Featured in the August 2014 edition of Timber Home Living Magazine & Winner of the NH American Institute of Architects People's Choice Award for 2013! The timber frame can be easily seen at night in this beautiful home in Vermont. Architectural design by Bonin Architects & Associates. Photography by John W. Hession. www.boninarchitects.com

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

This wonderful rooftop space has all the goodies that a urban dweller could ask for. AOG grill, fridge, sitting bar area, custom fire table to match kitchen, custom Ipe/stainless steel kitchen table, Garden, pet turf, Porcelain tiles from Italy, Ipe flooring and a lovely open space to enjoy the views of Chicago. This rooftop is on the home stretch. The only material we are waiting for is the fabric for the top of our pergola, and the draps that will enclose the private space we provided.

A complete interior remodel of a top floor unit in a stately Pacific Heights building originally constructed in 1925. The remodel included the construction of a new elevated roof deck with a custom spiral staircase and “penthouse” connecting the unit to the outdoor space. The unit has two bedrooms, a den, two baths, a powder room, an updated living and dining area and a new open kitchen. The design highlights the dramatic views to the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, the views west to the Pacific Ocean and the City to the south. Finishes include custom stained wood paneling and doors throughout, engineered mahogany flooring with matching mahogany spiral stair treads. The roof deck is finished with a lava stone and ipe deck and paneling, frameless glass guardrails, a gas fire pit, irrigated planters, an artificial turf dog park and a solar heated cedar hot tub.

Traditional 2 column shed roof portico with curved railing. Designed and built by Georgia Front Porch.

North Elevation Sam Oberter Photography

A new garden shed is clad in stained cedar wood slats and has a lush green roof. photo: Adams Mohler Ghillino

Bernard Andre Photography

design by Pulp Design Studios | http://pulpdesignstudios.com/ photo by Kevin Dotolo | http://kevindotolo.com/

Mike Besley’s Holland Street design has won the residential alterations/additions award category of the BDAA Sydney Regional Chapter Design Awards 2020. Besley is the director and building designer of ICR Design, a forward-thinking Building Design Practice based in Castle Hill, New South Wales. Boasting a reimagined entry veranda, this design was deemed by judges to be a great version of an Australian coastal house - simple, elegant, tasteful. A lovely house well-laid out to separate the living and sleeping areas. The reworking of the existing front balcony and footprint is a creative re-imagining of the frontage. With good northern exposure masses of natural light, and PV on the roof, the home boasts many sustainable features. The designer was praised by this transformation of a standard red brick 70's home into a modern beach style dwelling.

In keeping with the estate’s traditional English Tudor style 10,000 sq. ft. of gardens were designed. The English Gardens are characterized by regular, geometric planting patterns and pathways, with antique decorative accessories heightening their old-world feel. Special nooks and hideaways, coupled with the sound of cascading water in fountains, create a serene environment, while delicate lighting in planter boxes makes the garden perfect for early evening strolls.

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

Aralia Gardens Limited. www.aralia.org.uk

House of Ruby Interior Design’s philosophy is one of relaxed sophistication. With an extensive knowledge of materials, craftsmanship and color, we create warm, layered interiors which have become the hallmark of our firm. With each project, House of Ruby Interior Design develops a close relationship with the client and strives to celebrate their individuality, interests, and daily essentials for living and entertaining. We are dedicated to creating environments that are distinctive and highly livable. Photo Credit: Kira Shemano Photography

The grandeur of this formal living room is unmistakable. Soaring cathedral ceilings with exposed wood trusses are accented with sparkling iron and crystal chandeliers. The scrolled iron railing is detailed and delicate on the curving grand staircase. Custom draperies, artwork, lighting, furniture, and accessories round out this beautiful space.

Photographer: Rob Karosis

This custom contemporary NYC roof garden near Gramercy Park features beautifully stained ipe deck and planters with plantings of evergreens, Japanese maples, bamboo, boxwoods, and ornamental grasses. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

Michael Moran/OTTO photography. The objective of this award-winning gut renovation was to create a spatially dynamic, light-filled, and energy-efficient home with a strong connection to Long Island Sound. The design strategy is straightforward: a gabled roof covers a central “spine” corridor that terminates with cathedral ceilinged spaces at both ends. The relocated approach and entry deposit visitors into the front hall with its curvilinear, cantilevered stair. A two-story, windowed family gathering space lies ahead – a straight shot to the water beyond. The design challenge was to utilize the existing house footprint and structure, while raising the top of foundation walls to exceed new flood regulations, reconfiguring the spatial organization, and using innovative materials to produce a tight thermal envelope and contemporary yet contextually appropriate facades.

Back yard space for entertaining includes a gas fire-pit, infinity-edge water fountain, and curving steel and cedar pergola. Floor is paved with Cut Bluestone and features a soft green divider. Rain garden helps collect and divert water around the patio and down the slope. Ipe deck with stainless steel cable railings and wide easy-to-navigate steps provides dining space next to the kitchen and access to the patio below. Dry seating area below deck provides another intimate space. Front yard design takes advantage of mature maples, while updating plantings and adding lovely cedar and steel screens.