TOC design There were many challenges to this kitchen prior to its makeover: Insufficient lighting, No traffic flow, Height of individual cooks, Low ceilings, Dark, Cluttered, No space for entertaining, Enclosed space, Appliances blocking traffic, Inadequate counter prep space. With so many problems there was only one solution - gut the space including the surrounding areas like the dining room and living rooms to be able to create an open concept. We eliminated the upper wall cabinets, installed extra windows to bring in the natural light, added plenty of lighting,( for task, general, and decorative aspects) We kept colors warm and light throughout, Created a wall of tall utility cabinets, incorporating appliances and a multitude of functional storage. Designed cabinets to blend into the space. By removing all existing surrounding walls and landing step a larger footprint was designed to house an oversize island with different heights for each cooks’ comfort, thus being able to pass through easily, giving a traffic flow space between 42” to 60”. The Island was designed for better entertainment, prep work and plenty of storage but taking into consideration to NOT over dominate the space and obtrude the line of site. The use of warm tone materials such as natural walnut is the key element to the space and by adding it to the niche area, it balances the contrast of the light colors and creates a richness and warmth to the space. Some of the special features used where: Hidden practical elements added to be very functional yet unobtrusive; ie: garage door to hide all small appliances, a step ladder hidden inside the toe kick, food processor lift ,basket tilt at sink area, pull out coffee station. All features require less bending and heavy lifting. Under mount LED strip lighting at lunch counter and Niche area, Enhances the area and gives a floating appearance. Wine service area for easy entertaining, and self service. Concealed vent system at cook top, is not only practical but enhances the clean line design concept. Because of the low ceiling a large over head hood would have broken up line of site. Products used: Millwork cabinets: The kitchen cabinets doors are made of a flat euro style MDF (medium density fiberboard) base polyurethane lacquer and a vertical glassing application. The Kitchen island cabinet doors are also made out of MDF – large stile shaker doors color: BM-HC-83 ( grant beige) and the lunch counter cabinet doors as well as accentuating elements throughout the kitchen are made in a natural walnut veneer. Mike Prentice from Bluerock Cabinets http://www.bluerockcabinets.com Quartz Countertops: Hanstone color: sandcastle supplied by Leeza Distribution of St. Laurent. http://www.leezadistribution.com Appliances: The GE monogram induction mirror 36” cooktop was supplied by J.C. Perreault - Kirkland as were all the other appliances. They include a 42” counter depth fridge, a 30” convection combination built-in oven and microwave, a 24” duel temperature wine cellar and 36” (pop-up) downdraft vent 900 cfm by KitchenAid – Architect series II http://www.jcperrault.com Backsplash porcelain tiles Model: city view Color: skyline gray supplied by Daltile of St. Laurent. http://www.daltile.com Lighting Four pendants provide the lighting over the island and lunch counter supplemented by recessed LED lighting from Shortall Electric Ltd. of St. Laurent. http://www.shortall.ca Flooring: Laminated Renaissance Hand scrapped color saddle oak is commercial-grade AC3 that can withstand the heavy traffic flow supplied by Taiga Forest Products of Boucherville. http://www.taigabuilding.com

The double height ceiling gives much greater volume to the small courtyard space and allows for access for sight lines to the blue sky. All living spaces on both levels can engage with the courtyard. Photo credit- Ron Tan Photography

2012 KuDa Photography

A 1927 colonial home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received a breathtaking renovation that required extensive work, transforming it from a tucked away, utilitarian space, to an all-purpose gathering room, a role that most kitchens embrace in a home today. The scope of work changed over the course of the project, starting more minimalistically and then quickly becoming the main focus of the house's remodeling, resulting in a staircase being relocated and walls being torn down to create an inviting focal point to the home where family and friends could connect. The focus of the functionality was to allow for multiple prep areas with the inclusion of two islands and sinks, two eating areas (one for impromptu snacking and small meals of younger family members and friends on island no. two and a built-in bench seat for everyday meals in the immediate family). The kitchen was equipped with all Subzero and Wolf appliances, including a 48" range top with a 12" griddle, two double ovens, a 42" built-in side by side refrigerator and freezer, a microwave drawer on island no. one and a beverage center and icemaker in island no. two. The aesthetic feeling embraces the architectural feel of the home while adding a modern sensibility with the revamped layout and graphic elements that tie the color palette of whites, chocolate and charcoal. The cabinets were custom made and outfitted with beaded inset doors with a Shaker panel frame and finished in Benjamin Moore's OC-17 White Dove, a soft white that allowed for the kitchen to feel warm while still maintaining its brightness. Accents of walnut were added to create a sense of warmth, including a custom premium grade walnut countertop on island no. one from Brooks Custom and a TV cabinet with a doggie feeding station beneath. Bringing the cabinet line to the 8'6" ceiling height helps the room feel taller and bold light fixtures at the islands and eating area add detail to an otherwise simpler ceiling detail. The 1 1/4" countertops feature Calacatta Gold Marble with an ogee edge detail. Special touches on the interiors include secret storage panels, an appliance garage, breadbox, pull-out drawers behind the cabinet doors and all soft-close hinges and drawer glides. A kneading area was made as a part of island no. one for the homeowners' love of baking, complete with a stone top allowing for dough to stay cool. Baskets beneath store kitchen essentials that need air circulation. The room adjacent to the kitchen was converted to a hearth room (from a formal dining room) to extend the kitchen's living space and allow for a natural spillover for family and guests to spill into. Jason Miller, Pixelate

Screened porch is 14'x20'. photos by Ryann Ford

Double height ceiling with grand fireplace

double height ceiling with open riser stair case.

Complete interior renovation of a 1980s split level house in the Virginia suburbs. Main level includes reading room, dining, kitchen, living and master bedroom suite. New front elevation at entry, new rear deck and complete re-cladding of the house. Interior: The prototypical layout of the split level home tends to separate the entrance, and any other associated space, from the rest of the living spaces one half level up. In this home the lower level "living" room off the entry was physically isolated from the dining, kitchen and family rooms above, and was only connected visually by a railing at dining room level. The owner desired a stronger integration of the lower and upper levels, in addition to an open flow between the major spaces on the upper level where they spend most of their time. ExteriorThe exterior entry of the house was a fragmented composition of disparate elements. The rear of the home was blocked off from views due to small windows, and had a difficult to use multi leveled deck. The owners requested an updated treatment of the entry, a more uniform exterior cladding, and an integration between the interior and exterior spaces. SOLUTIONS The overriding strategy was to create a spatial sequence allowing a seamless flow from the front of the house through the living spaces and to the exterior, in addition to unifying the upper and lower spaces. This was accomplished by creating a "reading room" at the entry level that responds to the front garden with a series of interior contours that are both steps as well as seating zones, while the orthogonal layout of the main level and deck reflects the pragmatic daily activities of cooking, eating and relaxing. The stairs between levels were moved so that the visitor could enter the new reading room, experiencing it as a place, before moving up to the main level. The upper level dining room floor was "pushed" out into the reading room space, thus creating a balcony over and into the space below. At the entry, the second floor landing was opened up to create a double height space, with enlarged windows. The rear wall of the house was opened up with continuous glass windows and doors to maximize the views and light. A new simplified single level deck replaced the old one.

The desire to update a 1960’s vintage kitchen and provide entertainment space for an accomplished gourmet cook was the driving force for the project. The existing house with its strong horizontality imposed a design aesthetic that clearly identified the problem of adding volumetric space to the kitchen. Initial design direction by the clients included maximizing daylight into the space while working with the existing structural components and adding finished basement space for their wine cellar. Conceptually, the cooking, prep and serving area are within a double height space surrounded by the existing single story entertaining areas. The strong horizontality of the existing structure is carried across the double height space, referencing the horizontality of the existing house. Material detailing of the addition is in keeping with all architectural detailing present in the existing structure. The addition creates a striking focal point for the house while responding to the style and intent of the original architecture.

This space truly allowed us to create a luxurious walk in closet with a boutique feel. The room has plenty of volume with the vaulted ceiling and terrific lighting. The vanity area is not only beautiful but very functional was well. Bella Systems

James Lockhart photo

Pool House (2010) Project and Works Management Location Los Castores I, Nordelta, Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina Total Area 457 m² Photo Luis Abregú Pool House> Principal> Arq. Alejandro Amoedo Lead Designer> Arq. Lucas D’Adamo Baumann Project Manager> Hernan Montes de Oca Collaborators> Federico Segretin Sueyro, Luciana Flores, Fausto Cristini The main condition suggested by the owner for the design of this permanent home was to direct the views to the vast lagoon that is on the rear façade of the land. To this end, we designed an inverted L layout, withdrawing the access to the house towards the center of the lot, allowing for wider perspectives at the rear of the lot and without limits to the environment. Aligned on the front façade are the garages, study, toilet and service rooms: laundry, pantry, one bedroom, one bathroom and the barbecue area. This geometry created a long path towards the entrance of the house, which was designed by combining vehicle and pedestrian access. The social areas are organized from the access hall around an inner yard that integrates natural light to the different environments. The kitchen, the dining room, the gallery and the sitting room are aligned and overlooking the lagoon. The sitting room has a double height, incorporating the stairs over one of the sides of the inner yard and an in-out swimming pool that is joined to the lake visually and serves as separation from the master suite. The upper floor is organized around the double-height space, also benefiting from the views of the environment, the inner yard and the garden. Its plan is made up of two full guest suites and a large study prepared for the owners’ work, also enjoying the best views of the lagoon, not just from its privileged location in height but also from its sides made of glass towards the exterior and towards the double height of the sitting room.

Dining Room

Pool House (2010) Project and Works Management Location Los Castores I, Nordelta, Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina Total Area 457 m² Photo Luis Abregú Pool House> Principal> Arq. Alejandro Amoedo Lead Designer> Arq. Lucas D’Adamo Baumann Project Manager> Hernan Montes de Oca Collaborators> Federico Segretin Sueyro, Luciana Flores, Fausto Cristini The main condition suggested by the owner for the design of this permanent home was to direct the views to the vast lagoon that is on the rear façade of the land. To this end, we designed an inverted L layout, withdrawing the access to the house towards the center of the lot, allowing for wider perspectives at the rear of the lot and without limits to the environment. Aligned on the front façade are the garages, study, toilet and service rooms: laundry, pantry, one bedroom, one bathroom and the barbecue area. This geometry created a long path towards the entrance of the house, which was designed by combining vehicle and pedestrian access. The social areas are organized from the access hall around an inner yard that integrates natural light to the different environments. The kitchen, the dining room, the gallery and the sitting room are aligned and overlooking the lagoon. The sitting room has a double height, incorporating the stairs over one of the sides of the inner yard and an in-out swimming pool that is joined to the lake visually and serves as separation from the master suite. The upper floor is organized around the double-height space, also benefiting from the views of the environment, the inner yard and the garden. Its plan is made up of two full guest suites and a large study prepared for the owners’ work, also enjoying the best views of the lagoon, not just from its privileged location in height but also from its sides made of glass towards the exterior and towards the double height of the sitting room.

Flavin Architects collaborated with Ben Wood Studio Shanghai on the design of this modern house overlooking a blueberry farm. A contemporary design that looks at home in a traditional New England landscape, this house features many environmentally sustainable features including passive solar heat and native landscaping. The house is clad in stucco and natural wood in clear and stained finishes and also features a double height dining room with a double-sided fireplace. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Photo-Jim Westphalen

This Westlake site posed several challenges that included managing a sloping lot and capturing the views of downtown Austin in specific locations on the lot, while staying within the height restrictions. The service and garages split in two, buffering the less private areas of the lot creating an inner courtyard. The ancillary rooms are organized around this court leading up to the entertaining areas. The main living areas serve as a transition to a private natural vegetative bluff on the North side. Breezeways and terraces connect the various outdoor living spaces feeding off the great room and dining, balancing natural light and summer breezes to the interior spaces. The private areas are located on the upper level, organized in an inverted “u”, maximizing the best views on the lot. The residence represents a programmatic collaboration of the clients’ needs and subdivision restrictions while engaging the unique features of the lot. Built by Butterfield Custom Homes Photography by Adam Steiner

Pilcher Residential