Montana Rockworks stone wall surrounds rustic farmhouse with wood bat on board siding and windows with red muntins with a large stone chimney.

The demolition of the original extension and its replacement, called for an intervention that can be a part of the original main building without replicating classical vocabulary or gesture. Our intent was to keep a sense of memory, while simultaneously allowing the new intervention to have its own identity. The original extension had no distinct historical or architectural value, and was structurally unsound, but it had a sloop roof profile typical of those found in terrace house back gardens. We chose to incorporate this banality in the new face of the rear garden – in a way fossilising and persevering its charm to carry some sense of associated memory to those who know it or those who see it new. As we uncovered the original building fabric, we discovered the history of the house. One of the existing walls had been leaning at a displacement of about one brick thick towards an adjacent building. These significant old movements were registered as cracks on the leaning wall, and have now been revealed and retained within the corridor.The structures of the new envelope have been exposed internally wherever practically possible, so that these surfaces will register the future stories of the house. They also narrate a story of local domestic construction methods by repeating some redundant details that recall the previous state of the house. The bare plaster finish is left exposed in the children's and second bedrooms. Hand marks of workmen trace the process of the work and are now recorded on the internal faces of the building’s fabric. The slow patination of bespoke copper and brass fittings shows the passage of time as they change from their original colour. By registering these notions of memories, the inconsistencies of daily life could fully inhabit the space. The building materials are all ordinary materials available at a local builder’s merchant – the full potential of which were tested through our detailing and different methods of site executions. The entire building and components were all modeled three dimensionally, with some components and furnishings further broken down to be processed in CNC, so they could be brought to the site as flatpack components. This process cut fabrication time and costs significantly, and reduced the distance between the drawing board and execution on site. Many designs could be executed within a few days notice and at no increase in cost – such as the cheese hole ventilation grill in the kitchen and the children’s height ruler on the column casing.The record of this CNC flatpack process can be traced to the numbering system visible on the faces of each piece. The executed flatpack elements include dining table, chairs and beds, as well as the internal stairs.

View from the street

Photo: Maggie Flickinger

An open plan within a traditional framework was the Owner’s goal - for ease of entertaining, for working at home, or for just hanging out as a family. We pushed out to the side, eliminating a useless appendage, to expand the dining room and to create a new family room. Large openings connect rooms as well as the garden, while allowing spacial definition. Additional renovations included updating the kitchen and master bath, as well as creating a formal office paneled in stained cherry wood. Photographs © Stacy Zarin-Goldberg

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

Russelll Abraham

Skysight Photography

Russ McConnel

WHAT MAKES VILLA TERRA GREEN? 1. Rammed Earth and PISE Walls Beyond it’s beautiful qualities and “Old World” look, the rammed earth and PISE walls (pneumatically impacted stabilized earth) drastically reduce the use of trees for the initial wall framing lumber. And because this “Earth Structure” will far outlast any wood frame building, trees are again saved many times over, creating the foundation for the true model of sustainability. We have created a house that will essentially last forever, instead of having to be rebuilt every 50 to 75 years. The 18” thick PISE walls and concrete floors also provide thermal mass, an integral part of the passive solar design of the house. These features help keep the house naturally cooler in summer and retaining heat in winter, greatly reducing the heating and cooling loads and energy use. 2. High Content Fly Ash Concrete Foundation Use of high content (25%) fly ash (industrial waste byproduct) in place of Portland Cement results in reduction of energy consumption and green house gas emissions associated with Portland cement production (second only to petroleum in terms of carbon dioxide emissions). 3. Reclaimed Plumbing Fixtures All lavatory sinks and tubs were bought from salvage yards (tub is reportedly from the Jack Benny house in Hollywood). Reclaimed Carrara marble fountain has been made into the powder room sink. 4. Natural Daylighting Use of numerous skylights and high transom windows to reduce electrical lighting loads during the day. Natural daylighting also has documented benefits on mood, productivity, and enjoyment of the space. 5. Photo Voltaic Solar Panels Use of PV solar electric generation system to reduce electrical grid consumption, and bi-directional meter sends power back to the grid when it is needed most, on hot summer afternoons. 6. Hydronic Radiant Heat Floor Use of hydronic radiant floor heating system saves energy, is more efficient for residential heating, is more comfortable for inhabitants, and promotes superior indoor air quality over forced air systems. 7. Natural/Passive Ventilation Use of operable skylights operable high windows and ceiling fans, creates a natural convection current, thereby eliminating the need for an air conditioning system. 8. Passive Solar Design Use of extensive east and south facing glass, proper overhangs, high interior mass, deciduous grape vines on appropriately placed trellises, to passively heat the home in winter, and protect the house from unnecessary heat gain in summer. 9. Reclaimed Lumber - Douglas fir ceiling beams reclaimed from the Town & Country Village Shopping Center (now Santana Row) in San Jose. - Douglas fir ceiling decking reclaimed from the 118 year old Notre Dame High School in downtown San Jose. TJI joists reclaimed from the “Millenium Man” movie set in Alameda used for floor and roof framing. Redwood ceiling beams reclaimed from a Los Altos cabana/trellis. 10. Extensive Use of Other Reclaimed Materials Two antique reclaimed European stone fireplace mantles grace the family room and master bedroom fireplaces. Interior doors with glass knobs reclaimed from the original house located at the property. Two large terraces utilize used brick salvaged from at least 15 different locations. Courtyard fountain is tiled using recycled and restored ceramic tiles from a 1928 California Colonial house in Los Altos. Cabinet lumber from original house used for closet shelving. Plywood from crates that the windows and doors were delivered in were used to create garage shear walls. Foundation forms were salvaged and rip cut for use as interior stud walls. Garage doors were salvaged from a remodel project in Mountain View. 11. Ground Source Heat Pump - Ground source heat pump uses geothermal energy to heat the house and domestic water, greatly reducing natural gas and fossil fuel consumption. 12. Low VOC Paint Clay Plaster Wall Finishes VOC-free interior paint and stain finishes promotes healthy indoor air quality, reduces exacerbation of respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung cancer. Extensive use of American Clay Plaster integral color wall finish eliminates need for painted walls. 13. High Efficiency Windows Use of energy efficient dual pane thermal glazing with “Low e” coating at all doors and windows reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, cutting energy use. 14. Engineered Structural Lumber Extensive use of engineered lumber for structural framing and sheathing reduces cutting of old growth forests, and encourages use of “crop lumber”. 15. FSC Certified Mill Work Extensive use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sustainable lumber products for cabinetry, hardwood flooring, trim, etc. further protects the environment through third party monitoring and certification of the entire supply chain. 16. Cotton Insulation Formaldehyde-free cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans used extensively for attic insulation. photography by Frank Paul Perez

1950s concrete block privacy wall on front of Palm Springs mid-century modern house. Greg Hoppe photographed all images.

House and garden design become a bridge between two different bodies of water: gentle Mecox Bay to the north and wild Atlantic Ocean to the south. An existing house was radically transformed as opposed to being demolished. Substantial effort was undertaken in order to reuse, rethink and modify existing conditions and materials. Much of the material removed was recycled or reused elsewhere. The plans were reworked to create smaller, staggered volumes, which are visually disconnected. Deep overhangs were added to strengthen the indoor/outdoor relationship and new bay to ocean views through the structure result in house as breezeway and bridge. The dunescape between house and shore was restored to a natural state while low maintenance building materials, allowed to weather naturally, will continue to strengthen the relationship of the structure to its surroundings. Photography credit: Kay Wettstein von Westersheimb Francesca Giovanelli Titlisstrasse 35 CH-8032 Zurich Switzerland

Yankee Barn Homes - Front courtyard with sliding barn door, cupola (skylight to kitchen), board and baton siding, post and beam interior.

LEICHT Küchen: http://www.leicht.de/en/references/abroad/project-hassel-luxembourg/ Creacubo Home Concepts: http://www.creacubo.lu/