North Cove Residence Shelburne, Vermont We worked very closely with the architect to create a multi-generational home for grandparents, their daughter and 2 grandchildren providing both common and private outdoor space for both families. The 12.3 acre site sits facing north on the shore of Lake Champlain and has over 40 feet of grade change from the point of entry down to the lakeshore and contains many beautiful mature trees of hickory, maple, ash and butternut. The site offered opportunities to nestle the two houses into the slope, creating the ability for the architecture to step, providing a logical division of space for the two families to share. The landscape creates private areas for each family while also becoming the common fabric that knits the 2 households together. The natural terrain, sloping east to west, and the views to Lake Champlain became the basis for arranging volumes on the site. Working together the landscape architect and architect chose to locate the houses and outdoor spaces along an arc, emulating the shape of the adjacent bay. The eastern / uphill portion of the site contains a common entry point, pergola, auto court, garage and a one story residence for the grandparents. Given the northern climate this southwest facing alcove provided an ideal setting for pool, utilizing the west house and retaining wall to shield the lake breezes and extending the swimming season well into the fall. Approximately one quarter of the site is classified as wetland and an even larger portion of the site is subject to seasonal flooding. The site program included a swimming pool, large outdoor terrace for entertaining, year-round access to the lakefront and an auto court large enough for guest parking and to serve as a place for grandchildren to ride bikes. In order to provide year-round access to the lake and not disrupt the natural movement of water, an elevated boardwalk was constructed of galvanized steel and cedar. The boardwalk extends the geometry of the lakeside terrace walls out to the lake, creating a sculptural division between natural wetland and lawn area. Architect: Truex Cullins & Partners Architects Image Credit: Westphalen Photography

Residential Design: Peter Eskuche, AIA, Eskuche Associates Photography by A.J. Mueller

Russell Hart - Orlando Interior Photography

Expansive glass covered patio featuring large outdoor grilling area and luxurious stone fireplace

Large, tiered backyard separated by a sandstone retaining wall and timber walkway connecting each level. Perfect garden layout for entertaining.

Photos by Peter Wodarz Front Landscape

Photos by Bob Greenspan

Photography by Rick Keating http://www.rickkeatingphotographer.com/

The entry to the Little Cloud residence is tucked under the shelter of the Living Room element which projects towards the view. An outdoor living room is accessible from the interior living room, to provide a true indoor/outdoor experience.

Introducing Our Latest Masterpiece – The Hideaway Retreat - 7 Locke Crescent East Fremantle Open Times- see our website When it comes to seeing potential in a building project there are few specialists more adept at putting it all together than Andre and the team at Empire Building Company. We invite you to come on in and view just what attention to detail looks like. During a visit we can outline for you why we selected this block of land, our response to it from a design perspective and the completed outcome a double storey elegantly crafted residence focussing on the likely occupiers needs and lifestyle. In today’s market place the more flexible a home is in form and function the more desirable it will be to live in. This has the dual effect of enhancing lifestyle for its occupants and making the home desirable to a broad market at time of sale and in so doing preserving value. “From the street the home has a bold presence. Once you step inside, the interior has been designed to have a calming retreat feel to accommodate a modern family, executive or retiring couple or even a family considering having their ageing parents move in.” Andre Malecky A hallmark of this home, not uncommon when developing in a residential infill location is the clever integration of engineering solutions to the home’s construction. At Empire we revel in this type of construction and design challenged situations and we go to extraordinary lengths to get the solution that best fits budget, timeliness and living amenity. In this home our solution was to employ a two-level strategic geometric design with a specifically engineered cantilevered roof that provides essential amenity but serves to accentuate the façade. Whilst the best solution for this home was to demolish and build brand new, this is not always the case. At Empire we have extensive experience is working with clients in renovating their existing home and transforming it into their dream home. This home was strategically positioned to maximise available views, northern exposure and natural light into the residence. Energy Efficiency has been considered for the end user by introduction of double-glazed windows, Velux roof window, insulated roof panels, ceiling and wall insulation, solar panels and even comes with a 3Ph electric car charge point in the opulently tiled garage. Some of the latest user-friendly automation, electronics and appliances will also make the living experience very satisfying. We invite you to view our latest show home and to discuss with us your current living challenges and aspirations. Being a custom boutique builder, we assess your situation, the block, the current structure and look for ways to maximise the full potential of the location, topography and design brief.

Pine Perch commands dramatic views to the eastern plains, from the Pine Brook Hills community just west of Boulder. Nestled into a sloping foothills site, the home is a lively beginning for a newly married couple and their visiting children and grandchildren. The continuation of materials from interior to exterior creates visually engaging indoor-outdoor connections. Structural stone walls extend from living spaces to outside buttressed walls, and steel ceiling beams ascend continuously from the Great Room to the uplifted shed roof outdoors. Corner window walls further help to “break the container” of living in this natural setting. Centered on food and good times, this sun-filled home expresses an uplifting spirit that the couple enthusiastically celebrates as life’s next chapter. The aesthetic is eclectic, while comfortably modern in its local response to site and materiality. Photo: Ron Ruscio Photography

Basement wine cellar by Robert Cameron as featured here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/dark-dusty-and-inspired-by-the-old-world-not-these-modern-wine-cellars/article13907081/ This Modern home sits atop one of Toronto's beautiful ravines. The full basement is equipped with a large home gym, a steam shower, change room, and guest Bathroom, the center of the basement is a games room/Movie and wine cellar. The other end of the full basement features a full guest suite complete with private Ensuite and kitchenette. The 2nd floor makes up the Master Suite, complete with Master bedroom, master dressing room, and a stunning Master Ensuite with a 20 foot long shower with his and hers access from either end. The bungalow style main floor has a kids bedroom wing complete with kids tv/play room and kids powder room at one end, while the center of the house holds the Kitchen/pantry and staircases. The kitchen open concept unfolds into the 2 story high family room or great room featuring stunning views of the ravine, floor to ceiling stone fireplace and a custom bar for entertaining. There is a separate powder room for this end of the house. As you make your way down the hall to the side entry there is a home office and connecting corridor back to the front entry. All in all a stunning example of a true Toronto Ravine property photos by Hand Spun Films

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