Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, this home’s south-facing dec…
Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, this home’s south-facing deck is engineered to capture sunlight in winter months and offers expansive views year-round. Project: Vancouver Residence, Vancouver, Wash.; Builder: Hammer & Hand, Portland, Ore.; Architect: Scott | Edwards Architecture, Portland.
Jim Bartsch
An operable glass wall provides an airy element to balance out t…
An operable glass wall provides an airy element to balance out the visual heft of a built-in wall of books. The project was a 2012 Custom Home Design Award winner. Project: Goodman Residence, Venice, Calif.; Builder: Oliver Construction Co., Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Architect: Abramson Teiger Architects, Culver City, Calif.
Roman Torres
Even the master bath makes the most of this home’s wooded site…
Even the master bath makes the most of this home’s wooded site by offering windows at every vantage point. The space was also appointed with plenty of glassy surfaces that reflect the foliage and bring the natural scenery inside. Project: Lyons Residence, Gladwyne, Pa. Builder: SJ Design Build, Wynnewood, Pa.
David Matheson
This sleek, modern porch enclosure offers an update on the tradi…
This sleek, modern porch enclosure offers an update on the traditional garden trellis, acting as a spa-like transition space between a bedroom and the rest of the home. The project won a 2012 AIA Housing Award. Project: Carmel Residence, Carmel, Calif.; Architect: Dirk Denison Architects, Chicago.
David Matheson
A dramatic skylight floods this California home’s living space…
A dramatic skylight floods this California home’s living space with natural light while adding a bold sculptural element that maintains the design’s clean aesthetic. The project won a 2012 AIA Housing Award. Project: Carmel Residence, Carmel, Calif.; Architect: Dirk Denison Architects, Chicago.
From sheer beauty to the practical benefits of ventilation and natural heating and cooling, the benefits of bringing the outdoors into your homes are many. Integration with nature can make a small home feel spacious and offer spaces of all sizes a visual element that’s hard to beat. And if you’re thinking it can only be done in sun-soaked Southern California, think again. For a little inspiration, these projects offer ideas for opening up spaces of all kinds.
