Wood Pillar Designs & Ideas


Architect: Michael Waters, AIA, LDa Architecture & Interiors
Photography By: Greg Premru
“This project succeeds not only in creating beautiful architecture, but in making us better understand the nature of the site and context. It has a presence that feels completely rooted in its site and raised above any appeal to fashion. It clarifies local traditions while extending them.”
This single-family residential estate in Upstate New York includes a farmhouse-inspired residence along with a timber-framed barn and attached greenhouse adjacent to an enclosed garden area and surrounded by an orchard. The ultimate goal was to create a home that would have an authentic presence in the surrounding agricultural landscape and strong visual and physical connections to the site. The design incorporated an existing colonial residence, resituated on the site and preserved along with contemporary additions on three sides. The resulting home strikes a perfect balance between traditional farmhouse architecture and sophisticated contemporary living.
Inspiration came from the hilltop site and mountain views, the existing colonial residence, and the traditional forms of New England farm and barn architecture. The house and barn were designed to be a modern interpretation of classic forms.
The living room and kitchen are combined in a large two-story space. Large windows on three sides of the room and at both first and second floor levels reveal a panoramic view of the surrounding farmland and flood the space with daylight. Marvin Windows helped create this unique space as well as the airy glass galleries that connect the three main areas of the home. Marvin Windows were also used in the barn.
MARVIN PRODUCTS USED:
Marvin Ultimate Casement Window
Marvin Ultimate Double Hung Window
Marvin Ultimate Venting Picture Window
Find the right local pro for your project


With a complete gut and remodel, this home was taken from a dated, traditional style to a contemporary home with a lighter and fresher aesthetic. The interior space was organized to take better advantage of the sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Existing exterior elements were mixed with newer materials to create the unique design of the façade.
Photos done by Brian Fussell at Rangeline Real Estate Photography


Who says green and sustainable design has to look like it? Designed to emulate the owner’s favorite country club, this fine estate home blends in with the natural surroundings of it’s hillside perch, and is so intoxicatingly beautiful, one hardly notices its numerous energy saving and green features.
Durable, natural and handsome materials such as stained cedar trim, natural stone veneer, and integral color plaster are combined with strong horizontal roof lines that emphasize the expansive nature of the site and capture the “bigness” of the view. Large expanses of glass punctuated with a natural rhythm of exposed beams and stone columns that frame the spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Los Gatos Hills.
A shady outdoor loggia and cozy outdoor fire pit create the perfect environment for relaxed Saturday afternoon barbecues and glitzy evening dinner parties alike. A glass “wall of wine” creates an elegant backdrop for the dining room table, the warm stained wood interior details make the home both comfortable and dramatic.
The project’s energy saving features include:
- a 5 kW roof mounted grid-tied PV solar array pays for most of the electrical needs, and sends power to the grid in summer 6 year payback!
- all native and drought-tolerant landscaping reduce irrigation needs
- passive solar design that reduces heat gain in summer and allows for passive heating in winter
- passive flow through ventilation provides natural night cooling, taking advantage of cooling summer breezes
- natural day-lighting decreases need for interior lighting
- fly ash concrete for all foundations
- dual glazed low e high performance windows and doors
Design Team:
Noel Cross+Architects - Architect
Christopher Yates Landscape Architecture
Joanie Wick – Interior Design
Vita Pehar - Lighting Design
Conrado Co. – General Contractor
Marion Brenner – Photography


A New Home in the Craftsman Style in Burlingame, California
Our design of this large house in Burlingame was inspired by nearby Craftsman style homes. We also designed the swimming pool, pool house and bridges in the back yard. Carefully designed wood brackets and details complement the strong symmetrical form of the exterior. Traditional wood and leaded glass windows, stone masonry and slate tile roofs with copper gutters also contribute to this authentic and timeless design. This rich palette of materials and detailing are continued inside the house with coffered wood ceilings, painted wainscot paneling and trim, custom fireplace surrounds, decorative ironwork railings, and a curved entry stair. We represented our client in sensitive negotiations with neighbors of multiple Planning Commission hearings. The kitchen was featured in the 2006 Burlingame Classic Kitchen Tour.


Project by Home Tailors Building & Remodeling + M.Valdes Architects
Photos by George Heinrich Photography


WHOLE HOUSE RENOVATION AND ADDITION
Built in the 1940s, this cottage had an incredible amount of character and personality but was not conducive to the way we live today. The rooms were small and did not flow well into one another. The renovation of this house required opening up several rooms and adding square footage to the back of the home, all the while, keeping the curb appeal of a small cottage.
Photographs by jeanallsopp.com
Wood Pillar Designs & Ideas


Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)
1