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The three-bedroom home is connected to a dock house, garage, and vegetable garden by a network of wood walkways and decks.
The three-bedroom home is connected to a dock house, garage, and vegetable garden by a network of wood walkways and decks.
The steel canopy protects the residents from Seattle’s notoriously rainy weather as they walk from the entry gate to the front door.
The steel canopy protects the residents from Seattle’s notoriously rainy weather as they walk from the entry gate to the front door.
"Pulling the buildings apart allows what is not a big house to feel really big," says architect Jonathan Feldman of the sustainable retirement home he built for a couple in California. "Because of the ways it opens up, it feels much more expansive than it really is."
"Pulling the buildings apart allows what is not a big house to feel really big," says architect Jonathan Feldman of the sustainable retirement home he built for a couple in California. "Because of the ways it opens up, it feels much more expansive than it really is."
“The unique site-plan includes the main house, a two-story dog run, and a guest cabin,” Flato says. “All are seamlessly stitched together by a grand boardwalk, making an arrival by boat or by car an equally engaging experience.” Vertical grain Western red cedar acts as the exterior siding.
“The unique site-plan includes the main house, a two-story dog run, and a guest cabin,” Flato says. “All are seamlessly stitched together by a grand boardwalk, making an arrival by boat or by car an equally engaging experience.” Vertical grain Western red cedar acts as the exterior siding.
This open-ended box, lined in mirrored glass, performs like a kaleidoscope, amplifying the mature Melia tree’s presence within the dining room.
This open-ended box, lined in mirrored glass, performs like a kaleidoscope, amplifying the mature Melia tree’s presence within the dining room.
Resident Misha Bukowski plays with young Zachary in the walkway between the renovated buildings. The new units are clad in stained local cedar.
Resident Misha Bukowski plays with young Zachary in the walkway between the renovated buildings. The new units are clad in stained local cedar.
The glass walkway.
The glass walkway.
The trio walks down to the beach via the strand.
The trio walks down to the beach via the strand.
A glass-fronted walkway leads from the main house to the office/play area.
A glass-fronted walkway leads from the main house to the office/play area.
MODERN TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSE IN MISSOURI Thanks to Matthew Hufft, their envelope-pushing architect and longtime friend, Hannah and Paul Catlett have a new home in southwestern Missouri that’s a fresh, unconventional take on the traditional farmhouse. The homeowners call the house Porch House after it's majestic wraparound porch. photos by: Joe Pugliese
MODERN TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSE IN MISSOURI Thanks to Matthew Hufft, their envelope-pushing architect and longtime friend, Hannah and Paul Catlett have a new home in southwestern Missouri that’s a fresh, unconventional take on the traditional farmhouse. The homeowners call the house Porch House after it's majestic wraparound porch. photos by: Joe Pugliese
One side of the building contains two simple bedrooms and a bathroom. The other, larger side houses the open-plan living area, kitchen, covered deck with fireplace, and additional bedroom. The deck-hallway that runs the length of the building is partially covered, but the decking boards and inset fiberglass door panels allow air and light to penetrate. The architects wanted to suggest that moving between the different living spaces involved a trip through nature, as it does in traditional camping.
One side of the building contains two simple bedrooms and a bathroom. The other, larger side houses the open-plan living area, kitchen, covered deck with fireplace, and additional bedroom. The deck-hallway that runs the length of the building is partially covered, but the decking boards and inset fiberglass door panels allow air and light to penetrate. The architects wanted to suggest that moving between the different living spaces involved a trip through nature, as it does in traditional camping.
Landscape architect Charles M. McCulloch designed pathways of locally sourced decomposed granite that lead to accessible, raised planting beds, a request from the Mahers, who are avid gardeners.
Landscape architect Charles M. McCulloch designed pathways of locally sourced decomposed granite that lead to accessible, raised planting beds, a request from the Mahers, who are avid gardeners.
The bamboo garden, home to Oscar the tortoise, abuts the walkway leading to the central courtyard.
The bamboo garden, home to Oscar the tortoise, abuts the walkway leading to the central courtyard.
The sleeping cubbies lie beneath the walkway connecting front and back units. Cedar decking and soffit add warmth and texture to the transitional space.
The sleeping cubbies lie beneath the walkway connecting front and back units. Cedar decking and soffit add warmth and texture to the transitional space.
A slatted walkway leads into the new library, which the Gimons have outfitted with a Topissimo rug by Nani Marquina, Grove Garden wallpaper from Osborne & Little’s Tara collection, and a pink Chroma Sassy sliding wall panel by 3form.
A slatted walkway leads into the new library, which the Gimons have outfitted with a Topissimo rug by Nani Marquina, Grove Garden wallpaper from Osborne & Little’s Tara collection, and a pink Chroma Sassy sliding wall panel by 3form.
The Opdahl House, designed by Edward Killingsworth for Richard and Joyce Opdahl, is located on the island of Naples, in Long Beach, California, and the design responds to the constraints imposed by the compact site. Photo by: Catherine Ledner
The Opdahl House, designed by Edward Killingsworth for Richard and Joyce Opdahl, is located on the island of Naples, in Long Beach, California, and the design responds to the constraints imposed by the compact site. Photo by: Catherine Ledner
Bob sits in the entry courtyard with his dog, Goya.
Bob sits in the entry courtyard with his dog, Goya.
Large windows make the forest a constant presence indoors. A wood walkway runs along the perimeter of the house.
Large windows make the forest a constant presence indoors. A wood walkway runs along the perimeter of the house.
The stacked containers and inner courtyard, which wrap around a cedar tree, allow for plenty of natural sunlight, which helps illuminate the client's work on display in the main gallery space.
The stacked containers and inner courtyard, which wrap around a cedar tree, allow for plenty of natural sunlight, which helps illuminate the client's work on display in the main gallery space.
When a nearby road washed out in a flood, Chris and Tanya hauled the broken bits of asphalt to their property and made a walkway leading to the entrance.
When a nearby road washed out in a flood, Chris and Tanya hauled the broken bits of asphalt to their property and made a walkway leading to the entrance.
Colorful accents puncture the interior.
Colorful accents puncture the interior.
Spied on the Archiculture blog: a centuries-old cobbled wall appears to enjoy a little extra support by way of Lego. (Notice the toys filling various nooks and crannies, too.)
Spied on the Archiculture blog: a centuries-old cobbled wall appears to enjoy a little extra support by way of Lego. (Notice the toys filling various nooks and crannies, too.)
The small pool at the top of the landing provides the family with a place to cool off.
The small pool at the top of the landing provides the family with a place to cool off.
Beyond the large, pivoting wooden gate lies the front entry.
Beyond the large, pivoting wooden gate lies the front entry.
Southwest: Steve Martino Phoenix-based landscape architect Steve Martino has unlocked the secret to successful gardening in dry desert environs: “The backbone of my career has been celebrating the desert rather than making apologies for it,” he says. His drought-tolerant designs relate to the southwestern climate and feature native plants—like the whale’s tongue agave, compass barrel cactus, and ocotillo in front of a Scottsdale midcentury house.
Southwest: Steve Martino Phoenix-based landscape architect Steve Martino has unlocked the secret to successful gardening in dry desert environs: “The backbone of my career has been celebrating the desert rather than making apologies for it,” he says. His drought-tolerant designs relate to the southwestern climate and feature native plants—like the whale’s tongue agave, compass barrel cactus, and ocotillo in front of a Scottsdale midcentury house.
Trejos found that working with the containers was like playing with puzzle pieces. By arranging them in stacks of two and sliding the top containers, she created an interior courtyard and gallery space as well as terraces on the upper level. "Working with containers for the first time was a big challenge," she says, "but from the first draft on, it was an awesome experience. They already create space, so you just need to play with the puzzle pieces."
Trejos found that working with the containers was like playing with puzzle pieces. By arranging them in stacks of two and sliding the top containers, she created an interior courtyard and gallery space as well as terraces on the upper level. "Working with containers for the first time was a big challenge," she says, "but from the first draft on, it was an awesome experience. They already create space, so you just need to play with the puzzle pieces."
In front, a stone walkway leads a covered entrance.
In front, a stone walkway leads a covered entrance.
The most sustainable element of all is the Lais’ intention to make their first home their last home as well. “Some people have this mentality of getting a starter house, then upgrading from there,” David says. “We just wanted to find a place to live in and then stay there forever.” Eventually they imagine passing the home down to their children.
The most sustainable element of all is the Lais’ intention to make their first home their last home as well. “Some people have this mentality of getting a starter house, then upgrading from there,” David says. “We just wanted to find a place to live in and then stay there forever.” Eventually they imagine passing the home down to their children.
A common space features Hee Welling’s About a Chair 12 for Hay and a Stick round table by Valsecchi 1918.
A common space features Hee Welling’s About a Chair 12 for Hay and a Stick round table by Valsecchi 1918.
In consultation with the clients, Alterstudio opted to clad the house in local cypress rather than imported, FSC-certified ipe.
In consultation with the clients, Alterstudio opted to clad the house in local cypress rather than imported, FSC-certified ipe.
The exterior view of the Douglas House stepped walkway that extends over the surrounding trees.
The exterior view of the Douglas House stepped walkway that extends over the surrounding trees.
Orpilla pecks, Apolo pedals.
Orpilla pecks, Apolo pedals.
The couple followed permaculture principles for their garden, complete with a robust compost system. You’ll also find an orchard, native prairie grasses, and a winter pond on the land.
The couple followed permaculture principles for their garden, complete with a robust compost system. You’ll also find an orchard, native prairie grasses, and a winter pond on the land.
Though hard to spot, another gap separates the new attic catwalk—which runs between the guest and master bedrooms—from the old walls. As with the living room ceiling, says Shively, "I wanted the new parts to float and have a sense of movement in the space." A steel structure underneath the walkway does, however, connect to the walls. The white oak floors also help the new attic level blend with the rest of the house.
Though hard to spot, another gap separates the new attic catwalk—which runs between the guest and master bedrooms—from the old walls. As with the living room ceiling, says Shively, "I wanted the new parts to float and have a sense of movement in the space." A steel structure underneath the walkway does, however, connect to the walls. The white oak floors also help the new attic level blend with the rest of the house.
A pathway winds between a pair of Japanese maples and a myrtle tree that dates to the home’s original construction. The floor-to-ceiling windows and sliders are by Fleetwood.
A pathway winds between a pair of Japanese maples and a myrtle tree that dates to the home’s original construction. The floor-to-ceiling windows and sliders are by Fleetwood.

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