The new Entry was offset to the right of center in the Entry Courtyard. The architects designed a series of rectangular forms in the new Courtyard surfacing to center it to the outdoor space, as it approaches the new circular driveway. The Entry Portico was set on a raised bluestone platform, supported by fiberglas columns. Roman returns sit below the gabled roof, which was cut into an elliptical arch to match the transom. The Foyer ceiling beyond was vaulted to extend the height into the Entry Foyer. The elliptical transom window over the entry door was designed to bring northern light into the new Foyer. Photo by Glen Grayson, AIA

Moda Stainless Steel Gate Latch with dummy handle and deadbolt on contemporary double wooden gates. Photo and gates by Charles Prowell Woodworks.

This old farmhouse (ca. late 18th century) has undergone many renovations over the years. Spring Creek Design added its stamp in 2008, with a small mudroom addition and a complete interior renovation. The addition encompasses a 1st floor mudroom with extensive cabinetry and closetry. Upon entering the space from the driveway, cabinet and countertop space is provided to accommodate incoming grocery bags. Next in line are a series of “lockers” and cubbies - just right for coats, hats and book bags. Further inside is a wrap-around window seat with cedar shoe racks beneath. A stainless steel dog feeding station rounds out the amenities - all built atop a natural Vermont slate floor. On the lower level, the addition features a full bathroom and a “Dude Pod” - a compact work and play space for the resident code monkey. Outfitted with a stand-up desk and an electronic drum kit, one needs only emerge for Mountain Dew refills and familial visits. Within the existing space, we added an ensuite bathroom for the third floor bedroom. The second floor bathroom and first floor powder room were also gutted and remodeled. The master bedroom was extensively remodeled - given a vaulted ceiling and a wall of floor-to-roof built-ins accessed with a rolling ladder. An extensive, multi-level deck and screen house was added to provide outdoor living space, with secure, dry storage below. Design Criteria: - Update house with a high sustainability standard. - Provide bathroom for daughters’ third floor bedroom. - Update remaining bathrooms - Update cramped, low ceilinged master bedroom - Provide mudroom/entryway solutions. - Provide a window seating space with good visibility of back and side yards – to keep an eye on the kids at play. - Replace old deck with a updated deck/screen porch combination. - Update sitting room with a wood stove and mantle. Special Features: - Insulated Concrete Forms used for Dude Pod foundation. - Soy-based spray foam insulation used in the addition and master bedroom. - Paperstone countertops in mudroom. - Zero-VOC paints and finishes used throughout the project. - All decking and trim for the deck/screen porch is made from 100% recycled HDPE (milk jugs, soda, water bottles) - High efficiency combination washer/dryer.

This project involved two driveway gates put up by the homeowners, one at the street, one in line with house to separate the back yard. They have young children and needed to ensure their safety when they're playing outside. We designed the Nero Latch for this project. The Nero is a lever gate latch, with the plate measuring 2.5"w x 5"h. Parts are made of stainless steel and aluminum, and everything is powder coated satin black.The latch is self-latching. The style of the latch lends itself to contemporary, traditional, and transitional projects. Photo: C Perham

Clients wanted to add the WOW factor to their front entry. Using our Frangipani Design in brushed stainless steel on a powder coated frame, the new gate looks sensational !

We remodeled this unassuming mid-century home from top to bottom. An entire third floor and two outdoor decks were added. As a bonus, we made the whole thing accessible with an elevator linking all three floors. The 3rd floor was designed to be built entirely above the existing roof level to preserve the vaulted ceilings in the main level living areas. Floor joists spanned the full width of the house to transfer new loads onto the existing foundation as much as possible. This minimized structural work required inside the existing footprint of the home. A portion of the new roof extends over the custom outdoor kitchen and deck on the north end, allowing year-round use of this space. Exterior finishes feature a combination of smooth painted horizontal panels, and pre-finished fiber-cement siding, that replicate a natural stained wood. Exposed beams and cedar soffits provide wooden accents around the exterior. Horizontal cable railings were used around the rooftop decks. Natural stone installed around the front entry enhances the porch. Metal roofing in natural forest green, tie the whole project together. On the main floor, the kitchen remodel included minimal footprint changes, but overhauling of the cabinets and function. A larger window brings in natural light, capturing views of the garden and new porch. The sleek kitchen now shines with two-toned cabinetry in stained maple and high-gloss white, white quartz countertops with hints of gold and purple, and a raised bubble-glass chiseled edge cocktail bar. The kitchen’s eye-catching mixed-metal backsplash is a fun update on a traditional penny tile. The dining room was revamped with new built-in lighted cabinetry, luxury vinyl flooring, and a contemporary-style chandelier. Throughout the main floor, the original hardwood flooring was refinished with dark stain, and the fireplace revamped in gray and with a copper-tile hearth and new insert. During demolition our team uncovered a hidden ceiling beam. The clients loved the look, so to meet the planned budget, the beam was turned into an architectural feature, wrapping it in wood paneling matching the entry hall. The entire day-light basement was also remodeled, and now includes a bright & colorful exercise studio and a larger laundry room. The redesign of the washroom includes a larger showering area built specifically for washing their large dog, as well as added storage and countertop space. This is a project our team is very honored to have been involved with, build our client’s dream home.

Sash were replaced within existing frames except new double hung windows at far left which replaced a wrap-around corner window. Street trees in foreground are crape myrtle.

This contemporary modern home is set in the north foothills of Eagle, Idaho. Views of horses and vineyards sweep across the valley from the open living plan and spacious outdoor living areas. Mono pitch & butterfly metal roofs give this home a contemporary feel while setting it unobtrusively into the hillside. Surrounded by natural and fire-wise landscaping, the untreated metal siding, beams, and roof supports will weather into the natural hues of the desert sage and grasses. Photo Credit: Joshua Roper Photography.

The smaller, rectangular polycarbonate awning seen over the door on the south side of the home was specifically designed to "diffuse" sunlight during the fall, spring, and summer. Roof overhangs are an important part of a passive solar home for blocking out unwanted solar heat gain during the warmer months. Since the shadow created by the roof overhang on the south side of the home will not reach over the lower level door and windows, the polycarbonate awning will help to serve the same important function. Greenovision Home Design

Johannes Merkler/Photographer Cynthia Spiers/Landscape Architect

This transitional Mediterranean designed home features concrete roof tiles and a concrete interlocking paver driveway. The architecture was designed by The Benedict Group and the landscape architecture was done by David Bodker Associates.

SLDarch: The shaded Main Entry, tucked deep into the shadows, is approached from a rising stepped garden path, leading up to a gentle, quiet water feature and custom stainless steel, glass and wood pivot entry door...open this and venture in to the Central Foyer space, shrouded by curved concrete & stainless steel structure and orienting the visitor to the central core of this curvaceous home. From this central orientation point, one begins to perceive the magic and mystery yet to be revealed in the undulating spatial volumes, spiraling out in several directions. Ahead is the kitchen and breakfast room, to the right are the Children's Bedroom Wing and the 'ocotillo stairs' to Master Bedroom upstairs. Venture left down the gentle ramp that follows along the gurgling water stream and meander past the bar and billiards, or on towards the main living room. The entire ceiling areas are a brilliant series of overlapping smoothly curved plaster and steel framed layers, separated by translucent poly-carbonate panels. This combats the intense summer heat and light, but carefully allows indirect natural daylight to gently sift through the deep interior of this unique desert home. Wandering through the organic curves of this home eventually leads you to another gentle ramp leading to the very private and secluded Meditation Room, entered through a double shoji door and sporting a supple leather floor radiating around a large circular glass Floor Window. Here is the ideal place to sit and meditate while seeming to hover over the colorful reflecting koi pool just below. The glass meditation room walls slide open, revealing a special desert garden, while at night the gurgling water reflects dancing lights up through the glass floor into this lovely Zen Zone. "Blocking the intense summer sun was a prime objective here and was accomplished by clever site orientation, massive roof overhangs, super insulated exterior walls and roof, ultra high-efficiency water cooled A/C system and ample earth contact and below grade areas." There is a shady garden path with foot bridge crossing over a natural desert wash, leading to the detached Desert Office, actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30" while hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled sits another six car garage. The main residence also has a 4 car below grade garage and lovely swimming pool with party patio in the backyard. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.

The St. Andrews was carefully crafted to offer large open living areas on narrow lots. When you walk into the St. Andrews, you will be wowed by the grand two-story celling just beyond the foyer. Continuing into the home, the first floor alone offers over 2,200 square feet of living space and features the master bedroom, guest bedroom and bath, a roomy den highlighted by French doors, and a separate family foyer just off the garage. Also on the first floor is the spacious kitchen which offers a large walk-in pantry, adjacent dining room, and flush island top that overlooks the great room and oversized, covered lanai. The lavish master suite features two oversized walk-in closets, dual vanities, a roomy walk-in shower, and a beautiful garden tub. The second-floor adds just over 600 square feet of flexible space with a large rear-facing loft and covered balcony as well as a third bedroom and bath.

Alice Washburn Award 2015 - Winner - Accessory Building athome A list Awards 2015 - Finalist - Best Pool House Robert Benson Photography

A modern inspired, contemporary town house in Philadelphia's most historic neighborhood. This custom built luxurious home provides state of the art urban living on six levels with all the conveniences of suburban homes. Vertical staking allows for each floor to have its own function, feel, style and purpose, yet they all blend to create a rarely seen home. A six-level elevator makes movement easy throughout. With over 5,000 square feet of usable indoor space and over 1,200 square feet of usable exterior space, this is urban living at its best. Breathtaking 360 degree views from the roof deck with outdoor kitchen and plunge pool makes this home a 365 day a year oasis in the city. Photography by Jay Greene.

The house is located in the Southern Gulf Islands on the site of a former cottage. To the north and east the site is defined by public roads. New construction has been set back from the original structure and located on a strip of land to the west where there are views out over a secluded bay. This avoided the need to remove any trees, and at the same time made it possible to create a new entry for the house while retaining existing points of access onto the site for pedestrians and vehicles. The foundation and lower level of the house are concrete and stucco. These materials anchor the house to its surroundings and create a base for lighter construction above. This includes a zinc roof that folds onto the north elevation to form both a wall and a canopy. Wood framing is exploited at both roof and floor levels and it cantilevers out on the south facing elevation to provide shading and underline the formal qualities of the house. Prefabricated roof trusses, designed with extensions of the top and bottom chords, articulate the prosaic assembly. The ottom chord has been extended so as to express the cubic ature of the interior volume and at the same time inscribe an obvious datum against which to read the varied topography of the site. The depth of the roof truss is revealed as a recessed mass between the elongated interior volume and its zinc clad wrapper. The entrance to the house has been planned within a gap on the northern elevation. This gap is also referenced in section by slippages in the roof planes and the points where the stair creates an opening in the floors. Protected external walls have been designed with a rain-screen cladding of horizontal slats of yellow cedar that define areas of human habitation, entrances, decks and patios. Photographed by Tom Arvan.

Landscape Architect: Simmonds & Associates Builder: Kasten Builders Landscape Contractor: McArdell Landscape Photographer: Mark Adams Pictures 415-306-2170 mark@markadamspictures.com