Twenty years after synthetic decking boards first appeared on the market, wood remains the overwhelming choice for residential decks across the United States. Industry data from the Principia Group shows that wood still accounts for more than 60 percent of all decking sold, despite aggressive marketing by composite and PVC manufacturers. Builders and homeowners continue […]
On the shores of Puget Sound, architect David Hall designed a summer residence that draws inspiration from Native American long houses. Explore the design, structural engineering, and coastal construction strategies that make this contemporary home a model for building on exposed sites.
Converting an underutilized attic into functional living space is one of the most rewarding challenges in residential renovation. When a San Francisco landscape designer approached architect Jonathan Feldman’s firm to transform his dark, dated attic, the goal was clear: create a bright master suite and workspace that maximized every square foot. The result demonstrates how
Learn how to design a home on a steeply sloped forested site using a stepped four-module footprint with soaring cathedral ceilings. Covers structural framing, siting, and material selection for hillside homes.
When it comes to protecting a building from moisture intrusion, the debate over what constitutes an adequate weather barrier has never been more relevant. Drainable housewraps have emerged as a popular middle-ground solution, offering improved performance over traditional smooth-faced wraps without the complexity of full rain-screen assemblies. But the critical question remains: are drainable housewraps
Designing a Home Addition for the View: Architecture That Captures the Outdoors When Doc bought his house in Jamestown, Rhode Island, the upside-down saltbox had solid bones and a generous open-plan upper level, but it lacked one crucial feature: windows aimed at the ocean view. The existing floor plan placed bedrooms downstairs and living spaces
The Adirondack Shingle style represents one of the most compelling marriages in American residential architecture. Born from the blending of two distinct but compatible traditions the Shingle style and the Adirondack camp tradition this hybrid approach produces homes that feel both grand and welcoming, rustic and refined. On a rolling Pennsylvania hillside, a retirement home
The Charm of a Built-In Breakfast Nook A well-designed breakfast nook transforms an ordinary corner of the kitchen into a warm, inviting space where family gatherings begin each morning. The built-in breakfast nook featured in a Martha’s Vineyard home by Hutker Architects exemplifies how simple design choices can create lasting impact. This elegant eating space
Understanding Your Foursquare Bathroom’s Potential The American Foursquare, a popular architectural style from the early 1900s, is beloved for its simple boxy form, generous rooms, and charming period details. But these homes often present a unique challenge when it comes to bathroom design. The original bathrooms in these houses were typically compact, often measuring around
Kitchen remodeling is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake. A well-executed renovation improves daily function, increases property value, and enhances enjoyment of your living space. One inspiring example is a 1959 kitchen in Fort Collins, Colorado, transformed from a dark, cluttered space into an open, inviting cottage-style heart of
