House Remodel Part 3...

Elegant simplicity in the kitchen By: Tessa Smith, lead designer Understated fixtures lend coziness to high ceilings As a sustainability consultant (LEED AP, Certified Passive House Consultant, pending) I have a long standing affair with mother earth, a deep-seated passion for deep green design and a constant nagging concern about energy performance.  Although the clients goals on this project were much more about finish than energy, we made every effort with every part of the project we touched to increase its performance.  Where we opened walls and replaced windows and...

House Remodel Part 2...

By: Tessa Smith, lead designer Before remodel, old roof line from streetside Although personally I very much liked the modern aesthetic of the original flat roof (a bit of a mid-century modern buff myself) Mr. Demich had been in an epic battle with it for as long as he lived there, constantly leaking and failing under wind conditions.  Not to mention not a bit of insulation in it, resulting in high energy consumption and cost.  Also, although they said this in different terms, the Demich’s longed for a more archetypal profile to their home (a form more recognizably a...

House Remodel Part 1...

By: Tessa Smith lead designer Free hanging uppers around range allow for sense of openess I met the Demich’s at a tour of homes several years ago, as we stood in my project they described wanting a similar sensation of light and balance in their own home, a small mid-century house on the water. Earthtone hues in bathroom The Demich’s needed a whole house remodel, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a great room and all the floors needed to be addressed, as well as the tired, flat roofed exterior. The Demich’s pictured coming home to a contemporary cottage retreat, soothing...

Austria Passive House Update...

In an earlier blog post we mentioned the Austria House, which will be the party house for all things Austrian during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The house is designed and constructed to meet the rigorous Passive House standards.  At it’s essence, a passive  building will maintain a comfortable interior climate without an active heating and cooling system. Passive refers to the fact that the home will heat and cool itself. Our lead designer, Tessa Smith, visited the Austria House recently. Having gone through the Passive House training earlier this year, she knows...