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Collection by Zach Edelson

Best of #ModernMonday: Energy Efficiency and Savings

Every Monday, @dwell and @designmilk invite fans and experts on Twitter to weigh in on trending topics in design.

Today we discussed energy efficiency and savings with @phplusmag and @treehugger.

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In realizing their dream to build a country retreat in upstate New York, Sandy Chilewich and Joe Sultan—proprietors of the textiles firm Chilewich|Sultan—eschewed a mountainous view for an understated wooded plot. At 800 square feet, the flat-roofed home is a modest structure for the expansive 10-acre property.
In realizing their dream to build a country retreat in upstate New York, Sandy Chilewich and Joe Sultan—proprietors of the textiles firm Chilewich|Sultan—eschewed a mountainous view for an understated wooded plot. At 800 square feet, the flat-roofed home is a modest structure for the expansive 10-acre property.
When midcentury enthusiast Margaret Riley purchased a rundown Los Angeles ranch, she turned to architect Cory Buckner to remodel the home after nearby modernist icons. Along with redwood siding, sliding glass doors, and a butterfly roof, Buckner added a second floor balcony with views of Santa Monica Bay.
When midcentury enthusiast Margaret Riley purchased a rundown Los Angeles ranch, she turned to architect Cory Buckner to remodel the home after nearby modernist icons. Along with redwood siding, sliding glass doors, and a butterfly roof, Buckner added a second floor balcony with views of Santa Monica Bay.
“Initially the design had the studios completely separated from the main house with a sort of breezeway in between,” says Stern, who ultimately decided to physically connect them in a way that evokes walking through the outdoors. “The studios and breezeway are separated from the main house with pocket doors to create privacy when needed, and allow it to function as a separate guest suite for overnight visitors.”
“Initially the design had the studios completely separated from the main house with a sort of breezeway in between,” says Stern, who ultimately decided to physically connect them in a way that evokes walking through the outdoors. “The studios and breezeway are separated from the main house with pocket doors to create privacy when needed, and allow it to function as a separate guest suite for overnight visitors.”
With the challenge of fitting a four bedroom house on an oddly shaped plot, Merer's design aimed to maximize space. Cor-Ten steel makes up the home's distinctive exterior, a nod to the site's industrial roots. Glass, steel, and wood intersect on the second floor wrap-around deck.
With the challenge of fitting a four bedroom house on an oddly shaped plot, Merer's design aimed to maximize space. Cor-Ten steel makes up the home's distinctive exterior, a nod to the site's industrial roots. Glass, steel, and wood intersect on the second floor wrap-around deck.
The project features passive design strategies to maximize natural daylighting and temperature control. The design process began with extensive site analysis to determine year-round shading and solar heat gain; Greenfab also conducted energy modeling to compare the energy impacts of different facade materials.
The project features passive design strategies to maximize natural daylighting and temperature control. The design process began with extensive site analysis to determine year-round shading and solar heat gain; Greenfab also conducted energy modeling to compare the energy impacts of different facade materials.