History: Client was given a property, that was extremely difficult to build on, with a very steep, 25-30' drop. They tried to sell the property for many years, with no luck. They finally decided that they should build something on it, for themselves, to prove it could be done. No access was allowed at the top of the steep incline. Client assumed it would be an expensive foundation built parallel to the hillside, somehow. Program: The program involved a level for one floor living, (LR/DR/KIT/MBR/UTILITY) as an age-in-place for this recently retired couple. Any other levels should have additional bedrooms that could also feel like a separate AirBnB space, or allow for a future caretaker. There was also a desire for a garage with a recreational vehicle and regular car. The main floor should take advantage of the primary views to the southwest, even though the lot faces due west. Also a desire for easy access to an upper level trail and low maintenance materials with easy maintenance access to roof. The preferred style was a fresher, contemporary feel. Solution: A concept design was presented, initially desired by the client, parallel to the hillside, as they had originally envisioned. An alternate idea was also presented, that was perpendicular to the steep hillside. This avoided having difficult foundations on the steep hillside, by spanning... over it. It also allowed the top, main floor to be farther out on the west end of the site to avoid neighboring view blockage & to better see the primary southwest view. Savings in foundation costs allowed the installation of a residential elevator to get from the garage to the top, main living level. Stairs were also available for regular exercise. An exterior deck was angled towards the primary SW view to the San Juan Islands. The roof was originally desired to be a hip style on all sides, but a better solution allowed for a simple slope back to the 10' high east side for easier maintenance & access, since the west side was almost 50' high! The clients undertook this home as a speculative, temporary project, intending for it to add value, to sell. However, the unexpected solution, and experience in living here, has them wanting to stay forever.

This beautiful Vienna, VA home was expertly remodeled with a new porch, bringing a fresh look to this home's exterior. Our team completed this porch with new bright lights and light colors for the new columns. Landscaping stone was installed around the porch to complete this refreshing exterior remodel.

Updated Exterior
ロサンゼルスにある高級な小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (縦張り) の写真

他の地域にある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (下見板張り) の写真

シドニーにある高級な小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

Kaplan Architects, AIA Location: Redwood City , CA, USA View of the meditation room which faces into the natural landscape of oaks and grasses. Patrick Eoche Photography

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

This beautiful Vienna, VA home was expertly remodeled with a new porch, bringing a fresh look to this home's exterior. Our team completed this porch with new bright lights and light colors for the new columns. Landscaping stone was installed around the porch to complete this refreshing exterior remodel.

New build in Tring
バッキンガムシャーにある高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材サイディング、縦張り) の写真

Rocky Mountain Finishes provided the prefinished LP SmartSide siding, soffit, and trim; as well as the Trex composite decking.
他の地域にある高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (下見板張り) の写真

Updated Exterior
ロサンゼルスにある高級な小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (縦張り) の写真

Ground Floor Rear Extension Rebuild
ハートフォードシャーにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材屋根) の写真

This beautiful Vienna, VA home was expertly remodeled with a new porch, bringing a fresh look to this home's exterior. Our team completed this porch with new bright lights and light colors for the new columns. Landscaping stone was installed around the porch to complete this refreshing exterior remodel.

Rocky Mountain Finishes provided the prefinished LP SmartSide siding, soffit, and trim; as well as the Trex composite decking.
他の地域にある高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (下見板張り) の写真

Ground Floor Rear Extension Rebuild
ハートフォードシャーにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材屋根) の写真

Modern Asian house set in the temperate rainforest of South Vancouver Island
高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

History: Client was given a property, that was extremely difficult to build on, with a very steep, 25-30' drop. They tried to sell the property for many years, with no luck. They finally decided that they should build something on it, for themselves, to prove it could be done. No access was allowed at the top of the steep incline. Client assumed it would be an expensive foundation built parallel to the hillside, somehow. Program: The program involved a level for one floor living, (LR/DR/KIT/MBR/UTILITY) as an age-in-place for this recently retired couple. Any other levels should have additional bedrooms that could also feel like a separate AirBnB space, or allow for a future caretaker. There was also a desire for a garage with a recreational vehicle and regular car. The main floor should take advantage of the primary views to the southwest, even though the lot faces due west. Also a desire for easy access to an upper level trail and low maintenance materials with easy maintenance access to roof. The preferred style was a fresher, contemporary feel. Solution: A concept design was presented, initially desired by the client, parallel to the hillside, as they had originally envisioned. An alternate idea was also presented, that was perpendicular to the steep hillside. This avoided having difficult foundations on the steep hillside, by spanning... over it. It also allowed the top, main floor to be farther out on the west end of the site to avoid neighboring view blockage & to better see the primary southwest view. Savings in foundation costs allowed the installation of a residential elevator to get from the garage to the top, main living level. Stairs were also available for regular exercise. An exterior deck was angled towards the primary SW view to the San Juan Islands. The roof was originally desired to be a hip style on all sides, but a better solution allowed for a simple slope back to the 10' high east side for easier maintenance & access, since the west side was almost 50' high! The clients undertook this home as a speculative, temporary project, intending for it to add value, to sell. However, the unexpected solution, and experience in living here, has them wanting to stay forever.

Cura designed and gained planning approval for a subtle extension to a grade II listed house in Devon. The design culminated a long process of discussions and applications with Council Planning and was approved after a presentation was made by Cura Design at Planning Committee. The design consists of three distinct elements: 1. The refurbished cottage 2. Enclosing the historic courtyard with a glazed roof. 3. Refurbishing and extending the historic outbuilding.