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Eliminate the pain in house chores with gadgets that will do the heavy lifting for you.
Eliminate the pain in house chores with gadgets that will do the heavy lifting for you.
Shown in Citron, Chilewich's utility mats are just what the kitchen ordered: vibrant, easy-to-clean, made in the USA, and mildew resistant. $75 from chilewich.com.
Shown in Citron, Chilewich's utility mats are just what the kitchen ordered: vibrant, easy-to-clean, made in the USA, and mildew resistant. $75 from chilewich.com.
Utility Mirror Pocket by Visibility for Good Thing, $24 Available in three shapes, these handheld, stainless-steel mirrors are polished to a reflective finish then given a colorful, industrial rubber tool grip.
Utility Mirror Pocket by Visibility for Good Thing, $24 Available in three shapes, these handheld, stainless-steel mirrors are polished to a reflective finish then given a colorful, industrial rubber tool grip.
Utilities, such as the radiators, were recessed from view.
Utilities, such as the radiators, were recessed from view.
Electric Stripe Utility mats by Chilewich ($45) shophorne.com.
Electric Stripe Utility mats by Chilewich ($45) shophorne.com.
Architect Rocio Romero designs ADUs that are conceived as studios, backyard offices, guest cottages, and short-term getaways. She’s sold over 50 prefab units in 17 different states, and recently launched a series of more modestly sized, construct-it-yourself structures dubbed the Camp series. The 456-square-foot Base Camp and 312-square-foot Fish Camp will both be priced in the $20,000 range. At just over 300 square feet, the Fish Camp is the smaller of the two Camp styles, but the prototype illustrates its utility as guesthouse or office.
Architect Rocio Romero designs ADUs that are conceived as studios, backyard offices, guest cottages, and short-term getaways. She’s sold over 50 prefab units in 17 different states, and recently launched a series of more modestly sized, construct-it-yourself structures dubbed the Camp series. The 456-square-foot Base Camp and 312-square-foot Fish Camp will both be priced in the $20,000 range. At just over 300 square feet, the Fish Camp is the smaller of the two Camp styles, but the prototype illustrates its utility as guesthouse or office.
Diana: Utility Box Turned Optical Illusion A bit of public art for your Friday viewing pleasure: Muralist Mona Caron painted a utility box at the intersection of Church and Duboce in San Francisco to camouflage into its surroundings.
Diana: Utility Box Turned Optical Illusion A bit of public art for your Friday viewing pleasure: Muralist Mona Caron painted a utility box at the intersection of Church and Duboce in San Francisco to camouflage into its surroundings.
BDIM’s Iowa Utilities Board Office of Consumer Advocate Office Building in Des Moines. Photo via Baker Group
BDIM’s Iowa Utilities Board Office of Consumer Advocate Office Building in Des Moines. Photo via Baker Group
Utility equipment and storage is hidden in the hexagonal "systems ring" below the living space modules.
Utility equipment and storage is hidden in the hexagonal "systems ring" below the living space modules.
Iowa Utilities Board Office of Consumer Advocate Office Building; Des Moines, Iowa BNIM The two main challenges at this site were prairie restoration and water management. The building is located on a former landfill constantly damaged by flooding and storms. Enriching the landscape with native plants helped purify the water and eliminate the need for irrigation. To insulate the building from Iowa’s extreme temperatures, BNIM used Thermomass precast concrete to create a protective envelope.
Iowa Utilities Board Office of Consumer Advocate Office Building; Des Moines, Iowa BNIM The two main challenges at this site were prairie restoration and water management. The building is located on a former landfill constantly damaged by flooding and storms. Enriching the landscape with native plants helped purify the water and eliminate the need for irrigation. To insulate the building from Iowa’s extreme temperatures, BNIM used Thermomass precast concrete to create a protective envelope.
The steel structure is suspended two feet above the roof of the existing bungalow, supported by four steel columns, one of which screens utility lines running from the Perch to the house below.
The steel structure is suspended two feet above the roof of the existing bungalow, supported by four steel columns, one of which screens utility lines running from the Perch to the house below.
30E Design transformed a hallway in a Boston brownstone from a “dumping ground for all the plumbing and utilities with an existing metal ductwork laundry chute” into a modern space that houses the laundry, furnace, and boiler.
30E Design transformed a hallway in a Boston brownstone from a “dumping ground for all the plumbing and utilities with an existing metal ductwork laundry chute” into a modern space that houses the laundry, furnace, and boiler.
SysHaus completed their first project—a 2,217-square-foot, single-story home in São Paulo—in collaboration with local architecture studio Arthur Casas Design, who was responsible for the furniture selection, utility systems, finishes, and interior accessories.
SysHaus completed their first project—a 2,217-square-foot, single-story home in São Paulo—in collaboration with local architecture studio Arthur Casas Design, who was responsible for the furniture selection, utility systems, finishes, and interior accessories.
The compound was built on one of the Frio Cañon homesites along the Frio River—a ranch that’s been divided up into lots and developed with utilities. So while it’s rural, it also avoids some of the typical headaches of a remote location.
The compound was built on one of the Frio Cañon homesites along the Frio River—a ranch that’s been divided up into lots and developed with utilities. So while it’s rural, it also avoids some of the typical headaches of a remote location.
The utility sink and moveable countertop were purchased second-hand. Throughout the interiors, the framing was left exposed. Fire-resistant mineral wool insulation was applied to the exterior, then clad with Alaskan Yellow Cedar boards finished in a shou sugi ban treatment.
The utility sink and moveable countertop were purchased second-hand. Throughout the interiors, the framing was left exposed. Fire-resistant mineral wool insulation was applied to the exterior, then clad with Alaskan Yellow Cedar boards finished in a shou sugi ban treatment.
Utility Room
Utility Room
Within the addition are a bathroom, utility room, and storage space.
Within the addition are a bathroom, utility room, and storage space.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
A utility core in the entry hall is also clad in wood for seamless integration.
A utility core in the entry hall is also clad in wood for seamless integration.
The sleek gray volume next to the kitchen houses utilities and a bathroom.
The sleek gray volume next to the kitchen houses utilities and a bathroom.
The house has two modules: a living space on the left and a utilities, laundry, and outdoor kitchen on the right.
The house has two modules: a living space on the left and a utilities, laundry, and outdoor kitchen on the right.
A huge utility room could do double-duty as a craft room.
A huge utility room could do double-duty as a craft room.
The new layout maximizes the utility of the home's 4,100 square feet.
The new layout maximizes the utility of the home's 4,100 square feet.
The kitchen’s original galley layout was retained, and the walls and utilities were kept in place.
The kitchen’s original galley layout was retained, and the walls and utilities were kept in place.
The exterior materials are carried inside to a slatted entryway that conceals a utility unit and closet.
The exterior materials are carried inside to a slatted entryway that conceals a utility unit and closet.
The existing cottage has been on the site for “a long time” with various extensions and refurbishments taking place ad hoc between the 1930s and 1990s, including the garage and utility room at the rear that has been replaced by the newest extension. Like many typical cottages in the area, the cottage is built from local stone with timber shutter windows.
The existing cottage has been on the site for “a long time” with various extensions and refurbishments taking place ad hoc between the 1930s and 1990s, including the garage and utility room at the rear that has been replaced by the newest extension. Like many typical cottages in the area, the cottage is built from local stone with timber shutter windows.
A view of the terra-cotta-colored utility corridor. The copper cabinet pulls are from Auhaus.
A view of the terra-cotta-colored utility corridor. The copper cabinet pulls are from Auhaus.
The front of A Mews House was allowed a 10-foot setback, similar to existing homes on the street. A utility pole proved too expensive to relocate—it would have cost $18,000 to do so. “That pole dictated the way a car would access the property, thereby dictating the car pad location and eventually heavily influencing the location of circulation in the house,” says architect Alex Wu.
The front of A Mews House was allowed a 10-foot setback, similar to existing homes on the street. A utility pole proved too expensive to relocate—it would have cost $18,000 to do so. “That pole dictated the way a car would access the property, thereby dictating the car pad location and eventually heavily influencing the location of circulation in the house,” says architect Alex Wu.
From the utility room, a gold-tinted mirror reflects a distorted view of the space, offering moments of surprise and delight.
From the utility room, a gold-tinted mirror reflects a distorted view of the space, offering moments of surprise and delight.
The three townhomes were craned onto the foundation over two days, joined together at the seams, and then finished with siding and utility connections.
The three townhomes were craned onto the foundation over two days, joined together at the seams, and then finished with siding and utility connections.
The utility, air handler, as well as the washer and dryer units are neatly stored away in the back of the home.
The utility, air handler, as well as the washer and dryer units are neatly stored away in the back of the home.
Whalepooner PLYprint from The Utility Collective and Hub Strategy, $85.00.
Whalepooner PLYprint from The Utility Collective and Hub Strategy, $85.00.

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