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Collection by RKB Architects

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Radiant floor heating, a high-efficiency boiler, a heat recovery ventilator, and a convection wood stove work to conserve energy.
Radiant floor heating, a high-efficiency boiler, a heat recovery ventilator, and a convection wood stove work to conserve energy.
The frames around the glass were kept minimal so as to put the attention on the outdoors. The polished concrete flooring inside merges easily with the courtyard to encourage a sense of indoor/outdoor flow.
The frames around the glass were kept minimal so as to put the attention on the outdoors. The polished concrete flooring inside merges easily with the courtyard to encourage a sense of indoor/outdoor flow.
The house is oriented to utilize passive heating and cooling strategies. “Deep overhangs and large glazed areas on the south and west were modeled to protect from solar build up in summer and allow for heating gains in winter,” said the architects.
The house is oriented to utilize passive heating and cooling strategies. “Deep overhangs and large glazed areas on the south and west were modeled to protect from solar build up in summer and allow for heating gains in winter,” said the architects.
Large boulders are given pride of place in the central courtyard.
Large boulders are given pride of place in the central courtyard.
The house has two spacious outdoor patios for entertaining.
The house has two spacious outdoor patios for entertaining.
The gabled volumes, angled outward and slightly cantilevered, capture commanding views through giant windows framed in sapele mahogany (below). Marlene recalls the first snowfall at the house.
The gabled volumes, angled outward and slightly cantilevered, capture commanding views through giant windows framed in sapele mahogany (below). Marlene recalls the first snowfall at the house.
Inspired by historic American farmhouses, this modern dwelling is sited at the base of the Rocky Mountain Foothills in West Boulder, Colorado. Designed by Surround Architecture, the 6,800-square-foot property features a unique layout that makes the best use of its one-acre site, while also responding to its long driveway access.
Inspired by historic American farmhouses, this modern dwelling is sited at the base of the Rocky Mountain Foothills in West Boulder, Colorado. Designed by Surround Architecture, the 6,800-square-foot property features a unique layout that makes the best use of its one-acre site, while also responding to its long driveway access.
"Most of the house is on one level, where the connection to the ground is seamless,
"Most of the house is on one level, where the connection to the ground is seamless,
One of the most dramatic examples of site integration, the family room is built around a natural rock outcropping and finished with a slate floor and stone fireplace.
One of the most dramatic examples of site integration, the family room is built around a natural rock outcropping and finished with a slate floor and stone fireplace.
A built-in planter filled with river stone further brings the outdoors into the family room.
A built-in planter filled with river stone further brings the outdoors into the family room.
Materials enhance this natural connection, reflecting the silvery hues of the overcast sky of the Pacific Northwest and tying the building to the forest floor.
Materials enhance this natural connection, reflecting the silvery hues of the overcast sky of the Pacific Northwest and tying the building to the forest floor.
The home is naturally integrated into its bucolic setting.
The home is naturally integrated into its bucolic setting.
A maple tree grows through an ipe deck in this garden that Mary Barensfeld designed for a family in Berkeley, California. A reflecting pool separates it from a granite patio, which is furnished with a Petal dining table by Richard Schultz and chairs by Mario Bellini. The 1,150-square-foot garden serves as an elegant transition from the couple’s 1964 Japanese-style town house to a small, elevated terrace with views of San Francisco Bay. Filigreed Cor-Ten steel fence screens—perforated with a water-jet cutter to cast dappled shadows on a bench and the ground below—and zigzagging board-formed concrete retaining walls are examples.
A maple tree grows through an ipe deck in this garden that Mary Barensfeld designed for a family in Berkeley, California. A reflecting pool separates it from a granite patio, which is furnished with a Petal dining table by Richard Schultz and chairs by Mario Bellini. The 1,150-square-foot garden serves as an elegant transition from the couple’s 1964 Japanese-style town house to a small, elevated terrace with views of San Francisco Bay. Filigreed Cor-Ten steel fence screens—perforated with a water-jet cutter to cast dappled shadows on a bench and the ground below—and zigzagging board-formed concrete retaining walls are examples.
The kitchen, which sits at the center of the house, features recycled glass countertops, Ikea cabinets, and carbonized bamboo floors. “We had Thanksgiving dinner there,” says the daughter. “There’s no sense of the house as small. It feels like a house.”
The kitchen, which sits at the center of the house, features recycled glass countertops, Ikea cabinets, and carbonized bamboo floors. “We had Thanksgiving dinner there,” says the daughter. “There’s no sense of the house as small. It feels like a house.”
Trout Lake | Olson Kundig
Trout Lake | Olson Kundig
Trout Lake | Olson Kundig
Trout Lake | Olson Kundig
From the wall-mounted faucets over the sink to the understated towel bars, the Arris collection makes an elegant statement in this serene bathroom.
From the wall-mounted faucets over the sink to the understated towel bars, the Arris collection makes an elegant statement in this serene bathroom.

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