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The architects add, "The strategically positioned windows capture solar gain in concert with the thermal mass of the concrete floor slabs. The operable skylights release heat and circulate cool, fresh air through the lower openings." The windows are from Milgard.

SOMA Residence floor plan

Teague plays in his Hiya crib from Spot on Square.

From a classic IKEA number to a wood table from Sossego, there’s a hardworking desk to suit every style and budget.

Builders pay a premium for wood produced using sustainable forestry practices.

The weeHouse exteriors are clad in corrugated Cor-Ten, but with a custom pattern of folds to create an organic randomness. The foundations were designed with a shallow recess around the top to make the modules look like they’re hovering. After they bought the property in early 2014, the Siegels camped there for two summers while they saved up money and planned a permanent structure. In his research, BJ came across this design, a customizable prefab house by Alchemy Architects. "Of all the things that I found, I was drawn to that one because it was absolutely the simplest and cleanest," he says.

The architect and owners were in sync on every aspect of the design, including the desire for shou sugi ban siding. “I had been interested in shou sugi ban for a long time,” Herrmann says. “These Japanese cypress boards have been charred, wire-brushed, stained, and oiled. We did a lot of testing to come up with the right dark grey color; it changes in the light.”

Black-tinted glass provides privacy while allowing natural light to seep inside.

The firm is currently focusing on fulfilling orders for the UK market, and they plan to expand to the global market in the future. Four to six weeks of lead time are estimated for UK orders, however processing and shipping may be delayed due to the pandemic, note the architects.

Economical and easy to install, small hexagonal tiles are a classic option for a backsplash. Here, a range of light blues and whites echoes both the off-white cabinetry and countertops and the blues of the nearby beaches in this Florida kitchen.

In the kitchen, the designers also considered lighting design with cabinet lighting both under and above the cabinets. The backsplash tile is by Fireclay Tile. The hood range is custom wrapped in blackened steel by Joe Chambers.

In this kitchen with matte black cabinets, elegant Perini Monroe ceramic tiles line the kitchen backsplash.

A backsplash laid out in a herringbone pattern adds a subtle layer of texture while pendant lighting adds depth. The grout is a light gray color, while the tile itself is white—together creating a distinct backsplash from the black countertop and dark gray cabinetry.