Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

With this 10,000 sq. ft. private residence, located in Virginia's stunning coastline, GRADE's objective was to tailor spaces to suit the client family's daily activities and contemporary lifestyle. Completed in 2009, the house's broad elevation and beautiful natural surroundings complement its bright, classic exterior. Indoors, spaces are equally airy, with the house's cross-axial layout giving way to distinct spaces that are also visually accessible to each other - allowing the family to engage in separate activities while simultaneously providing a sense of connectivity and togetherness. The interiors mark a departure in style due to formal elements presented by the architectural layout, classic molding and regal exposed framework.

Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Lincoln, MA, USA A traditional Cape Home serves as the backdrop for the addition of a new two story garage. The design and scale remain respectful to the proportions and simplicity of the main house. In addition to a new two car garage, the project includes first level mud and laundry rooms, a family recreation room on the second level, and an open stair providing access from the existing kitchen. The interiors are finished in a tongue and groove cedar for durability and its warm appearance.

construction - Great Lakes builders photography - Christopher barrett-Hedrich blessing; Bruce Van Inwegen

A fresh take on a time-tested favorite can be risky, but the Carlton Shores design is an example of a risk worth taking. This sprawling cottage harkens back to the Arts & Crafts revival, while still managing to exude contemporary appeal. The home sits on the property like a great hunting lodge with its use of exposed wood trim and brackets. A striking array of windows gives the exterior an inviting look, as if to defy the elements and welcome nature right in. Simplicity rules the interior of the home, leaving the dramatic decorating to the outside views. A creative use of natural materials, such as wood and marble, compliment the flora-and-fauna focus of the home’s aesthetic. Every wall is dominated by glass. Windows of every shape and size allow residents to take in their surroundings, while creating a spacious, open atmosphere. The curving wooden staircase with its high ceilings gives the impression you are climbing into the trees. A soaring two-story vaulted ceiling covers the indoor pool area, which includes a kitchenette and sitting room. Glass doors open out to a vanishing pool and sundeck. All of this has been designed with the stunning lake vistas in mind. A beautiful deck and boardwalk lead from the house down to the shore, giving homeowners beach access.

Catherine Tighe

Entry hallway to mid-century-modern renovation with wood ceilings, wood baseboards and trim, hardwood floors, built-in bookcase, floor to ceiling window and sliding screen doors in Berkeley hills, California

Photo: Ben Benschneider

Who says green and sustainable design has to look like it? Designed to emulate the owner’s favorite country club, this fine estate home blends in with the natural surroundings of it’s hillside perch, and is so intoxicatingly beautiful, one hardly notices its numerous energy saving and green features. Durable, natural and handsome materials such as stained cedar trim, natural stone veneer, and integral color plaster are combined with strong horizontal roof lines that emphasize the expansive nature of the site and capture the “bigness” of the view. Large expanses of glass punctuated with a natural rhythm of exposed beams and stone columns that frame the spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Los Gatos Hills. A shady outdoor loggia and cozy outdoor fire pit create the perfect environment for relaxed Saturday afternoon barbecues and glitzy evening dinner parties alike. A glass “wall of wine” creates an elegant backdrop for the dining room table, the warm stained wood interior details make the home both comfortable and dramatic. The project’s energy saving features include: - a 5 kW roof mounted grid-tied PV solar array pays for most of the electrical needs, and sends power to the grid in summer 6 year payback! - all native and drought-tolerant landscaping reduce irrigation needs - passive solar design that reduces heat gain in summer and allows for passive heating in winter - passive flow through ventilation provides natural night cooling, taking advantage of cooling summer breezes - natural day-lighting decreases need for interior lighting - fly ash concrete for all foundations - dual glazed low e high performance windows and doors Design Team: Noel Cross+Architects - Architect Christopher Yates Landscape Architecture Joanie Wick – Interior Design Vita Pehar - Lighting Design Conrado Co. – General Contractor Marion Brenner – Photography

Contemporary Master Bedroom

Looking from open dining room into living room of new residence on Vashon Island. Living room features concrete wood burning fireplace. Photo credit - Patrick Barta Photography

Design by Melissa Schmitt. Studio bookshelves created from salvaged timbers and large threaded rod. Wood was left raw after wire wheeling to clean it up. Photos by: Adrian Gregorutti