Designer: False Creek Design Group Photographer: Ema Peter

Located within the urban core of Portland, Oregon, this 7th floor 2500 SF penthouse sits atop the historic Crane Building, a brick warehouse built in 1909. It has established views of the city, bridges and west hills but its historic status restricted any changes to the exterior. Working within the constraints of the existing building shell, GS Architects aimed to create an “urban refuge”, that provided a personal retreat for the husband and wife owners with the option to entertain on occasion.

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

This house in Austin’s Bouldin neighborhood is an exercise in efficiency and invention. The site’s three heritage trees drove the design, whose interplay of Hardiplank, wood, metal, and glass is enhanced by thoughtful details and clever spatial solutions. A cypress wood front porch reflects up the easy-going architecture of the neighborhood and another porch overlooks the courtyard, which offers a private outdoor room. Inside, cork floors, a walnut divider, and built-in entertainment center in the main living areas enrich the otherwise simple and sunny modern space. Frosted glass throughout the house provides natural light and privacy during the day and, filters the glow from the adjacent Moontower at night. Completed March 2011 - view construction progress photos General Contractor - JGB Custom Homes Kitchen Consultant - Hello Kitchen Interior Furnishing & Styling - Little Pond Deisgn Photography - Atelier Wong 5-star rating by Austin Energy Green Building Program Featured on 2011 AIA Homes Tour

Built, designed & furnished by Spinnaker Development, Newport Beach Interior Design by Details a Design Firm Photography by Bowman Group Photography

To view other design projects by TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design visit www.truexcullins.com Photographer: Jim Westphalen

Photo by Randy O'Rourke

5,400 Heated Square Foot home in St. Simons Island, GA