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Flooding is a constant threat in subtropical New South Wales, so Casey Johnston (pictured, with sons Raph and Ozzy) and husband Martin asked architect Justin Twohill to design a backyard house that could weather a downpour with minimal cleanup.

The new addition is spanned by a sliding glass door to the kitchen, bringing in much more natural light and creating easy flow between inside and out. The owners especially appreciate how the new deck is at grade with the exterior door for a seamless transition, making the kitchen feel “a part of the garden,” says the homeowner.

Before: A previous remodel had already reshaped the rear of the home.

Floor Plan of Sky Ranch House by Rain City Architecture

"They desperately needed more space for their soon-to-be growing family,

In seaside Tuscany, Italian architecture firm FABBRICANOVE realized a villa that embraces modern lines and the mild climate.

Beyond the large pedestrian gate, “which is really the home’s front door,” says Gottschalk, “the house begins to reveal its strong indoor and outdoor relationship. Blurring the boundary between the two is a key design element.”

The 1000-square-foot ADU is two levels with a footprint that allows the owners to retain plenty of outdoor space for their dogs to play. The façade “is a rain screen system, so the heat gain on the Brazilian hardwood is minimized by being physically separated by an air gap between it and the membrane behind it,” said Knight. “So, the wood heats up when sun hits it and this is not directly translated into the wall on the interior; it is instead buffered by this air gap.” The large doors and second-story skylights then work together to pull a nice breeze through the house.

The 1,000-square-foot ADU is two levels with a footprint that allows the owners to retain plenty of outdoor space for their dogs to play. The facade “is a rain screen system, so the heat gain on the Brazilian hardwood is minimized by being physically separated by an air gap between it and the membrane behind it,” says Knight. “So, the wood heats up when sun hits it, and this is not directly translated into the wall on the interior; it is instead buffered by this air gap.” The large doors and second-story skylights then work together to pull a nice breeze through the house.

The bedroom maintains the simple palette with windows fabricated by the homeowner and Brazilian walnut flooring.

The gate, opening onto the entry courtyard, serves as the pavilion's front door.

Unlike other new houses in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston, the Gottschalks embraced a simple, functional pavilion.

The entryway into the home features brick steps, surrounded by lush greenery.

The cedar-clad recessed entryway of Hyde Park House, with a generous front deck, warmly welcomes visitors.

The mitered glass window on the southwest corner of the new building is a nod to the entryway on the southwest corner of the existing building.

The master bathroom features a Vox sink by Kohler outfitted with an Essence faucet by Grohe. Marimekko towels hang from the walls.

The downstairs bathroom was also dramatically redone for a total of $18,121.