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Louvers, jalousies, frits, awnings, and exterior shutters—learn about some of the best-looking and effective ways to achieve a passive solar design in your home.

“Exposing the raw and unfinished forms of granite beings nature directly the [home], offering a tactile connection often absent in urban environments,” says Suphasidh on the stone elements.

“We’re always throwing events,” says Paul, so the indoor/outdoor style was a great fit for them.

The lofted bedroom is bookended by windows overlooking Ponderosa pines

The open-concept living area, a benefit of the Quonset-design, includes velvet chairs from CB2.

The "bird's nest

A lemon-yellow staircase leads from the first to the third floor.

A few steps up from the kitchen, on a slightly higher level, the living room is characterized by its suggestive wooden ceiling and its large windows with landscape views.

Lycos House's three levels and mezzanines are connected by a geometric green steel staircase custom designed by Atelier Manus.

In keeping with the project's eco ethos, lime plaster and clay paint were used to finish the walls.

The split provides abundant natural light and a subtle pause, as well as a physical and visual connection down to the kitchen.

Studio GSBN carves a slice out of a Sydney home to fill its interior with sunshine.

Tucked into one end of the garage, a potting area is a favorite of Joan, who is an avid gardener and plant lover. The design team used leftover cedar from the ceilings to create the work surface.

Floor plan of Forest Pavilion by Signal Architecture & Research

The guest bedroom, as well as other parts of the house, have a plywood accent wall. “My family's in the plywood business and they have been making plywood for over a hundred years,” says Holly. “This is not your typical Home Depot plywood. This is really clear with a nice veneer on it. So, we were able to do a special run of plywood that had a really beautiful grain to it, and it adds so much richness to our home.” The sconces are from Cedar & Moss.