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An outdoor shower was the family’s first construction project. “Doing the shower made us realize we can build things the way we want to build them,” says Meg.
An outdoor shower was the family’s first construction project. “Doing the shower made us realize we can build things the way we want to build them,” says Meg.
Architecture firm NADAAA planned a striated addition to a brick neo-Georgian house in Boston with the owners’ primary goal in mind: to engage with the outdoors year-round. The walls of the rear kitchen and living space are virtually all glass, allowing sight lines to the existing gardens and new pool house through a series of framed vignettes onto the backyard landscape. The glass box is bookended by uniform “fins” that mark the edge of each picture window, as shown here. Photo by John Horner.
Architecture firm NADAAA planned a striated addition to a brick neo-Georgian house in Boston with the owners’ primary goal in mind: to engage with the outdoors year-round. The walls of the rear kitchen and living space are virtually all glass, allowing sight lines to the existing gardens and new pool house through a series of framed vignettes onto the backyard landscape. The glass box is bookended by uniform “fins” that mark the edge of each picture window, as shown here. Photo by John Horner.
When the Ferguson Sauder family—parents Meg, a school counselor, and Tim, a design instructor, plus kids Cole, Olive, and Asher—wanted a multifunctional backyard addition, they decided to build it themselves. Two Liftoff chairs by Tim Miller, one of Tim’s former students, surround an oil-drum fire pit set in granite dug up on the property. On the deck, the Panamericana chair is by Industry of All Nations.
When the Ferguson Sauder family—parents Meg, a school counselor, and Tim, a design instructor, plus kids Cole, Olive, and Asher—wanted a multifunctional backyard addition, they decided to build it themselves. Two Liftoff chairs by Tim Miller, one of Tim’s former students, surround an oil-drum fire pit set in granite dug up on the property. On the deck, the Panamericana chair is by Industry of All Nations.
Moskow Linn Architects of Boston tackled this ground-up renovation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a client who wanted to maximize efficiency. Photo by Eric Roth.
Moskow Linn Architects of Boston tackled this ground-up renovation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a client who wanted to maximize efficiency. Photo by Eric Roth.
The outbuilding serves as a studio, a guest house, and a playroom. A Murphy bed sourced from Craigslist was customized with a birch surround to give it a built-in appearance.
The outbuilding serves as a studio, a guest house, and a playroom. A Murphy bed sourced from Craigslist was customized with a birch surround to give it a built-in appearance.
A found Eero Saarinen Executive chair was restored with help from a local auto body shop.
A found Eero Saarinen Executive chair was restored with help from a local auto body shop.
Though a stylistic break from the white-sided New England farmhouses that dot the forests and pastures of Western Massachusetts, the pool house’s simple, rustic exterior is a modern descendant of the local vernacular. With the area under snow for a quarter of the year, it also prevents Didier from having to join the local Polar Bear Club.
Though a stylistic break from the white-sided New England farmhouses that dot the forests and pastures of Western Massachusetts, the pool house’s simple, rustic exterior is a modern descendant of the local vernacular. With the area under snow for a quarter of the year, it also prevents Didier from having to join the local Polar Bear Club.
To keep the project close to their $10,000 budget, the family looked for bargains whenever possible. The circular window was a misorder they snagged for 90 percent off from a local building supply store. The mahogany siding is a mix of Craigslist purchases and Dumpster finds.
To keep the project close to their $10,000 budget, the family looked for bargains whenever possible. The circular window was a misorder they snagged for 90 percent off from a local building supply store. The mahogany siding is a mix of Craigslist purchases and Dumpster finds.
A cantilevered cabin designed by R D Gentzler blends into the forest, even as it hovers above a 20-foot drop-off. Its south face is almost entirely glass, but a roof canopy limits solar gain. “We sit on the deck all afternoon watching the trees, and the time just flies by,” says resident Maricela Salas.
A cantilevered cabin designed by R D Gentzler blends into the forest, even as it hovers above a 20-foot drop-off. Its south face is almost entirely glass, but a roof canopy limits solar gain. “We sit on the deck all afternoon watching the trees, and the time just flies by,” says resident Maricela Salas.
A matching desk also folds up and away.
A matching desk also folds up and away.
Designed by Boston-based firm ZeroEnergy Design, this family home "consumes approximately 85% less energy than a comparable home built to the current energy code," says Stephanie T Horowitz AIA, Managing Director. "The energy savings are accomplished through a super-insulated building enclosure; airtight construction; efficient heating, cooling and ventilation; and a solar array on the roof." White stucco, shiplapped wood siding, and fiber cement panels adorn the exterior. The landscape architect was Soren deNiord.
Designed by Boston-based firm ZeroEnergy Design, this family home "consumes approximately 85% less energy than a comparable home built to the current energy code," says Stephanie T Horowitz AIA, Managing Director. "The energy savings are accomplished through a super-insulated building enclosure; airtight construction; efficient heating, cooling and ventilation; and a solar array on the roof." White stucco, shiplapped wood siding, and fiber cement panels adorn the exterior. The landscape architect was Soren deNiord.
Brittany Marcoux & Brian McGuire (Swansea, Massachusetts) An old intern of Hollander’s, Brittany, and her husband Brian, renovated the apartment above Brittany’s mom's beauty salon in Swanswea, MA, outside of Providence—one of Hollander’s favorite spaces in the project. “Brittany was really nervous that their place wasn't as cool as everyone else’s,” says Hollander. “But it was amazing: small, but so well designed, with little touches like glitter paint on the kitchen counter and wall drawings that gave it a sense of thoughtfulness.”
Brittany Marcoux & Brian McGuire (Swansea, Massachusetts) An old intern of Hollander’s, Brittany, and her husband Brian, renovated the apartment above Brittany’s mom's beauty salon in Swanswea, MA, outside of Providence—one of Hollander’s favorite spaces in the project. “Brittany was really nervous that their place wasn't as cool as everyone else’s,” says Hollander. “But it was amazing: small, but so well designed, with little touches like glitter paint on the kitchen counter and wall drawings that gave it a sense of thoughtfulness.”
A new entryway was created for the home; it’s situated across from a patio that leads to a new garage. Western red cedar with a clear finish unifies the exterior look of the property.
A new entryway was created for the home; it’s situated across from a patio that leads to a new garage. Western red cedar with a clear finish unifies the exterior look of the property.
A "bridge" houses the bedrooms and spans the main living area and the garage. Photo by Eric Roth.
A "bridge" houses the bedrooms and spans the main living area and the garage. Photo by Eric Roth.
Photo by Eric Roth.
Photo by Eric Roth.
More than 60 percent of the original home was rebuilt, DiRocco said, and one of the main goals was to bring light into the home. Windsor Windows and Doors, clad in bronze on the exterior and fir in the interior, helped accomplish that mission.
More than 60 percent of the original home was rebuilt, DiRocco said, and one of the main goals was to bring light into the home. Windsor Windows and Doors, clad in bronze on the exterior and fir in the interior, helped accomplish that mission.
Photo by Eric Roth.
Photo by Eric Roth.
In the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding-glass doors provide a connection to the outdoors. Photo by Eric Roth.
In the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding-glass doors provide a connection to the outdoors. Photo by Eric Roth.
The house as seen from the back. Photo by Eric Roth.
The house as seen from the back. Photo by Eric Roth.
Photo by Eric Roth.
Photo by Eric Roth.
An outdoor deck gives the family a place to congregate when the weather cooperates. Photo by Eric Roth.
An outdoor deck gives the family a place to congregate when the weather cooperates. Photo by Eric Roth.
Those costs were partially recouped by using knotted pine planks for the exterior.
Those costs were partially recouped by using knotted pine planks for the exterior.
Landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, who has a house nearby, “worked with the nursery guy to do the landscape,” Toshiko Mori says, having two blueberry bushes moved closer in and grading the driveway for a diagonal approach to the main entry. “He loves the site and just took a personal interest—the effect is very subtle.”
Landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, who has a house nearby, “worked with the nursery guy to do the landscape,” Toshiko Mori says, having two blueberry bushes moved closer in and grading the driveway for a diagonal approach to the main entry. “He loves the site and just took a personal interest—the effect is very subtle.”
Design details include mahogany and granite where the deck meets a stone retaining wall.
Design details include mahogany and granite where the deck meets a stone retaining wall.
As the name implies, undermount sinks are attached to the underside of a countertop, where special clips ensure the sink stays in place or the sink is supported from underneath by the base cabinet structure.
As the name implies, undermount sinks are attached to the underside of a countertop, where special clips ensure the sink stays in place or the sink is supported from underneath by the base cabinet structure.
The residents splurged on double-height Marvin Integrity windows.
The residents splurged on double-height Marvin Integrity windows.
If you get a chance, try to enjoy some of the exquisite complimentary toiletries, the Zero Percent Collection by Gilchrest & Soames.
If you get a chance, try to enjoy some of the exquisite complimentary toiletries, the Zero Percent Collection by Gilchrest & Soames.
As part of Porches unique aesthetic, local company Crispina Ffrench Bedspreads was recruited to furnish each of the rooms’ distinctive tonal patchwork linens and bedding. For those looking to recreate any of the Porches looks on their own, room furnishings are available to purchase through a retail list created by the inn.
As part of Porches unique aesthetic, local company Crispina Ffrench Bedspreads was recruited to furnish each of the rooms’ distinctive tonal patchwork linens and bedding. For those looking to recreate any of the Porches looks on their own, room furnishings are available to purchase through a retail list created by the inn.
Connecting suites and floors, a series of Victorian hallways and staircases give the interiors a New Orleans-like feel.
Connecting suites and floors, a series of Victorian hallways and staircases give the interiors a New Orleans-like feel.
This contemporary retreat built on a four-and-a-half-acre plot of land in Martha's Vineyard was designed by Harvard professor and architect, Toshiko Mori. Photos by: Iwan Baan
This contemporary retreat built on a four-and-a-half-acre plot of land in Martha's Vineyard was designed by Harvard professor and architect, Toshiko Mori. Photos by: Iwan Baan
Like many of the decorative items at Porches, lamps are often sourced via eBay and local flea markets. Moon Shine Lamps and Shades Out of Spring Branch, Texas, designed many of the shades.
Like many of the decorative items at Porches, lamps are often sourced via eBay and local flea markets. Moon Shine Lamps and Shades Out of Spring Branch, Texas, designed many of the shades.
For a unique Agatha Christie touch, many rooms come complete with a vault, safely tucked behind a vintage picture or wall hanging.
For a unique Agatha Christie touch, many rooms come complete with a vault, safely tucked behind a vintage picture or wall hanging.
If you can’t make it downstairs, complimentary breakfast can be delivered to your suite inside galvanized metal lunch boxes by Comes L. May Fabricators—an homage to the workers who used to inhabit the property.
If you can’t make it downstairs, complimentary breakfast can be delivered to your suite inside galvanized metal lunch boxes by Comes L. May Fabricators—an homage to the workers who used to inhabit the property.
If you feel like hanging around for a little bit before venturing out, meeting rooms and a business "nook" are located on premises.
If you feel like hanging around for a little bit before venturing out, meeting rooms and a business "nook" are located on premises.
Porches Inn has 26 distinctive guest rooms, each averaging 300 square feet, including 18 regular and three extended-stay suites. Each suite includes a kitchenette and washer/dryer, five suites feature a loft, and eight guest rooms offer private outdoor porches.
Porches Inn has 26 distinctive guest rooms, each averaging 300 square feet, including 18 regular and three extended-stay suites. Each suite includes a kitchenette and washer/dryer, five suites feature a loft, and eight guest rooms offer private outdoor porches.

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