Surface Saver Sealer is a water-based Silane-Siloxane water repellent and impregnating sealer for porous concrete and masonry surfaces. Surface Saver penetrates up to 1/4 to form a chemical bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water absorption. Surface Saver will not impair the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, nor will it produce a film or coating. Surface Saver will help concrete and masonry surfaces to resist common issues such as cracking, efflorescence, spalling, staining, and other damages caused by intrusion of water. Surface Saver will also help to reduce the formation of efflorescence and the growth of mold and mildew. Uses: Unsealed concrete, broom finished concrete, trowel finished concrete, stamped colored concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, pavers, clay tile, unglazed tile, cement, brick, stone, and other masonry. Common Applications: driveway sealer, walkway and sidewalk sealer, patio and pool deck sealer, brick house and chimney sealer, clay tile roof sealer, garage floor sealer, warehouse floor sealer, basement wall and floor sealer, and other concrete and masonry applications. Surface Saver maintain the natural, unsealed look and feel of the substrate. Will never peel, flake or fade. UV resistant, non-yellowing. No surface film or coating to maintain. Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Provides excellent resistance to mold, mildew, and fungus. Can be applied to interior & exterior, vertical & horizontal, above & below grade surfaces. Surface Saver Sealer will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Breathable, low VOC. 5 gallon covers up to 750-1000 Square Feet in one coat, or up to 500 Square feet in 2 coats. Surface Saver Sealer can be purchased in 5 gallon pails shipped UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Surface Saver penetrates up to 1/4 to form a chemical bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water absorption. Surface Saver will not impair the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, nor will it produce a film or coating. Surface Saver will help concrete and masonry surfaces to resist common issues such as cracking, efflorescence, spalling, staining, and other damages caused by intrusion of water. Surface Saver will also help to reduce the formation of efflorescence and the growth of mold and mildew. Uses: Unsealed concrete, broom finished concrete, trowel finished concrete, stamped colored concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, pavers, clay tile, unglazed tile, cement, brick, stone, and other masonry. Common Applications: driveway sealer, walkway and sidewalk sealer, patio and pool deck sealer, brick house and chimney sealer, clay tile roof sealer, garage floor sealer, warehouse floor sealer, basement wall and floor sealer, and other concrete and masonry applications. Surface Saver maintain the natural, unsealed look and feel of the substrate. Will never peel, flake or fade. UV resistant, non-yellowing. No surface film or coating to maintain. Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Provides excellent resistance to mold, mildew, and fungus. Can be applied to interior & exterior, vertical & horizontal, above & below grade surfaces. Surface Saver Sealer will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Breathable, low VOC. 5 gallon covers up to 750-1000 Square Feet in one coat, or up to 500 Square feet in 2 coats. Surface Saver Sealer can be purchased in 5 gallon pails shipped UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Cogs Construction and Design, Inc. was approached by a customer who had a rotten pressure treated deck that needed to be replaced. The homeowners are very environmentally conscious and wanted to do their part to avoid any toxic runoff into the lake their property abutted. The homeowner researched various materials for their project and decided to rebuild with aluminum decking. The aluminum decking was appealing to the homeowners because it will never rot and it will collect the water runoff that can be directed into a trough system. This project had a couple of engineering hurdles; the property was on a severe slope with a failed retaining wall and the upper deck was 16 feet from the ground with very little land from the house and the water. After the structure was rebuilt, we installed the new aluminum decking and railing system. The decking interlocks into one another and creates a dry area beneath the deck when it rains. This product is a great alternative to wood or composite decking for anyone who has a 2nd story deck and needs a dry area below or would like to control water runoff from their deck. Give us a call to discuss the advantages of aluminum decking. photo credit: Cogs Construction

Surface Saver penetrates up to 1/4 to form a chemical bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water absorption. Surface Saver will not impair the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, nor will it produce a film or coating. Surface Saver will help concrete and masonry surfaces to resist common issues such as cracking, efflorescence, spalling, staining, and other damages caused by intrusion of water. Surface Saver will also help to reduce the formation of efflorescence and the growth of mold and mildew. Uses: Unsealed concrete, broom finished concrete, trowel finished concrete, stamped colored concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, pavers, clay tile, unglazed tile, cement, brick, stone, and other masonry. Common Applications: driveway sealer, walkway and sidewalk sealer, patio and pool deck sealer, brick house and chimney sealer, clay tile roof sealer, garage floor sealer, warehouse floor sealer, basement wall and floor sealer, and other concrete and masonry applications. Surface Saver maintain the natural, unsealed look and feel of the substrate. Will never peel, flake or fade. UV resistant, non-yellowing. No surface film or coating to maintain. Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Provides excellent resistance to mold, mildew, and fungus. Can be applied to interior & exterior, vertical & horizontal, above & below grade surfaces. Surface Saver Sealer will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Breathable, low VOC. 5 gallon covers up to 750-1000 Square Feet in one coat, or up to 500 Square feet in 2 coats. Surface Saver Sealer can be purchased in 5 gallon pails shipped UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Surface Saver penetrates up to 1/4 to form a chemical bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water absorption. Surface Saver will not impair the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, nor will it produce a film or coating. Surface Saver will help concrete and masonry surfaces to resist common issues such as cracking, efflorescence, spalling, staining, and other damages caused by intrusion of water. Surface Saver will also help to reduce the formation of efflorescence and the growth of mold and mildew. Uses: Unsealed concrete, broom finished concrete, trowel finished concrete, stamped colored concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, pavers, clay tile, unglazed tile, cement, brick, stone, and other masonry. Common Applications: driveway sealer, walkway and sidewalk sealer, patio and pool deck sealer, brick house and chimney sealer, clay tile roof sealer, garage floor sealer, warehouse floor sealer, basement wall and floor sealer, and other concrete and masonry applications. Surface Saver maintain the natural, unsealed look and feel of the substrate. Will never peel, flake or fade. UV resistant, non-yellowing. No surface film or coating to maintain. Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Provides excellent resistance to mold, mildew, and fungus. Can be applied to interior & exterior, vertical & horizontal, above & below grade surfaces. Surface Saver Sealer will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Breathable, low VOC. 5 gallon covers up to 750-1000 Square Feet in one coat, or up to 500 Square feet in 2 coats. Surface Saver Sealer can be purchased in 5 gallon pails shipped UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Surface Saver penetrates up to 1/4 to form a chemical bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water absorption. Surface Saver will not impair the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, nor will it produce a film or coating. Surface Saver will help concrete and masonry surfaces to resist common issues such as cracking, efflorescence, spalling, staining, and other damages caused by intrusion of water. Surface Saver will also help to reduce the formation of efflorescence and the growth of mold and mildew. Uses: Unsealed concrete, broom finished concrete, trowel finished concrete, stamped colored concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, pavers, clay tile, unglazed tile, cement, brick, stone, and other masonry. Common Applications: driveway sealer, walkway and sidewalk sealer, patio and pool deck sealer, brick house and chimney sealer, clay tile roof sealer, garage floor sealer, warehouse floor sealer, basement wall and floor sealer, and other concrete and masonry applications. Surface Saver maintain the natural, unsealed look and feel of the substrate. Will never peel, flake or fade. UV resistant, non-yellowing. No surface film or coating to maintain. Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Provides excellent resistance to mold, mildew, and fungus. Can be applied to interior & exterior, vertical & horizontal, above & below grade surfaces. Surface Saver Sealer will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Breathable, low VOC. 5 gallon covers up to 750-1000 Square Feet in one coat, or up to 500 Square feet in 2 coats. Surface Saver Sealer can be purchased in 5 gallon pails shipped UPS Ground to all 48 U.S. States except Alaska & Hawaii at: www.surfacerestoration.com/shop

Ever notice how your iron fence looks more rust than paint after another brutal Chicago winter? That is usually the moment homeowners start searching for a painting contractor who actually understands metal - not just someone who will brush a coat of black paint over active corrosion and call it done. At Windy City Painters, iron fence restoration is one of our most requested services on the North Side and Near West Side, and for good reason. These fences are old, they are beautiful, and they deserve a proper finish system. PROJECT OVERVIEW This project involved a full ornamental iron fence on a North Side greystone property. The fence was original to the building - likely installed in the 1910s or 1920s - and had gone through multiple paint cycles without any rust conversion work. By the time Windy City Painters arrived, the horizontal rails showed active pitting, the vertical spindles had surface rust under lifting paint, and two corner posts had minor joint separation. The homeowner wanted the fence restored to a sharp satin black finish that would hold through multiple Chicago winters. MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS Ospho Rust Converter - phosphoric acid formula that chemically neutralizes iron oxide and converts it to iron phosphate, a stable paintable surface. Used on all pitted and actively corroded areas before primer application. Rust-Oleum DTM Rust-Inhibitive Primer - direct-to-metal primer that bonds to both converted rust zones and bare metal, blocking moisture intrusion at the substrate level. Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Topcoat - flexible, moisture-resistant finish formulated to expand and contract with metal through temperature cycling. Applied in two finish coats in satin black. For cases with deeper rust penetration, Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter and Metal Primer is an alternative that combines conversion and priming in a single product, useful on complex ornamental profiles where two-product systems are harder to apply. THE PROCESS Step 1 - Mechanical Preparation. Windy City Painters wire-wheels all loose rust, flaking paint, and scale using angle grinders fitted with wire wheel attachments. On heavily pitted sections, needle gun descaling is used to reach rust in tight ornamental grooves. This step is non-negotiable. No coating bonds reliably to iron oxide, and skipping this step is the single most common reason iron fence paint fails within a year. Step 2 - Rust Conversion. Ospho is brushed into all pitted and bare metal areas and allowed to fully react. The surface shifts from orange to a grayish-black iron phosphate layer. This stable base accepts primer without the risk of rust migrating upward through the paint film over time. Step 3 - Primer Coat. Rust-Oleum DTM rust-inhibitive primer is applied full coverage over the entire fence surface, including areas that appeared clean but showed minor surface oxidation. DTM primer acts as a moisture barrier and mechanical adhesion layer for the finish coats. Step 4 - Finish Coats. Two coats of Sherwin-Williams DTM acrylic topcoat are applied in satin black, with adequate dry time between coats. The DTM formula remains flexible after cure, allowing the iron to expand and contract through Chicago temperature swings without the topcoat cracking or peeling at joints. CHICAGO-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES Ornamental iron on Chicago greystones, two-flats, and Victorian brownstones was almost never hot-dip galvanized. It was painted from installation and has relied on continuous paint maintenance ever since. Chicago winters add specific stress: freeze-thaw cycles force water into any paint film crack, expanding it; road salt spray elevates corrosive chloride exposure; and humidity during spring thaw keeps metal surfaces wet for extended periods. This combination accelerates rust spread beneath paint films that appear intact on the surface. WHAT TO EXPECT LONG-TERM A properly prepped and primed iron fence finished with a DTM topcoat system should hold 5-8 years in Chicago conditions before any touch-up is warranted. Annual inspection of joints, welds, and areas near grade level will catch early moisture entry before it becomes a larger rust issue. Windy City Painters recommends scheduling touch-up earlier rather than waiting for full paint failure to protect the prep investment. PRO TIPS Tip 1 - Address joint separation before painting. If fence rails have separated at welds or mechanical joints, water will enter and rust will restart from inside the connection point regardless of the exterior coating. Flag any separated joints for welding before any paint system is applied. Tip 2 - Never use latex house paint on iron fences. Standard exterior latex lacks the adhesion and flexibility for bare metal. Always use a product labeled DTM or specify a rust-inhibitive primer underneath any finish coat applied to iron. Tip 3 - Paint in late spring or early fall. Iron fences exposed to full sun in peak summer heat can reach surface temperatures that cause solvent-based coatings to blister during application. Ideal application conditions are 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity and no direct intense sun on the metal surface. Learn more about iron fence painting cost in Chicago and schedule your free estimate at windypainters.com FAQ Q: What does iron fence painting cost in Chicago? A: Windy City Painters typically prices residential iron fence painting at $8-$18 per linear foot. Variables include rust severity, spindle density, ornamental profile complexity, and whether rust conversion products like Ospho or Corroseal are required before priming. Q: Can you paint over rust without grinding it off first? A: No. Windy City Painters always performs mechanical prep before any coating. Wire wheel grinding removes loose scale and flaking paint. Rust converters handle residual oxidation chemically. Skipping this step means the new paint film will delaminate within one season. Q: How do I know if my iron fence needs a welder before painting? A: Windy City Painters inspects all joints and rail connections during the estimate. Rail separation, cracked welds, or sections that flex when pressed indicate structural issues that should be welded before any paint system is applied to avoid reopening at stress points. Q: What is the difference between Ospho and Corroseal? A: Both are rust converters. Ospho is a phosphoric acid solution applied as a separate step before priming, giving maximum control over conversion and primer selection. Corroseal combines conversion and primer in one product, which works well on complex ornamental profiles where a two-step system is harder to apply evenly. Q: How long does the paint last on an iron fence in Chicago? A: With full mechanical prep, rust conversion, DTM primer, and two DTM topcoats, Windy City Painters clients typically see 5-8 years of performance before touch-up is needed, even through Chicago freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure. Q: Do you paint iron fences that are still structurally sound but heavily rusted on the surface? A: Yes. Surface rust, even heavy pitting, does not necessarily indicate structural failure. Windy City Painters evaluates each fence individually. As long as the metal is sound under the rust, proper mechanical prep and a rust converter restore the surface to a paintable condition.

The ideal solution for those wanting a seamless shower experience with minimal intrusion. Superb engineering is built-in to this flush-mounted shower head that once installed within a false ceiling, is inconspicious, yet delivers a luxuriant water flow stream.

Bright and Airy Living Spaces Welcome in the Essence of California Living The second level houses the family’s primary living spaces with an open-concept layout that connects the living room, kitchen, and dining room. An eye-turning 30-foot-wide four-panel minimal sliding glass wall system offers dramatic views of the natural landscape and extends interiors to the outdoor living spaces. Originally meant to feature a folding system, the homeowners opted for minimal sliding glass walls for a more open experience due to their minimal profiles and large glass panels. In addition, a barefoot-friendly floor track eliminates obstruction and protects interiors from water and cold weather intrusion. "The cero® system was a game-changer in our construction efforts,” says the builder. “It gave us the flexibility to create a living space that mirrored the open and vibrant spirit of California living that otherwise would not have been possible.” The sliding system was further customized with an optional automation feature that allows the homeowners "the flexibility to enjoy the outdoors on sun-drenched days and create a cozy, sheltered haven on cooler evenings with a simple touch of a button.”

Frank Ooms
Minimalist exterior home photo in Austin

This roof was only 17 years old but already showing significant signs of failure. The original builder-grade shingles had begun to deteriorate prematurely, with visible curling, granule loss, and several active leaks. Poor ventilation and improper flashing details contributed to moisture intrusion in multiple areas of the home. The homeowner reached out to us after noticing water spots on interior ceilings and missing shingles after a recent storm.

AWARD WINNING DUPLEX DESIGN Bob-a-day Park Little Bay duplex in historical precinct This Little Bay duplex is the winner of the HIA Housing Awards 2019 for category: – Townhouse/Villa Development 2-10 dwellings ‘HIA NSW Region’ and a finalist for category: – Residential Interior Design ‘HIA NSW Region’ Judges said, “A functional design with a light and bright living area that has excellent cross flow ventilation and innovative design with sustainable features.” Congratulating SSRB Developments with Edifice Design, Architects on such an outstanding achievement, HIA Executive Director – NSW, David Bare, said “The awards recognise excellence in residential construction and these awards provide a tremendous opportunity for HIA members to showcase their projects and highlight building and design excellence.” [HIA Media Release 19 October 2019] Set in Little Bay’s old Prince Henry Hospital precinct, this dual occupancy is designed to complement its rare historic and coastal location. The two dwelling requirement and contextual fit make the building unique, shaped and functioning as follows: Design Subtly distinguished separate dwellings — while still appearing as a single residence. Contemporary but synergistic with heritage setting — contemporary detailing with a scale (height, setbacks) in keeping with the historic “Flower’s Building” and materials/colour selections (face brick, boarded cladding, stone) that complements, not competes with, its heritage, seaside setting. Streetscape and contextual fit: The Ewing Avenue frontage and northern neighbour are addressed by a darker, quieter core element, clad in metal and light coloured, boarded features that extend from the ground to its flat parapeted roof. The darker, northern side anchors the lighter and more open, glazed southern side that overlooks Bob A Day Park and sits beneath a flat planar roof. External walls are layered horizontally with boarded cladding to the first floor, flat rendered wall at the ground floor and a face brick basement. Balconies, views and privacy — generous floor to ceiling horizontal louvred windows fill rooms with sunlight and views to the park and ocean. The linear effect is further accentuated by both dwellings having projected outdoor balconies with the southern balcony having a continuum of louvres to either open or close for sunlight, stargazing or privacy. Façade finishes and an entry of stone, copper and wood — texture and colour, accentuated by a copper panelled front door, timber louvres above and a feature stone blade wall, clearly defines the entry. Slender metal awnings and sliding panels also provide further articulation to the facades as well as privacy. An entry of stone, copper and wood reflect façade finishes — texture and colour, accentuated by a copper panelled front door, timber louvres above and a feature stone blade wall, clearly define the entry. Slender metal awnings and sliding panels also provide further articulation to the façades as well as privacy. A welcoming sky lit void foyer — a large atrium with skylight window brightens the entryway and provides main circulation to the hall and stair. Linear stair and lift amenity — a streamlined timber stairway with vertically lined balustrade is a focal point of the entry hall. A lift with ceramic tiles to floor and steel finishes services the main dwelling. A handcrafted bespoke artisan sandstone wall with fireplace — is a centrepiece dividing the main living room from the eating and kitchen areas. An unusual partially sunken roof terrace — which provides an entertainment area of spectacular district and ocean views while remaining relatively private, quiet and sheltered. An exterior ‘living green wall’ — which is also viewable from the living room. A sunny, north east plunge pool — which is overlooked by two semi enclosed entertainment balconies. Large water tanks totalling 7000 litres — which services toilets, laundry and gardens. An extensive solar panel system — totalling over 10 KWs. Client brief Dual occupancy required for accommodating two separate dwellings, the primary dwelling for parents long term and the secondary dwelling for extended family. 1. Quantitative requirements Each dwelling with: 2 residential levels + roof terrace + basement carpark main external balcony off the main living area private garden setting full ducted air conditioning separation by a vertical, fire and acoustically rated, common wall. Primary dwelling (southside) — for main family: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, laundry, open planned living, kitchen and dining areas, a separate TV room, roof terrace and serviced by a lift (basement to level 1) 5,000 litre rainwater tank servicing the toilets and laundry 5.4 KW solar panel system 2 car basement car park. Secondary dwelling (northside) — for extended family: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry, open planned living, kitchen, dining, a separate TV room Plunge pool 2,000 litre rainwater tank servicing the toilets and laundry 4.8 kW solar panel system 1 car basement car park + 1 car hardstand. 2. Qualitative requirements: Generally: Maximise sun, light and outlook to all rooms. Extensive glazing and use of skylights. Rooms to be designed as contemporary spaces with seamless, clean lines. Colour selections to be light, non jarring, using colours from whites to neutrals. Use of natural materials such as timber and stone. Open planned living areas — kitchen, dining and living with a strong spatial connection to encourage family together time. Main dwelling to have a separate TV room so that living areas remain unaffected by media intrusions. Bedrooms grouped together on the ground floor to ensure district and ocean views are prioritised for the living areas. Maximise louvred glazing to southern side of primary residence to overlook Bob A Day Park. Ocean views maximised where possible, most likely achieved across to the north east. Multi-layered complex approval process From the outset, there were numerous multi-layered approval stages through which to navigate. This ensured a vigorous, disciplined design approach. Stages included: The Prince Henry Design Review Panel (PHDRP) — appointed by Landcom to monitor the historic Prince Henry development site Randwick City Council — Development Application NSW State Heritage Department — approval required given the project’s proximity to the historic “Flowers” building. Randwick Council — the Construction Certificate was particularly involved with difficulties around strict adherence to; setbacks, height and floor space ratios and alignments with the southern setback of the “Flowers” Building, a flat roof geometry and guides around the use of external colour and materials. Randwick Council jurisdiction Photographer: Aimee Crouch

ELIMINATING ECHOS IN A LUXURY POOL HOUSE Innovative & Unobtrusive Acoustic Treatments Engaged By WSDG-Brasil BELO HORIZONTE, BRASIL: How do you keep your pool house from reverberating like a gymnasium? For the owners of a luxurious villa set amidst of one of Brasil’s most breathtaking landscapes, the views and the pastoral silence were priceless. A wide expanse of windows surrounding the infinite lap pool draw attention to the spectacular mountains and gardens framing this opulent weekend residence. Intrusive echoes of laughter and music were unacceptable. The critical acoustical designs devised by WSDG Brasil for the villa’s home theater and other living spaces were inspired by the firms’ professional recording studio expertise. Inhibiting sound from invading or escaping sensitive listening areas is a WSDG specialty. The enclosed pool and spa area, however presented uniquely troubling waters. Especially challenging was the requirement that the acoustical treatments unobtrusively compliment the sumptuous custom finishes. In addition to the 46’ long, 10’ wide lap pool, the 2100 sq. ft structure includes a gym, Jacuzzi and wet bar, bounded by three walls of double height windows. A movable glass sealing system was installed to maintain interior warmth during the cool, mountain region evenings. Prognosis? Warm, but noisy. Here, professional recording studio design techniques provided solutions. Each window, including an expansive skylight grid comprised of 24 individual 7’x5’motorized Italian glass panels, was fitted with two layers of Clearsorber™ Foil special micro-perforated transparent foil with 1” of air space separating the layers. Mounting the foil layers 2” below the glass skylight insured optimal sound absorption. Developed in Germany, these innovative translucent plastic sheets absorb medium and high frequency reverberation to resolve sonic reflection issues. “We have hung panels of this material in front of glass windows in recording studios,” explains WSDG Brasil, GM Renato Cipriano. “They have proved very effective in helping us ‘tune’ rooms without obstructing views. Now they are proving equally helpful in this residential application.” The foil’s full transparency insures unimpeded views and eliminates traditional pool house reverberation. Happily, the product also serves as a UV ray filtering system. Cipriano reports that special attention was also devoted to the pool house floor which is situated over a large machine room. “A number of generators, pumps and air conditioning units live beneath the pool,” he says. “Thanks to our acoustic treatments, they hum away doing their jobs without making their presence known to the guests.” Morro do Chapeau was designed by celebrated Brasilian architect Eduarda Correa. The extensive A/V installation was designed and installed by Versao Brasileira, a leading Belo Horizonte-based high-end home theater specialist. “We have participated on a number of challenging projects with Versao Brasileira,” Cipriano concludes. “They are extremely knowledgeable and we welcome the opportunity to collaborated with them.” ### Photos: Five views of the Morro do Chapeau pool house in Belo Horizonte, Brasil. All glass windows including the expansive skylight are insulated by a special micro perforated transparent foil to eliminate audio reverberation and also serve as a UV ray filtering system. Please credit photos by Jomar Braganca

The detailed plans for this bathroom can be purchased here: https://www.changeyourbathroom.com/shop/felicitous-flora-bathroom-plans/ The original layout of this bathroom underutilized the spacious floor plan and had an entryway out into the living room as well as a poorly placed entry between the toilet and the shower into the master suite. The new floor plan offered more privacy for the water closet and cozier area for the round tub. A more spacious shower was created by shrinking the floor plan - by bringing the wall of the former living room entry into the bathroom it created a deeper shower space and the additional depth behind the wall offered deep towel storage. A living plant wall thrives and enjoys the humidity each time the shower is used. An oak wood wall gives a natural ambiance for a relaxing, nature inspired bathroom experience.

The A18 Residence is a townhouse renovation project located in the southern part of New Delhi. team3 was tasked with transforming the facade while minimising modifications to create a visually appealing and functional space that provides residents with a sense of peace and tranquillity. Blurring the Boundaries Between Indoors and Outdoors The driving force behind the project was to seamlessly infuse green elements into the building’s living spaces. This was achieved through a transparent living space that harmoniously bridges the divide between the interiors and the natural surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors allow for maximum natural light and ventilation, creating a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. These windows are double-paned to help reduce noise pollution. A defining feature of the project is its fully planted facade. A pragmatic approach was adopted to ensure the vitality of the greens. Plants are placed to be accessed via the staircase with landings to the balconies, avoiding the need to cross through the rooms for maintenance and sharing the responsibility of upkeep. Effective Zoning to Enhance Functionality The property's strategic location presented a dual-faced scenario, overlooking a small park at the rear and fronting a busy main road. To address the latter, a green strip and a service road were introduced as buffers to minimise noise intrusion. The green strip was designed to be unobtrusive, using low-maintenance materials and native plants that require minimal watering. The planted facade also adds a level of protection shielding the indoor environment from the noise and pollution of the adjoining road. Sustainable Design with Shared Amenities and Accessible Maintenance The A18 Residence is a single-family home designed for a family of four. The design process was collaborative, with the clients deeply engaged due to their keen interest in architectural aesthetics and sustainability. This collaboration led to the introduction of shared, energy-efficient amenities and resources, fostering efficiency. A terrace garden maintained with harvested rainwater also acts as a communal area for the family. The balconies have been thoughtfully designed with an external staircase for convenient access and maintenance without compromising residents' privacy. The project unfolded organically across its various levels. On the ground floor, residents enjoy greenery from both front and rear gardens, offering a dynamic connection with nature. The first floor features a continuous living space that seamlessly merges with the lush surroundings. On the third floor, a strategically positioned courtyard artfully links to the rooftop terrace garden, extending the green narrative and providing panoramic views and a tangible connection to nature. Solar panels on the roof provide electricity for common areas, while a rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater for irrigation. These features help to reduce the project's environmental impact and create a more sustainable urban lifestyle for its residents. Blending Simplicity, Functionality, and Natural Light The interiors of the A18 Residence are designed to complement the overall aesthetic of the project, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The open-plan living space is flooded with natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Spacious, well-lit bedrooms feature private balconies that offer stunning views of the surrounding greenery. The landscape is an integral part of the design, providing residents with a tranquil oasis in the city. The A18 Residence stands as an example of how innovative design and a collaborative approach can transform an existing building into a thriving urban oasis. Its focus on sustainability, functionality, and connection to nature makes it a model for sustainable living in the city.

Rebecca Schoenenberger
Photo of a rustic landscaping in San Francisco.

Innovative and truly distinctive design All the Fusion hardware is concealed. There are no visible faucets while the drain outlet and overflow is designed without any intrusive holes on the tub’s inner surface.Light shines from all around the bath perimeter - this creates a blade of light that “magically” animates the water swirl from the hidden nozzles. The concealed underwater chromotherapy system is designed to provide an unparalleled light therapy effect.