SubscribeSign In
“A building can have far greater impact than the space it stands in.”—William Carpenter, architect and resident
“A building can have far greater impact than the space it stands in.”—William Carpenter, architect and resident
The Jorgensen's Menlo Park home is a model of green design with features that are smart for everyone to consider. "Every project is different, but there are some universal things that will apply from project to project," says Feldman about designing a green home. "The first—and most obvious thing—is to always try to build less, to have a smaller house and be smart about how the rooms are designed and oriented so that you can get by with less space. Smart design will lead to a smaller building, but it won't feel smaller."
The Jorgensen's Menlo Park home is a model of green design with features that are smart for everyone to consider. "Every project is different, but there are some universal things that will apply from project to project," says Feldman about designing a green home. "The first—and most obvious thing—is to always try to build less, to have a smaller house and be smart about how the rooms are designed and oriented so that you can get by with less space. Smart design will lead to a smaller building, but it won't feel smaller."
New zoning allowed for a zero-lot-line structure, but required a public storefront, which Carpenter uses as an art gallery.
New zoning allowed for a zero-lot-line structure, but required a public storefront, which Carpenter uses as an art gallery.
Rian and Melissa Jorgensen's 2 Bar House in Menlo Park boasts all the usual green design suspects: energy-efficient lighting, good insulation, renewable material finishes, radiant heat, and the roof is pre-wired for future PV panels. Executed by Feldman Architecture, the house requires only natural lighting during the day which keeps energy costs way down. Still, the most stunning aspect of the green design is the living roof planted with succulents, aloe, viviums, and ice plants. "I'm absolutely glad that we did it," says Melissa. "It turned out so well and I really enjoy sitting up there and taking advantage of it as much as I can. It's very peaceful." Read more about this total remodel here.
Rian and Melissa Jorgensen's 2 Bar House in Menlo Park boasts all the usual green design suspects: energy-efficient lighting, good insulation, renewable material finishes, radiant heat, and the roof is pre-wired for future PV panels. Executed by Feldman Architecture, the house requires only natural lighting during the day which keeps energy costs way down. Still, the most stunning aspect of the green design is the living roof planted with succulents, aloe, viviums, and ice plants. "I'm absolutely glad that we did it," says Melissa. "It turned out so well and I really enjoy sitting up there and taking advantage of it as much as I can. It's very peaceful." Read more about this total remodel here.
The countertops in the kitchen are a mix of quartz surfaces and custom and salvaged stainless steel. "We use the kitchen all of the time, it turned out really nice," says Melissa. "It's very open, certainly one of the central focuses of the house, and is fun for entertaining."
The countertops in the kitchen are a mix of quartz surfaces and custom and salvaged stainless steel. "We use the kitchen all of the time, it turned out really nice," says Melissa. "It's very open, certainly one of the central focuses of the house, and is fun for entertaining."
The living room, dining room and kitchen are in one open space. The flooring is bamboo. The cabinetry is a mix of bamboo, walnut, and maple, and was fabricated by City Cabinetmakers out of San Francisco.
The living room, dining room and kitchen are in one open space. The flooring is bamboo. The cabinetry is a mix of bamboo, walnut, and maple, and was fabricated by City Cabinetmakers out of San Francisco.
Designed by Benjamin Cherner, the Cherner Lounge Arm Chair is defined by its welcoming, curved shape that recalls the original 1958 Cherner chair design by Benjamin’s father, Norman. The molded plywood shell, solid bentwood arm, and laminated wood base flow fluidly into one another, giving the chair an organic sensibility. This chair is a once-in-a-lifetime gift for your favorite fan of midcentury design.
Designed by Benjamin Cherner, the Cherner Lounge Arm Chair is defined by its welcoming, curved shape that recalls the original 1958 Cherner chair design by Benjamin’s father, Norman. The molded plywood shell, solid bentwood arm, and laminated wood base flow fluidly into one another, giving the chair an organic sensibility. This chair is a once-in-a-lifetime gift for your favorite fan of midcentury design.
Designed by Pablo Pardo, the Brazo LED Table Lamp is an innovative light with a tremendous amount of range and versatility. The Spanish word for “arm,” Brazo is a flexible lamp that has 360-degree adjustability and a 90-degree range of tilt. The Brazo is the first LED task light to use calibrated focus control, which provides a variable beam as well as focused, direct light.
Designed by Pablo Pardo, the Brazo LED Table Lamp is an innovative light with a tremendous amount of range and versatility. The Spanish word for “arm,” Brazo is a flexible lamp that has 360-degree adjustability and a 90-degree range of tilt. The Brazo is the first LED task light to use calibrated focus control, which provides a variable beam as well as focused, direct light.
Van Everbroeck’s home office occupies the end of one arm of the building.
Van Everbroeck’s home office occupies the end of one arm of the building.
A loveseat and two Neo arm chairs by Niels Bendtsen in the living room offer Blauvelt a light-filled view to the courtyard beyond.
A loveseat and two Neo arm chairs by Niels Bendtsen in the living room offer Blauvelt a light-filled view to the courtyard beyond.
Shelter No. 2, Broisson Architects, 2008 This prefab made mostly of recycled materials is modest, but not too modest for a spiral staircase. Three levels culminate in a large skylight, which filters natural light all the way down to the ground floor's hydroponic garden.
Shelter No. 2, Broisson Architects, 2008 This prefab made mostly of recycled materials is modest, but not too modest for a spiral staircase. Three levels culminate in a large skylight, which filters natural light all the way down to the ground floor's hydroponic garden.
It Will Get Loud: A Small Speaker That's Big on Sound Home audio companies are managing to make speakers smaller, more portable, and more wallet-friendly while keeping sound quality as robust as their larger (and pricier) brethren. Soundfreaq's co-founder and creative director Matthew Paprocki will demo and deconstruct the award-winning Sound Stack and demo Sound Platform 2 to let you in on the technology behind making big sound come from a tiny package. See this Saturday, June 22, at 12:30 p.m. on the Demonstration Stage.
It Will Get Loud: A Small Speaker That's Big on Sound Home audio companies are managing to make speakers smaller, more portable, and more wallet-friendly while keeping sound quality as robust as their larger (and pricier) brethren. Soundfreaq's co-founder and creative director Matthew Paprocki will demo and deconstruct the award-winning Sound Stack and demo Sound Platform 2 to let you in on the technology behind making big sound come from a tiny package. See this Saturday, June 22, at 12:30 p.m. on the Demonstration Stage.
The couple asked Bryan Richards of Real Natives Landscape Design to incorporate drought-tolerant plants into the landscaping. Surrounding a table from CB2 are chairs from Design Within Reach.
The couple asked Bryan Richards of Real Natives Landscape Design to incorporate drought-tolerant plants into the landscaping. Surrounding a table from CB2 are chairs from Design Within Reach.
The interior is furnished with Lubi Daybeds from CB2, which Howell and Porter designed to include hidden cubbies behind and beneath the cushions.
The interior is furnished with Lubi Daybeds from CB2, which Howell and Porter designed to include hidden cubbies behind and beneath the cushions.
The side view of the Cherner Lounge Arm Chair and Ottoman showcases the sinuous curvature of the molded plywood. This design recalls the look of the original chair designed by Norman Cherner in 1958.
The side view of the Cherner Lounge Arm Chair and Ottoman showcases the sinuous curvature of the molded plywood. This design recalls the look of the original chair designed by Norman Cherner in 1958.
A closer look at the iconic Balzac Lounge Chair and Ottoman, SCP’s best-selling product.
A closer look at the iconic Balzac Lounge Chair and Ottoman, SCP’s best-selling product.
Bend designed its Farmhouse Lounger to be as sturdy as a piece of farm machinery, but easy to relax in after a long day. The lounge chair blends traditional elements—the backrest is inspired by old Amish barn architecture—along with modern geometric shapes. The lounge chair is crafted in galvanized iron that is hot-dipped and powder-coated, which makes the chair an excellent seating option for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Bend designed its Farmhouse Lounger to be as sturdy as a piece of farm machinery, but easy to relax in after a long day. The lounge chair blends traditional elements—the backrest is inspired by old Amish barn architecture—along with modern geometric shapes. The lounge chair is crafted in galvanized iron that is hot-dipped and powder-coated, which makes the chair an excellent seating option for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Connecticut. Benjamin Cherner reproduces the iconic designs of his father, Norman, for the Cherner Chair Company, based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The furniture, like this lounge arm chair, sports organic shapes made in molded plywood with a natural walnut finish.
Connecticut. Benjamin Cherner reproduces the iconic designs of his father, Norman, for the Cherner Chair Company, based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The furniture, like this lounge arm chair, sports organic shapes made in molded plywood with a natural walnut finish.
After the rPET mixture is heated and transformed via injection molding into a chair, a robotic arm removes it from the specially designed mold.
After the rPET mixture is heated and transformed via injection molding into a chair, a robotic arm removes it from the specially designed mold.
For privacy and quiet, the home's three bedrooms are situated the furthest from the street. Each faces its own courtyard.
For privacy and quiet, the home's three bedrooms are situated the furthest from the street. Each faces its own courtyard.
The bathroom features an Astra Walker A69.10.V2.A shower arm.
The bathroom features an Astra Walker A69.10.V2.A shower arm.
Going Vintage The shape is what really matters here. The fabric, in 99 percent of cases, will be changed, and the insides will be replaced with fresh down and foam. If the shape is good, a little work and the sofa is like new. Narrow Arm sofa by Calvin Klein Curator Collection, $4,400.
Going Vintage The shape is what really matters here. The fabric, in 99 percent of cases, will be changed, and the insides will be replaced with fresh down and foam. If the shape is good, a little work and the sofa is like new. Narrow Arm sofa by Calvin Klein Curator Collection, $4,400.
“Technical products like hi-fi fit more easily into all kinds of surroundings than those old furniture look-alike ones.”—Dieter Rams, designer
“Technical products like hi-fi fit more easily into all kinds of surroundings than those old furniture look-alike ones.”—Dieter Rams, designer
Onefortythree's brass swing arm wall lamp has been lightly buffed to a dull shine. It's 30 inches long and is powered by a cloth-twisted cord with on-off switch. ($165)
Onefortythree's brass swing arm wall lamp has been lightly buffed to a dull shine. It's 30 inches long and is powered by a cloth-twisted cord with on-off switch. ($165)
The term “Internet of Things” was first documented by British visionary Kevin Ashton in 1999. The first Internet appliance was a Coke machine at Carnegie Melon University in the early 1980s. The programmers could connect to the machine over the Internet, check the status of the machine and determine whether or not there would be a cold drink awaiting them, should they decide to make the trip down to the machine.
The term “Internet of Things” was first documented by British visionary Kevin Ashton in 1999. The first Internet appliance was a Coke machine at Carnegie Melon University in the early 1980s. The programmers could connect to the machine over the Internet, check the status of the machine and determine whether or not there would be a cold drink awaiting them, should they decide to make the trip down to the machine.
2-Door Cupboard in scrapwood
2-Door Cupboard in scrapwood
The courtyards offer a peaceful respite from the city. "[The home] provides an environment for its inhabitants that is experiential," says Teschendorrf.
The courtyards offer a peaceful respite from the city. "[The home] provides an environment for its inhabitants that is experiential," says Teschendorrf.
2-Door Cupboard in scrapwood
2-Door Cupboard in scrapwood
A robotic arm paints the hanging chairs for optimum coverage.
A robotic arm paints the hanging chairs for optimum coverage.
Endless possibilities!
Endless possibilities!
A toy that promotes analog learning and creativity in a digital world without technology? Meet the anaPad 2, $40-70—a magnetic white board housed inside a white acrylic frame with a wooden back and 3D geometric magnetic apps. Perfect for what kids do best—doodling, endlessly arranging things around, and game playing.
A toy that promotes analog learning and creativity in a digital world without technology? Meet the anaPad 2, $40-70—a magnetic white board housed inside a white acrylic frame with a wooden back and 3D geometric magnetic apps. Perfect for what kids do best—doodling, endlessly arranging things around, and game playing.
The studio shelters the residence's entrance and a wood deck from the street.
The studio shelters the residence's entrance and a wood deck from the street.
The front of the Fisheye 2 SHIAWASE.
The front of the Fisheye 2 SHIAWASE.
See Arch removed a wall to create a more spacious kitchen with a stronger visual connection to the dining area. The updated kitchen is outfitted with quartz countertops and Viking, Fisher Paykel, and Asko appliances.
See Arch removed a wall to create a more spacious kitchen with a stronger visual connection to the dining area. The updated kitchen is outfitted with quartz countertops and Viking, Fisher Paykel, and Asko appliances.
"In some ways the strongest attributes of the house are probably the outside spaces,” says Court. The original cedar deck was replaced with Kebony decking that wraps around a century-old cherry tree. A pair of Andy rockers from Mamagreen face an ottoman by Kenneth Cobonpue. The accordion doors are a NanaWall SL-60 system that allows the main room of the guesthouse to open completely to the deck.
"In some ways the strongest attributes of the house are probably the outside spaces,” says Court. The original cedar deck was replaced with Kebony decking that wraps around a century-old cherry tree. A pair of Andy rockers from Mamagreen face an ottoman by Kenneth Cobonpue. The accordion doors are a NanaWall SL-60 system that allows the main room of the guesthouse to open completely to the deck.
Koto’s charred-timber workspace is an exercise in wabi-sabi design that embraces imperfection amid the natural world. The carbon-neutral structure is built from natural materials, and it can operate both on- and off-grid.
Koto’s charred-timber workspace is an exercise in wabi-sabi design that embraces imperfection amid the natural world. The carbon-neutral structure is built from natural materials, and it can operate both on- and off-grid.

4,105 more photos