Plan B options

Pine was used for the exterior siding and the lower perimeter base is lined in reinforced concrete.

Forming a contemporary X, the home gracefully stretches its elongated wings into the countryside’s expanse. The unconventional shape of the house allows for different views from every room, while also creating a very functional living space with private and public wings that are connected by a family playroom at the junction.

In response to the site’s challenges, the architects designed a low-slung structure anchored in concrete, steel and wood that clings to the base of a hillside.

Thick, concrete walls add stability to the structure, while also highlighting the compositional datum line, which serves as the visual break between wood and stone. Above this delineated 10-foot mark, horizontal bands of redwood add warmth and a Western quality to the modern home.

The asymmetrical and geometric architecture was also brought indoors.

A striking dining room weaves Mid-Century with a classic sophistication.

Mike McConkey, a superintendent for a general contractor, tasked Chris Bittner of OBR Architecture with designing an environmentally sensitive home for he and his wife in San Diego County. Utilizing three shipping containers and a bevy of cost-effective appliances, they managed to limit the budget to $160,000.

For her family’s house near Melbourne, Anna Horne created a series of prefab wood modules using a design from the company Prebuilt. She found the old industrial letter at a factory; it stands for Somerset, the name of the house.

A low-slung breezeway connects the main living area and kitchen to the bedroom wing. “The idea was to experience the outdoors and island as you walk through the house,” says Kasper. “The design has worked out great for entertaining, because if people want to go to bed , they will not be disturbed by the action in the main living area.”

Architects Challenge 2015 Best in Show Winner: Healdsburg Residence The environmentally-friendly Healdsburg Residence is composed of four wings featuring iconic gabled roofs, connected by open breezeways. Architect: Nick Noyes; Architecture Firm: Nick Noyes Architecture #marvin #windows #doors #architecture #walkway #healdsburg #architectschallenge

Cook and Compa turned a carport into a breezeway, adding patio furniture and an orange bench to give the space a dash of color. Along with the patio, it adds 1,300 square feet of usable space during the warmer months.

Breezeway to the primary bedroom beyond that opens up to the pool courtyard through a pocketing glass door

Generous breezeways, walkways, and overhangs frame views beyond: “It’s like a promenade, with a forest at the end of the road,” says Deb.

Along the large porch/breezeway are bifacial solar panels (and a few Bertoia chairs). The panels collect direct sunlight from above and reflected light from below to increase the amount of energy created, which compensates for the flatness of the roof (not the optimal angle for typical solar panels). "One concern people have about solar panels is that they often look like an afterthought," says Davd Lee, one of the students who designed and built the home. Here they're integrated with the overall design and don't stick out like a sore thumb. Photo courtesy of the DOE.

In a narrow residual area between the breezeway and the house's northern elevation, Cohen created a so-called "skinny space," with a changing area accessible to the outdoor shower.

Tanya Wexler and Amy Zimmerman linger in the breezeway designed to draw eyes, and footsteps, from the driveway through the house to the gently sloping backyard and swimming pool beyond.