements and the following week we were ready to install the custom railing we had designed and fabricated for them. (312) 912-7405

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/

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by Philip Liang Photography.

Back wall reclaimed wood planks, white washed to give a beachy feel. Cozy bench seat with shoe storage and bins small kids can reach. Sean Alzetta Photography

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Request Free Quote This raised hot tub measures 7'0" x 9'0", and features an automatic pool safety cover. Colored LED lighting sets the evening mood. The hot tub finish is Ceramaquartz, and the coping is Valder's Wisconsin Limestone. The deck around the hot tub and the pathway is Kodiak Granite Slab pavers. The rear yard stoop risers are clad in Chilton Rustic Royal Chateau, and the treads are Kodiak sandblasted Granite. The spa equipment is cleverly hidden utilizing a 48" Cedar wood fence. Photos by Larry Huene

We recently had a residential client reach out to us with an idea of a custom railing utilizing a flat stock metal. After some design ideas we decided to utilize cold rolled steel, which has a very similar look of flat stock – only concern is that it has very similar pricing to stainless steel. We came out to the customer and took all the measurements and the following week we were ready to install the custom railing we had designed and fabricated for them. (312) 912-7405

Request Free Quote This raised hot tub measures 7'0" x 9'0", and features an automatic pool safety cover. Colored LED lighting sets the evening mood. The hot tub finish is Ceramaquartz, and the coping is Valder's Wisconsin Limestone. The deck around the hot tub and the pathway is Kodiak Granite Slab pavers. The rear yard stoop risers are clad in Chilton Rustic Royal Chateau, and the treads are Kodiak sandblasted Granite. The spa equipment is cleverly hidden utilizing a 48" Cedar wood fence. Photos by Larry Huene

The Dione collection utilizes sleek lines with laser cut oval accents to achieve a perfect balance. The polished nickel finish contributes to this collections refined beauty. Measurements and Information: - 6 Light - 60-watt candelabra bulb per light - Width 25" - Height 31" - Polished Nickel Finish

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

Request Free Quote This swimming pool on Lake Delavan in Wisconsin measures 16'0" x 36'0", and the separate hot tub measures 6'0" x 9'0". Both pool and hot tub are equipped with separate automatic pool covers and custom stone lid systems. The coping on both is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool stays pristine utilizing an in-floor cleaning system. The pool deck is Greyflek Lannon stone. The fire pit possesses River Walk stone. The pool and hot tub finishes are Ceramaquartz. Other landscape features include Eden cut stone steps, Boulder walls and various placed Boulders. Photos by Larry Huene

The Dione collection utilizes sleek lines with laser cut oval accents to achieve a perfect balance. The polished nickel finish contributes to this collections refined beauty. Measurements and Information: - 3 Light - 100-watt medium base bulb per light - Width 20" - Height 10" -1-6" and 2-12" extension rods with swivel included - Polished Nickel Finish

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/

This amazing home features a backyard patio and pool area with a spectacular custom pool with many features including island which feature sitting areas and fire pit a spa as well as incredible slide which goes into the swimming pool. The pool measures roughly 2300 square feet, and has a deep end of 10'0". The spa is raised and has 12 therapy heads. There is LED colored lighting throughout the project. There is a 300 square foot zero depth beach entry into the pool with agitator jets to keep the water moving. There is also a sunshelf within the pool. The lazy river wraps around the sunken island, and the current in the lazy river is propelled by a commercial waterpark quality pumping system. The sunken island has lighting, a fire pit, and a bridge connecting it to the decking area. There is an infinity edge on one edge of the pool. The pool also has an in-floor cleaning system to keep it clean and sanitary. The swimming pool also has the ability to change colors at night utilizing the amazing LED lighting system. The pool and spa exposed aggregate finish is French Gray color. The slide that cascades down the grotto is custom built. The waterfall grotto also provide a thrilling jump off point into the deepest part of the pool. This amazing backyard was designed and built for a home in Bull Valley Illinois.

Request Free Quote This raised hot tub measures 7'0" x 9'0", and features an automatic pool safety cover. Colored LED lighting sets the evening mood. The hot tub finish is Ceramaquartz, and the coping is Valder's Wisconsin Limestone. The deck around the hot tub and the pathway is Kodiak Granite Slab pavers. The rear yard stoop risers are clad in Chilton Rustic Royal Chateau, and the treads are Kodiak sandblasted Granite. The spa equipment is cleverly hidden utilizing a 48" Cedar wood fence. Photos by Larry Huene